Wine is complicated and there is so much to learn about it. There is plenty of information sources for wine lovers. Use this article in conjunction with others to learn the basics of wine. Pay attention and you can be sure your next dinner or party will be a success.
If you are new to wine tasting, you should know that true connoisseurs actually spit the wine after tasting it. Spitting the wine is the best way to avoid overpowering your taste buds so you can keep tasting other wines. Take a small sip of wine, wait a few seconds to feel all its different flavors and spit it.
Attend all the wine tastings you can. These events can help you get out of your wine comfort zones. It can even be a social event. Take along friends that enjoy wine as well. You will have fun with your guests while learning new things about wine.
If you are having red meats, stick to red wine. This is the general principle, and should rarely be veered away from. Red wine helps to bring out the flavor in the steak or meat that you choose and vice versa, giving you the best possible experience while you are eating lunch or dinner.
Allow red wines to warm up. Often, red wines are stored at temperatures near 60 degrees. The best temperature for serving red wines is above 70 degrees, which allows the full body of the wine to be present. When you open a bottle of red, allow it to sit and come to room temperature before drinking.
If you find a wine, you enjoy a lot, consider buying a case or two of it. A case of wine is almost always less expensive per bottle than buying each bottle individually. You can keep the wine for yourself and enjoy it on a regular basis, or you can have it on hand to give as gifts.
A good tip if you're interested in learning more about wines is to simply do your homework on them. Do as much reading as you can about wines and the industry, and before you know it, you'll be the most knowledgeable person about wines among all of your friends.
A nice Pinot Noir is a wonderful wine to use when having a dinner party. This wine pairs very easily with a variety of foods and side dishes, and it is not too bold or sweet. This is also a type of wine that many people are familiar with, meaning your guests are more likely to enjoy it.
Go to wine tastings when you can. Wine tastings are the best place to test your pallet against the many different types and brands of wine. You can even find some that are free, but do remember to spit your wine. You can not accurately tell the taste of a wine once you begin to become intoxicated.
There is no way of telling when a wine will reach its peak. A lot of bottles are made to be enjoyed immediately and stored bottles will reach their peak at different times in function of storage conditions. You can sometimes get an estimate from an expert who has enjoyed bottles of the same wine.
A great tip if you're a wine lover is to make a trip to wine country and see for yourself how all of your favorite wines are made. Wine country is beautiful to visit, and you'll also appreciate the wines you enjoy more while learning lots of interesting knowledge about them.
If you often find yourself stumped when you visit the wine store, consider purchasing an app for your smart phone. These apps are generally inexpensive, and they can provide valuable information such as reviews of various wines or pairing ideas for certain dishes. They are very user friendly, and you will always have the information you need on hand once you purchase your app.
If you are not too familiar with wine, make sure to shop at a wine store. While many grocery stores and even some convenient stores carry wine, they do not have the staff on hand who really understand wine. If you shop with professionals, you will have a better chance of finding the wine you want and gaining valuable information in the process.
Don't make the common mistake of stocking your wine cellar with just the wines you currently enjoy. While it is tempting to stock up, you will probably enjoy something different in a short period of time. Therefore, you may enjoy a particular wine right now, but it is possible that you might not later. Ultimately, you'll have a bunch of wine you aren't drinking, which is wasteful in both money and space terms.
Be adventurous when you are pairing new wines with your meals. You may be surprised at which dishes pair well with which wines. Yes, it is possible to be conservative, but the wonder of being an oenophile is the benefit of trying new tastes.
Don't think less of wines with screw caps. More wineries are choosing to use screw caps as opposed to the traditional corks. These can actually improve the purity of the beverage. Not as much air is able to get in. Many countries now use this method of corking as the standard.
Many different factors go into the pricing behind a great bottle of wine. Your favorite locations, such as Spain may drive a hard bargain for a great selection, but there are alternatives. Nearby areas surrounding your preferred locale may also reveal a delectable flavor for a much lower price than the neighbor.
Now that you have a handle on the basics, it should be simple to expand your knowledge on your own. Though there are some things you should take into consideration, your preference is what is important. Learn the basics of how to select a certain wine with meals, then let your personal taste guide you. Keep what you've read here in mind as well.
Orignal From: More Than A Grape: Useful Wine Advice
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