Are you a novice when it comes to wine? Are you clueless about the difference between red and white wine, aside from color? Do wine ages confuse you? If you answered yes to these questions, then you’re in luck. There is enough information in this article to make you a wine expert.
Keep in mind that an expensive wine is not necessarily good. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to wine and you should not force yourself to drink expensive wines to appear sophisticated. There are plenty of delicious wines you can find at an affordable price. Try different varieties until you find something you really enjoy instead of judging wines in function of their prices.
If you are having oysters or seafood, stick to white wine. White wine is lighter and has a higher acidity level, so it is best to have this when you are eating lighter foods. Seafood is a perfect combination with white wine, and will help to maximize the sensation that you get.
Not all white wines should be chilled when served. Textures vary from one white wine to another, so they may taste better when served at varying temperatures. Sauvignon blanc tastes best cold, but chardonnay and pinot gris are best served a little warmer.
Age can be a negative factor in wine storage. Research your wine and find out if it will age well. Bordeaux is a wine that often ages well.
Many grapes for wines are grown on hills as they’re typically protected from frost there. At the same time, water won’t pool on a hill and drains away, keeping grapes safe from rot or over-watering. If you plan to make your own wine, plant your grapes on a hill which faces south.
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.
The biggest difference between red and white wines are the grapes that are used. Red wine is made of purple grapes that have a fuller body. On the other hand, white wines are made out of lighter green grapes. This is the main idea concerning the differences in the two wines.
Look around your local area for good wines. Wine is produced in ALL 50 states. You may find a great vineyard that you can take a day trip to. Supporting your local wine growers is great in itself; however, there are many gems being made right here at home that often go overlooked.
Most people enjoy pairing wine with a fancy dinner. However, it is imperative that you always choose the best tasting bottle of wine that you can afford. People often don’t realize that wine can make or break the quality of the dinner. When in doubt, it’s best if you don’t!
Don’t stick to the old rules about which color wine goes with which food. Color is not as important as taste. There are some red wines, like certain pinot noirs, that taste great with fish. Other times, you may find a white wine complements your steak better than a red.
Aim for wines that were produced in the 1960s and 1970s. These are generally the best types of wine, in addition to the fact that they have aged a good amount of time. If you see that you are accustomed to drinking wine from a certain period, explore other wines in that span of time.
Call to find out if you need reservations for wine tasting. Don’t assume that public events are first come, first served. You might need to reserve a spot.
Never hesitate to advise your sommelier of your spending limits. Many people think that this is inappropriate or embarrassing, but he or she is actually well-versed in the selection process based upon price. Allow a little leeway in the recommendation, but don’t break the bank over a non-existent social norm.
Buying wine online can be rewarding. Traveling can become expensive, which means visiting local vineyards and wineries in other states is not possible. By researching online, you can find not only great wineries, but also great deals as well. Buying online also gives you the ability to buy in bulk at better savings.
Buy your favorite wine by the case if you can afford to. Buying by the case can save you hundreds of dollars a year if you drink a lot of one particular wine. This is only a good idea, however, if you are certain that you would buy that much wine over time anyway.
Open red wine and leave it be for a few hours before you serve it. Oxygen and wine will have a glorious chemical reaction inside the bottle as it reaches room temperature. Additionally, it can help to bring out flavors that you would not taste if you drank it upon opening it.
When stocking your wine collection at home, opt to purchase experimental bottles before buying full cases. With such a vast number of different wines out there, you want to expose yourself to as many wines as possible before committing to a case. Keep your collection full of ‘educational’ bottles.
After reading this article, you don’t have to be clueless about wine any longer. Wine is a great beverage that has existed for many years, and it’s about time that you started enjoying it. Remember this article when you want to get some wine and you’ll have a flavor experience that you’ve never seen before.
