When it comes to wine, you may be surprised just how much information there is out there. With so many different types across the world, it may seem difficult to really know all there is to know about wine. Luckily, the following article can be used as a guide to help you learn the basics of wine selection.
When you drink a bottle of wine, make sure that you do not throw it out, even if you have a small amount left. Wine can stay good for a long period of time and you never know when you may have a craving for that type of wine in the future.
When buying wine as a gift, consider pairing it with food of some sort. A nice basket containing some chocolate and wine or fine cheese and wine makes a wonderful gift. It gives the recipient some meal ideas, and can provide for a wonderful atmosphere at a festive event.
Do not be a wine snob when it comes to new wines. You may turn up your nose to white wine when it is offered to you, only because you had one or two bad glasses the first time around. Not all wines are created equal. You will find wines to suit your taste throughout the wine rainbow.
Choose your food and wine pairings carefully. Typically, white wine is suitable for light dishes, salads or fish. Red wine goes well with heavier dishes and dark meats. The rule of thumb is the heavier or darker the dish, the darker the wine that you choose. If you have having a multi-course dinner, start with white wine and progress to red wine.
Look for online forums of people with similar loves for wine. This is especially true if you live in an area that doesn’t have tastings and clubs. It’s important to find a voice among friends with similar interests. Then, you can learn of new wines to try and share opinions on new pairings and more.
Sparkling wines and champagne need to be served very cold. The temperature may influence the body. Store your champagne in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
Believe it or not, the glass you choose to drink your wine out of can have a major affect on your drinking experience. You want a glass whose bowl is round so that the aroma can develop. Also, the top should taper inward; this prevents its essence from getting out.
An post dinner drink is the perfect ending to a meal, so choose a nice, rich dessert wine. Some examples of great dessert wines include French Champagne, Italian Moscato, or California Port. Your guests will love to drink a glass of wine near the fire.
Have a basic idea of what kind of wine you like. Even if you are not sure of what brand, winery or region you prefer, it is pretty easy to determine if you prefer a blush, red or white. By knowing just this basic fact, you can more easily determine which wines are worth trying for your next meal.
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.
Carry a map or some sort of direction for your given area. Some of the best wine venues are incredibly organized and easy to navigate, while others are chaotic and will lose you in the twits-and-turns. Print off a map of your designated area, and you’ll never miss that perfect shop just around the bend.
Here is a little bit of wine history for you: wine has been around for as long as 7,000 years! Egyptians are the first civilization we know of to have records of drinking wine, and those date back to 2,500 B.C. They created wines much like we do today, including bottling the beverage and storing it.
When you are hunting for that great price on a great selection, the discount bottles will be just what you are looking for. The various venues will lower the price for whatever reason and place the same, expensive bottle on the racks for a discounted price. Keep an eye open and you might spot an amazing deal on an amazing flavor.
Search for online information about different wines. Look for a wine discussion forum and read the comments until you feel confident enough to add your own ideas. If you are unfamiliar with international wines, this is a great place to find information. You can gain enough information to try a few wines you would not otherwise have considered.
When you are pouring your wine, try not to fill your glass up to the top. You only want to fill your glass about a third of the way to the top. This will allow the wine to mix properly and swirl so that the flavors can develop into their full richness.
When you are hunting for a magical bottle of the perfect wine, keep in mind the occasion you are serving and the food that will accompany it. There are different bottles that work well with some foods while others won’t agree. Your wine selection should be food-friendly to guarantee maximum enjoyment.
A good tip if you’re an avid wine lover is to consider bringing your own wine to restaurants when you plan on dining out. This can be a great idea if a particular restaurant doesn’t carry the type of wine you’re looking for. You usually only have to pay for corkage.
It should be stated, that you aren’t going to become a wine connoisseur overnight. However, if you implement the advice mentioned in the article above, you will be well on your way towards understanding the differences between many wines. Before long, you will be an expert in the field of wine.
