Few things in life have the ability to enchant and delight the way a perfect glass of wine can. In order to truly revel in the glories of the vine, it is necessary to take a bit of time and learn all you can about the subject. The article that follows is intended to help you do just that.
Look for a good wine by comparing ratings. Wines that have even the most modest of followings should be rated. You can easily find wines by rating online and usually in liquor stores as well. The higher the rating the better the wine should be in both quality and taste.
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.
Read up as much as you can on wine through books and magazines. In these works, you will find that some of the best wine connoisseurs in the world rate some of the most popular wines. This will help you to decide what wines you want to buy if you have yet to try them.
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.
Even though white wines should be thoroughly chilled when you drink them, you should avoid storing them in a refrigerator for weeks at a time. The best thing to do is to keep them at room temperature and refrigerate them an hour or two before you plan on serving them.
Do not limit yourself to countries that are known for exporting wines such as Spain or France. In fact, some of the best wines on the market are from Argentina or from New Zealand. You should not form your opinion of a country after tasting only a couple different wines.
Vintage is not when the wine was created, but rather the year that the grapes were harvested. 2010 wines will have autumn grape harvest in 2010. The wine is fermented to give it the taste that you get in the end product. The bottle of wine would end up in the stores around 2011 or 2012!
The Internet will give you a lot of information in regards to wine types, the years, the flavors and where you can get it. Consider printing these pages and bringing them with you when you go wine shopping. Compare notes, and ask store employees for recommendations. Do not be afraid to ask questions if you want to go home with the best bottle of wine.
If you are out on a date or with someone you want to impress, do not order a wine that you have not had before. Try to order wine that you are familiar with, or know that you like. Be adventurous in your own time, when you are not out in public.
The body of a wine is a great way to pair it with a dish. The “body” of a wine refers to how substantial the wine is. It often also correlates with the alcohol content, with fuller-bodied wine containing more alcohol than a lighter wine. Heavier dishes should be paired with a full-bodied wine, as a lighter wine runs the risk of tasting watery when paired with something like a hearty steak.
Do not suffocate your wine, as it needs air too. Pour the wine in a carafe or a decanter. Pour a little wine in your container. Let it stand for 10 minutes. Sample both the wine from the bottle and wine that was exposed to the air. You’ll notice a huge change.
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.
Visit a wine tasting festival next time one is held in your area. It’s a great way to enjoy the company of a few friends and can provide you with a mini-education on wines. Try different varieties and make sure you bring a notebook to mark down which types you really enjoyed!
Use Evernote as your wine note taking application. There’s many ways you can keep track of your wine adventures, but Evernote lets you pair images and text together. This way you can have an image of the wine’s label along with your opinions on it all in one place! Plus, Evernote is available on nearly every digital platform, so your notes stay with you.
When shopping for wine, look for bottles you will drink. Do not let an expert or a seller influence your purchase. There is no use in spending your money on an expensive bottle if you will not have the occasion to drink it or might not enjoy this particular wine.
On your next restaurant outing, avoid paying too much for a bottle of Chardonnay. It is America’s favorite wine, and restaurants often take advantage of its popularity by charging more than it’s really worth. Consider affordable and other great-tasting alternatives such as Grüner-Veltliner or something less popular like Riesling.
Need a lot of wine for a big wedding, party or other event? Consider buying Cava, which comes from Spain. This affordable style of wine never disappoints with its flavor, texture or price. There are many brands available, which will impress your guests and keep your budget well balanced, too.
Wine has the unique ability to enhance and improve most of life’s experiences. Learning all you can about wine is a great way to make your wine drinking experience even better than you thought possible. The piece above should have given you a head start on your journey to becoming a true expert.
