Are you a nervous wine shopper? A little knowledge can help you understand the subtle differences between a variety of wines. If choosing a wine makes you feel at a loss, you may just need to learn a little more about the subject. The information you find in this article can help.
Your wine must be stored properly for preservation of taste. Wines can be damaged by extremes in heat or cold, adversely affecting the flavor. Store your wine at 50-55 degrees to allow the flavor time to develop. If you have a cool basement, it is perfect for storing wine. You can also purchase a wine refrigerator for this purpose.
You can make a delicious sauce for beef dishes with wine. To make simply add a small amount of butter to a saucepan along with your favorite red wine. Simmer long enough for some alcohol to evaporate and allow the sauce to thicken. Once the sauce is ready, add just a bit to your beef dish.
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.
Young white wines are your best choice. This is not true of Chardonnay, however. That’s because usage of oak is rare in white wines. The opposite of this usually is true for wines that are darker, along with various other types of wine.
When tasting wine, you should avoid distractions as much as possible. Keep in mind that the presence of a strong smell in the room might influence how you perceive the aroma of the wine you are tasting. The temperature of the room and of the bottle you are tasting will also influence your impressions.
If you are not sure of what type of wine, you like, it would be a good idea to go to a wine tasting. This will give you the opportunity to taste a large variety of wines without having to spend a lot of money on entire bottles you may not like.
It may seem very enticing to fill your glass with wine all the way to the top. However, most people don’t understand that the proper way to serve wine is to fill the glass to about one third of the way. This enables the drinker to swirl the wine and fully distribute the taste.
If you are at a restaurant where the prices of the wine are outrageous, do not be ashamed to order beer. Sometimes, restaurants will jack up their prices knowing that the customer is coming to drink wine and will purchase it anyway. This can help save you a lot of money in the long run.
Remember that rules were made to be broken, even when it comes to selecting wine. Just because the “norm” indicates you should pair red wine with red meat and white with fish, chicken or salad, doesn’t mean it’s set in stone. Enjoy your meal with your favorite wine, no matter who says they go together!
If you are cooking with wine, don’t hesitate to ask the wine shop-owner/manager for advice. He or she has likely tasted most of the wines available, and can give you an educated suggestion for wines that will enhance your recipe. The shop may even have wine on hand for tasting.
Study up on the right temperatures to drink certain wines. Yes, a few degrees can make a major difference when it comes to a wine’s overall flavor. You may find your favorite wine is perfect at room temperature, but a few degrees warmer or cooler lowers its quality. Keep notes on these peculiarities so that you can make the right choices down the line.
If you want to surprise your guests with a delightful and daring choice, you should try serving a sparkling wine. More wineries are releasing their own sparkling wine, and you should be able to find a sparkling version of your favorite wine. A sparkling wine is perfect for a festive occasion if you do not want to serve champagne.
When you buy a different wine, take notes for future reference. There are so many different varieties of wine that it may be difficult to remember which ones you really like and which ones you do not care for as much. You may find it interesting to note how much your opinion of wines can change.
The best way to be prepared for drop-in guests is to keep a box of a variety of wines in a cool, dark place. Make sure not to put it in a place where the temperature fluxuates wildly as the bottles can go bad or even burst. A closet is a better choice than a basement for this reason.
Keep a notebook concerning the different thoughts you can try. This can go a long way towards learning what sort of palette you have and it can make choosing wines that you enjoy a whole lot easier. Carry a notepad everywhere to be sure.
Isn’t it funny how even a little bit of information can help you to develop your overall understanding of fine wines? Keep this advice handy whenever you take a shopping trip to buy wine. Then, you can easily refer back when you need a refresher. Armed with this information, you’ll be able to make a great choice.
