Wine has made its way into our lives for centuries and there are so many things you can learn about this great tasting drink. Getting the facts right is only half the fun and learning about how to serve, taste or enjoy wine can make your night complete. The following article will focus on some great tips that will help you enjoy your next bottle of wine!
Do not buy large quantities of a wine you like. Your preferences will change quickly as you discover new wines and you might regret spending your money on a wine you will eventually come to consider as average. Purchase small quantities and keep trying new wines to expand your horizons.
Try not to exclusively drink the best wine that you can find at all times. Sometimes, you will notice that some of the best tasting wines are medium grade and not the crème of the crop. Explore all types of wine and try them with different meals to determine your favorites.
Keep in mind that the color of the wine is not always the same as color of the grapes that are used to make it. The color results from the process of wine making and it is the skin of the grape used in the process that gives an individual wine its final color.
When you are tasting wine, go with your tastes. For example, do not trust a rave review of a type of wine that you know you don’t like. You might just end up wasting money on a wine you do not like.
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.
Bring along your wine resources with you to the store. There is so much information on wine out there, and bringing along different source materials can help you make better choices. Items like brochures, magazines, books, and websites have great information to pick the best wine for your plans.
Take a blind taste test of a few wines. Judge them on flavor, scent and boldness. Ignore the most sought after qualities like price or the winery’s region. Tasting blindly is a great way to get your honest opinion on the wine itself, without getting tricked by the hype that sometimes goes into certain varieties.
Purchase the Magnum bottles in the store, which are a bit larger, giving you the best bang for your buck. These wines will generally run for about 10 or 15 dollars, and will last a little bit longer for the price. This is a great way to maximize your monetary value of wine if you drink often.
Keep a wine journal. Write down the names of wines that you taste and what you think of them. Over time, this will develop into a great resource for you. It is also nice to look back and see where you came from and what direction you are headed in when it comes to your wine preferences.
Increase the shelf life of your wine by using a wine cellar. This is vital if you have wine that you spent a lot on. The cost of the cellar will more than pay for itself when it keeps your expensive wines from going bad.
Understand the types of fruits that are used in your wine and the ones that you like. This can go a long way in determining your favorite types of wines, as you can look at the content before you purchase. This will allow you to filter out the wines that do not have the ingredients you prefer.
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.
If you need to find a wine for an important occasion such as a wedding, it is best to have a small wine tasting party beforehand. Invite some of the guests and have them try different wines. Give them a large selection to choose from and do not hesitate to offer different options at the actual event.
Take notes on any wine that you try out. You aren’t going to really know what you are doing at first. However, over time, you will start noticing specific trends in your notes and reactions. You might even see that your reaction to particular wine’s changes as you drink more of them.
If you plan on pairing a wine with lasagna, try going with red wine. The higher acidity in these types of wines pair quite well with the tomato sauce that is usually in lasagna. Many lasagnas have ingredients like green peppers, and the flavor of a red wine can accentuate them.
It will be a lot easier to talk about wine with other connoisseurs if you master their vocabulary. There are specific words used to describe flavors and colors. You also need to familiarize yourself with different regions and wineries. Have an expert explain these terms to you and present you with a selection of wines to illustrate different examples.
As you’ve just read, there are so many facts and tips you may not have known about wine. What you’ve just learned is just the tip of the iceberg and there are many more out there! Use what you’ve discovered from this article to make your next gathering or family meal complete with a bottle of your favorite wine.
