For centuries, wine has been enjoyed by countless individuals. To get the most enjoyment out of the act of drinking wine, a bit of knowledge is essential. Spend some time reviewing the advice below, and you can soon become a true connoisseur and relish each and every drop of wine you drink.
When buying wine, do not make the mistake of believing a wine has to be expensive to be tasty. There are many wines out there that taste great and are reasonably priced. If you are not sure you like a particular variety of wine, it is a good idea to try an inexpensive bottle.
If you enjoy cooking, try incorporating wine into your dinner menu. Wine can be used in a variety of cooking formats including sauces and marinades. If you have small children, you need not be concerned about cooking with wine as most of the alcohol is cooked out during the cooking process.
Select the right glasses when tasting wine or serving it. It is best to use a clear glass so you can look at the color of the wine. Choose a glass with a long stem and a round shape so you can easily swirl the wine. You should avoid using glasses that can contain more than twenty two ounces.
Leftover wine should not be saved for any more than four days. When wine comes in contact with oxygen, it starts to break down. This greatly effects the taste and balance. It is best to use any wine you have leftover for cooking instead of drinking it as it is.
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.
Get to as many wine tastings as you possibly can. Taste as many different kinds of wine as you can, and you learn a lot in the process. Not only will you learn about the various kinds of wine, you also learn about wine in general and how to learn good wines from bad very quickly. Just remember that you need to spit!
If you have a lot of wine in your cellar, you may want to invest in an inventory management system. This will track the types of wine that you have in your cellar and how old they are at a given time. Compartmentalizing wine into a database can make your storage capabilities very efficient.
If you often find yourself stumped when you visit the wine store, consider purchasing an app for your smart phone. These apps are generally inexpensive, and they can provide valuable information such as reviews of various wines or pairing ideas for certain dishes. They are very user friendly, and you will always have the information you need on hand once you purchase your app.
If you want to visit a winery, you should plan your visit in advance. Make sure you have a drive home afterwards, just in case. You should write up a list of the things you would like to know before you go, and be sure to think about the type of wine you love so the winery can make suggestions.
No two stores are exactly the same, so when you are hunting for that perfect wine, know what you that perfect wine is and know what the stores are serving. Reading the latest reviews and offerings from the local selections helps give you a better feel for what lies within their cellar. Knowing what the store offers will help narrow down the selection process to a few names that work!
Don’t fall for marketing strategies. Many eateries or bars push their own labels. These wines may be overpriced, some twenty times their normal wholesale cost. A high price is no guarantee of a high quality wine. Find out what you enjoy and then stick to that.
When dining out, don’t be afraid to ask your server if there is a wine expert in the house! Chances are good that someone will have the perfect recommendation to complement your meal. Tell them what you are having and give them a general price range, and you should find yourself with a great bottle to go with the meal.
You should have some clear goals in mind when shopping for wine. Establish a budget and make a list of the different occasions you will need wine for. Shopping for wine can be a lot of fun but do not get carried away by an enthusiastic seller who presents your wines you will have no use for.
Always check the label of the wines you buy. This is a good way to get an idea of where the wine comes from, how popular it is and sometimes you will an accurate description of its taste and aroma. You will eventually identify your favorite distributors and recognize the best wines at a glance.
Many different factors go into the pricing behind a great bottle of wine. Your favorite locations, such as Spain may drive a hard bargain for a great selection, but there are alternatives. Nearby areas surrounding your preferred locale may also reveal a delectable flavor for a much lower price than the neighbor.
As you know, how you chill your wine can affect the taste as well as the aroma. However, wine is best served cold before a special occasion. Store the bottle of wine in a bucket filled with ice. This will chill the bottle in thirty minutes and it will be ready for serving.
Wine has long been a staple to cultures and civilizations the world over. However, to really optimize the wine drinking experience, it is important to familiarize yourself with everything you can pertaining to wine. By keeping the above information close at hand, you will be able to do just that and enter a world of sheer pleasure.
