Many people enjoy a nice wine with dinner, lunch or a sparkling bottle with brunch; the key is knowing what foods go best with which wines! The following article will cover a few basic tips on wines and how best to enjoy them. Learning about wine can be a very enjoyable past time; enjoy!
Buy only one bottle of each wine. If you find that you like a particular wine a great deal it can be very tempting to want to buy a lot of it at once to save money, but this is often a bad idea. Instead, buy only one to ensure that you do not fill your cellar with one type.
The longer you keep the white wine in the fridge, the more the coldness will affect both its smell and taste. Therefore, it is best to only chill wine for several hours prior to serving. This will maximize the taste and enjoyment that you will receive from each bottle you drink.
Don’t be afraid of participating in an online discussion forum. There are many great ones that are great places to get ideas from and interact with others that are passionate about wine. Prior to signing up, check out the board to make sure it “fits” you.
A good tip if you’re interested in learning more about wines is to simply do your homework on them. Do as much reading as you can about wines and the industry, and before you know it, you’ll be the most knowledgeable person about wines among all of your friends.
One of the fastest ways that you can chill a bottle of wine is to place it into a container that is filled with water and ice. Gently lower the bottle into this container and you will be able to chill it to drinking standards within 30 minutes or so.
Get creative when purchasing wine. Try a new wine to develop an appreciation for it as it travels over your taste buds. Read the shelf cards, try a wine from a different country or ask for a recommendation from the shop owner. The wine you find might be a hidden gem.
The idea that white wine must be chilled is simply a myth. Each white wine is a different taste and texture, so different temperatures are necessary. White wine is good while cold, while other wines maximize their taste when warm.
On one hand, respect the knowledge of wine experts, but don’t take their words unquestioningly. A good expert will admit that they don’t know everything. What they like might not be what you like. Therefore, always make up your own mind.
Champagne and sparkling wines should be served when they are very cold. At a room temperature, it is not possible to taste all the flavors. Store your champagne in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
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.
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.
Do not go out and buy cases of wine just because you like the taste of it. Many times people’s tastes change over time, which means that you may not like this particular wine forever. Buying it in bulk may have you stuck with a lot of wine that you no longer like.
Taste wines in an environment free of aromas. If you have food cooking, use candles or have other odors present when you are trying to taste a wine you will not get an accurate impression. Aromas will conflict with the taste and could leave you with a distaste for a wine you may have enjoyed otherwise.
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!
As you taste wine, try to isolate each aroma and flavor. Some wines will be rich with fruity aromas, while others might have floral notes. You may also notice secondary notes including smoke, honey or chocolate. Pay close attention to these scents so that you’re more able to find them.
Don’t stick to the old rules about which color wine goes with which food. Color is not as important as taste. There are some red wines, like certain pinot noirs, that taste great with fish. Other times, you may find a white wine complements your steak better than a red.
Break out of the pairings mythology. It’s not the case that reds only taste good with meats and whites only with fish. There are wines on both sides that pair up well with these dishes. Open up your mind to experimenting with these variations. Otherwise you may be limiting your creativity with wine!
Nothing compliments a good meal like a great glass of wine. Hopefully this article has proven valuable to you in learning the selection process. When paired up properly, a great wine can turn time at the table into a mini-celebration. Use these tips next time you are in a wine shop and enjoy!
