Do you hear others talking about wine and you have no clue what they are talking about? Read this guide to learn how to hang with the experts. While you won’t become an expert overnight, following these tips religiously will put you far ahead of the rest of the pack.
Attend as many wine tastings that you can during the course of the year. This can be very beneficial for you as it allows you to get an idea of some of the newer wines that are on the market. This will help you to gain a better appreciation for all wine has to offer.
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.
Don’t be afraid of sulfite warnings. There are sulfites in all wines, but distributors in America are the only ones required to put it on the labels. Sulfites may trigger allergic reactions however, you needn’t worry about this if you’ve never experienced such reactions before.
If you are going to buy wine for tailgating, buy one that has a screwtop. Screw tops can be much easier to manage. The ability to securely re-seal the bottle also comes in handy.
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.
If you notice that you are drinking wine each and every night, take a few nights off. The last thing that you will want to do is become jaded with the taste of wine. After this time period elapses, incorporate wine into your regime again and watch how great it will taste.
Try to have fun with your wine and the different tastes that you have available. You may spend time analyzing the distinctions of each wine and the pairings for which they are best suited. Don’t take things too seriously, though. Enjoy the flavor and effect of each glass of wine!
When you are in a restaurant, do not feel too shy about ordering a wine that is not the most expensive. Sommeliers choose great wines for the restaurants they work for, which means that the more inexpensive choices should taste just as good as the ones that cost quite a bit.
Make sure that the bottle is very cold when you open it. This will yield much better wine taste, especially if you are serving a large group of people. Obviously, wine will get cold once the bottle is opened, and it is at room temperature, so ascertain that it is cold upon opening.
You should enjoy wine tasting in a serene and calm surrounding. If you want to capture the real flavor of wine, the ambiance should be soothing. Don’t be distracted by shiny lights or loud noises. Concentrate on the wine only.
Toasts are quite common at social gatherings where wine is involved. If that happens, prepare to clink your wine glass. The problem is, when done incorrectly, the glass can break. To avoid this, angle it slightly so that your bells are aligned and that the rim is pointed away from the other person’s glass.
Want to know how grappa is made? Grape skins, called pomace, which remain from making wine are distilled. This ferments them to create a very strong beverage which is perfect as an aparatif or digestif. Want a real kick in your coffee? Add some grappa for a real wake-me-up in the morning!
Pair spicy foods with sweet wines. Especially with the heat of Thai and Indian food, you will want to stick with dry white and red wines that are sweet. Some great pairings include Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, and Riesling. If you choose Riesling, try going with a German brand since their higher acidity doesn’t make the sweetness seem as apparent. These wines act as palate cleansers to help you enjoy the spiciness of the meal.
Let any recently uncorked wine breathe for a bit. Giving the wine time to settle helps bring out the rich flavors of the beverage. Use a decanter for this. Pour the wine into one and then let it sit for about a quarter of an hour. You’ll find the wine much more delicious after doing so.
If a wine tasting is in your future, check to see if reservations are required. It is a common misconception that you can just show up for a wine tasting, but there is usually limited space available. Do not show up to just be sent home.
Many wineries allow children to attend wine tasting events; however, some do not allow children. To ensure you are following the rules, call ahead and ask. Many are geared towards adults, but some have beverages and activities for loved ones of all ages.
Champagne has a variety of different uses other than formal occasions. Champagne is associated with toasts, so it is often overlooked as a complementary beverage. In reality, champagne is great with a lot of foods. The light and slight acidic flavor, as well as the bubbles, help cleanse the palate. Champagne pairs especially well with salty snacks and foods.
There is nothing more embarrassing than being in the company of people that know more about something than you do. This is why you should study all of the information that is included in this article. The next time there is a discussion about wine, you should be ready to join in the talk.
