Have you ever cooked with wine before, or have you ever coveted that nice little wine collection you’ve seen in other homes. Would you like to know what you’re talking about when it comes to wine. Well, keep reading to find out a little more information to make things easier on you.
Do not judge a wine on its year of production alone. Just because a wine was made a long time ago does not mean that it is a quality wine. Be sure to investigate the wine thoroughly so that you are not fooled into paying top dollar for a bottom shelf wine.
If you want to keep wine for long periods of time, you should consider investing in a wine refrigerator. Even if you have a dry and cool basement you can use, temperature will still vary slightly from one season to the next. The wine you store will keep its flavors if it remains at the exact same temperature.
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.
If you are buying wine for a tailgate event, consider purchasing a bottle that has a screw top. Screw tops are easier to manage than corks, and they do not require a wine opener. If any wine remains after the party, a lid seals more effectively than a cork.
When you order wine in a restaurant, be adventurous. If it is your desire to make a good impression on your dinner companions, you should select a wine that they are not familiar with. They will not know what to expect and the high price will not surprise them.
Expensive wines should not be your exclusive choice. If you are really looking to find new wines that meet your tastes you should experiment with wines from all price points and ratings. Sticking with expensive wines is a waste of money and could prevent you from finding the perfect wine for you.
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.
When cooking with wine, let your recipe help guide your choice. If you are simply using wine to de-glaze a pan, a splash of just about anything will do. However, if wine is a main ingredient, such as in Coq au Vin, you may want to splurge a little to do the dish justice.
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.
Only buy wines you enjoy. Many bars try to promote particular brands because of their markup. However, these typically are priced as much as twenty times wholesale. A high price doesn’t necessarily equate to better wine. Know the kind of wine you like and order that.
Allow yourself to be a little adventurous when shopping for wine. While it is really easy to stick to the tried and true wines from France or California, there are some fantastic varieties to be found all over the world. By stretching your boundaries just a little, you might find a wine that you really love!
Try to taste and smell every separate note of the wine. Concentrate hard, and you may pick out a note of fruit or flowers. You might be able to pick up on a hint of honey or caramel. Focus on these different aromas so you can more easily identify them.
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!
Don’t bother to get expensive wine if you are cooking with it. Most of the wine’s alcohol content cooks off as you make your dish, and the other ingredients will add taste to whatever wine you choose. Save the expensive stuff to drink separately when you sit down to your meal.
Price is not synonymous with quality when it comes to wine. Many wines have increased prices due to outside investment sources and start-up costs. They’re not always priced based on reputation or quality. Be sure to use your resources when shopping for a wine to give you a better idea of pricing and what to look for.
Champagne is a great choice for many occasions. Many people only associate champagne with those special events. The truth is that champagne actually pairs wonderfully with many foods. It is a great palate cleanser. Champagne goes particularly well with salty foods.
You are definitely ready to use everything you’ve learned now right? Of course you are, and the information should definitely come in handy. You might want to serve that special red wine to your guest or use that specific white wine to cook a certain meal. It’s time to get started!
