The simplicity of enjoying wine starts with a foundation of knowledge. That foundation begins when you seek out an education. Your wine education can begin today by reading this article in full and gathering the advice within for your own use. This will lead to many years of great enjoyment.
Avoid over chilling white wines. Many wine drinkers will buy a bottle of their favorite white and return home to pop it in the fridge. While chilling whites is important, too much cold will diminish flavors in the wine; sometimes the most important ones. Target a temperature around 60 degrees up to 68 degrees to achieve the prime flavor.
Allow red wines to warm up. Often, red wines are stored at temperatures near 60 degrees. The best temperature for serving red wines is above 70 degrees, which allows the full body of the wine to be present. When you open a bottle of red, allow it to sit and come to room temperature before drinking.
Do not be frightened of the sulfite warnings stated on the wine labels. U.S. companies have to put these warnings on their bottles. Sulfites may trigger allergic reactions however, you needn’t worry about this if you’ve never experienced such reactions before.
Do not limit yourself to countries that are known for exporting wines such as Spain or France. In fact, some of the best wines on the market are from Argentina or from New Zealand. You should not form your opinion of a country after tasting only a couple different wines.
Sangrias have become popular recently. To make the perfect sangria combine your favorite red wine along with lemon and orange slices. Then, stir in 2 tablespoons of fine sugar and a shot of brandy. Pour the mixture into a wine glass and add in a small amount of lemon-lime soda, ginger ale or club soda.
Experiment and have fun with the different varieties of wine. Often, you will break down and analyze every aspect of wine, from its flavors and construction to what wine works appropriately with certain meals. Have a great time, open your mind and relish each wine.
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.
Remember that wine shops can vary as much as wines themselves. Each one has a different set of priorities, product list and pricing structure. If you are very new to wine and setting foot in a place where the cheapest bottle is $60, you should look for a lower-end store where you can discover your palate and favorite brands.
If you are cooking with wine, don’t hesitate to ask the wine shop-owner/manager for advice. He or she has likely tasted most of the wines available, and can give you an educated suggestion for wines that will enhance your recipe. The shop may even have wine on hand for tasting.
What is a wine which comes from a late harvest? Just that! The grapes were allowed to ripen fully on the vine, typically allowing them to fall prey to a dehydrating mold which causes them to be very sweet. These wines are high in alcohol and sugar, leading to a sweet, strong flavor which you can easily enjoy.
If you enjoy a glass of fruity wine, why not try out a blackberry Merlot. Merlot wines are the most popular red wines on the market today. Merlot wines offer hints of fruit flavors along with hints of cedar. If you are looking for a delicious fruity wine, give Merlot a try today!
Before visiting your favorite restaurant and mulling over which wine to chose, check out their website. Most fine dining establishments will post their wine list on the site, leaving you plenty of time to investigate the possibilities. Consider your entree in advance and research the wine that will best complement it.
Just because a bottle of wine has a screw-on top, don’t shun it automatically in favor of one with a cork. Many good brands use screw caps. The wine often tastes better in this type of bottles. Less air can get into the wine, and there is definitely less cork bobbing around in the bottle. Many countries now use this method of corking as the standard.
When it comes to stocking your wine cellar, avoid filling it with cases upon cases of your favorite wines. Over time, your tastes will change so be sure that your cellar is full of variety so that you’ll always have a bottle that you are currently in the mood for.
Learn how to read the label to make sure you get exactly what you want with a particular wine. More modern wines have labels that clearly describe the flavor and composition of the contents, whereas old country makers are vague and leave you guessing. Pick up a handy guide to bring with you and be guaranteed of getting a wine you’ll enjoy!
Red wine is a great choice when eating red meats such as steak or beef dishes. Drinking red wine with these foods can really help to bring out the flavor of both the meal and the wine. You can also use the red wine while cooking to help add to the flavor of the meat.
With all of this advice under your belt, you’re sure to know more about wine now. This will allow you to be a better sommelier in your own home, at a friend’s house or elsewhere. This will lead to many more delicate glasses of wine gracing your lips and a great deal of enjoyment ensuing.
