When you make the decision to serve or order wine at a restaurant, it is important that you know quite a bit on the topic of wine. In order to gain a better understanding of wine in general, it is important to conduct some thorough research. The following article is equipped with some sound advice to help you do that.
When looking for a great bottle of wine, do not instantly go for the most expensive wines in the store. While the cost of a bottle is one indicator of the flavor and quality, there are also many others. Take the time to try a few inexpensive brands, and they just might surprise you!
If you buy boxed wine, you can filter this into a nice glass decanter to improve the way that it looks. This is a great trick that you can use if you have to serve friends at a party or dinner. This will allow you to save money while giving off an elegant image.
Keep a wine journal. Write down the names of wines that you taste and what you think of them. Over time, this will develop into a great resource for you. It is also nice to look back and see where you came from and what direction you are headed in when it comes to your wine preferences.
Don’t just go for wines that are expensive or highly-rated. This can be a real temptation if you have a lot of disposable income, especially when once you did not. Rather, drink a lot of styles of wine so you can choose the ones you personally consider the best. Fill your cellar with these, regardless of price, label or popular opinion.
If wine is your passion, make a point of touring wine growing regions. You will appreciate a wine in a different way once you see where the grapes grow. You can learn a ton about wine by going to a vineyard. You can enjoy your hobby and learn something.
Look around your local area for good wines. Wine is produced in ALL 50 states. You may find a great vineyard that you can take a day trip to. Supporting your local wine growers is great in itself; however, there are many gems being made right here at home that often go overlooked.
Eat pasta and chicken with white wine. White wine sets off these flavors best. That is because white wine tends to have a lighter taste than red wine, and won’t overpower the taste of a great fettucini alfredo or barbeque chicken. Experiment with different white wines to see which you like best.
Never hesitate to advise your sommelier of your spending limits. Many people think that this is inappropriate or embarrassing, but he or she is actually well-versed in the selection process based upon price. Allow a little leeway in the recommendation, but don’t break the bank over a non-existent social norm.
Visit a wine tasting festival next time one is held in your area. It’s a great way to enjoy the company of a few friends and can provide you with a mini-education on wines. Try different varieties and make sure you bring a notebook to mark down which types you really enjoyed!
Wine tasting can be a family affair. Ring the event a bit ahead of time to ask what the gathering will be like. You may find that some will welcome people both young and old at their events.
It just makes senses to take all advice and reviews from wine “experts” with a grain of salt. No expert in the world knows everything there is to know about wine, and the true experts will admit as much. Understand that a lot about the wine you choose will be personal preference.
A good tip if you’d like to save money on wine when dining out is to skip the wine by the glass. This is how a lot of restaurants make most of their money on wine but the consumer really misses out because most bottles are open for too long anyway.
Understand the aging process before you purchase a more expensive bottle of wine. Most wines that are age-sensitive cost a lot more, but are best enjoyed after a certain time. Some people expect the pricey wine to be delicious right off the shelf and this will not be the case with a better winery.
Do not buy wine only because it is a good deal. Many people will buy wines that are on special or have a bulk discount. Have you tried this wine? Have you done any research? Most have not and will make a purchase that will end up not being drunk, or passed over by guests.
When you are pouring your wine, try not to fill your glass up to the top. You only want to fill your glass about a third of the way to the top. This will allow the wine to mix properly and swirl so that the flavors can develop into their full richness.
Try thinking of wines like condiments, if you’re having trouble pairing them with foods. Would a dish be better with a little pepper? Pair it with a wine that is peppery and red. Select a wine with milder undertones if the dish is more suited to butter or lemon. By doing this, you are certain to combine wine and food correctly.
As you can see, there are a lot of areas that you need to learn about wine. There is a bit more to this fancy drink than what really meets the eye. Just apply and re-read the tips you’ve just read, and you will find yourself slowly becoming a wine connoisseur.
