A lot of people drink wine, but don’t know a lot about wine. Don’t let that be you. With just a little information, you can be a true wine connoisseur. The following tips are here for that purpose, and can help you know a bit more about the drink you enjoy.
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.
If you are new to wine tasting, you should know that true connoisseurs actually spit the wine after tasting it. Spitting the wine is the best way to avoid overpowering your taste buds so you can keep tasting other wines. Take a small sip of wine, wait a few seconds to feel all its different flavors and spit it.
Make a habit of trying new wines as often as you can. You will have the best chances of finding a wine that suits your tastes if you take the time to experiment with them. Everyone has different tastes, so just because a wine is said to be excellent does not mean that you will enjoy it, so get out there and try them.
Trust your gut and your own particular taste when buying wine. If you do not like a wine that a friend does, do not buy it. You’ll just be wasting money with a purchase that you thought you would dislike anyway.
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.
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.
Make sure that you designate the proper wine glasses for reds and whites. Narrow glasses are used for white wine because it helps to prevent warm air from making contact with the wine. Wide glasses are preferable when you are serving red wine. This lets air reach the wine, awakening rich flavors that would otherwise remain dormant.
Go to wine tastings when you can. Wine tastings are the best place to test your pallet against the many different types and brands of wine. You can even find some that are free, but do remember to spit your wine. You can not accurately tell the taste of a wine once you begin to become intoxicated.
There is no way of telling when a wine will reach its peak. A lot of bottles are made to be enjoyed immediately and stored bottles will reach their peak at different times in function of storage conditions. You can sometimes get an estimate from an expert who has enjoyed bottles of the same wine.
In order to fully taste the wine, you have to be able to smell it. Make sure that your nose is as clear as possible prior to doing a tasting. Once you have the glass in your hand, lean your face down toward it so that your nose is partially in the glass. Make sure you smell using both the right and the left nostril.
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.
Don’t be afraid to try something new. Once a particular wine catches on with the public, it is often found in mass on the market. It can be hard to find a good wine when there are so many sub-par labels on the shelves. To combat this problem, try wine from lesser known regions. You may be surprised at the quality.
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!
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.
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.
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!
No one can be a conoisseur overnight, but now that you have these tips you are that much closer to being a wine pro. Just use the tips in your everyday life to help you think of wine in a new way. You will be sure to be rewarded; enjoy!
