When it comes to wine, you may be surprised just how much information there is out there. With so many different types across the world, it may seem difficult to really know all there is to know about wine. Luckily, the following article can be used as a guide to help you learn the basics of wine selection.
Try not to exclusively drink the best wine that you can find at all times. Sometimes, you will notice that some of the best tasting wines are medium grade and not the crème of the crop. Explore all types of wine and try them with different meals to determine your favorites.
Take a blind taste test of a few wines. Judge them on flavor, scent and boldness. Ignore the most sought after qualities like price or the winery’s region. Tasting blindly is a great way to get your honest opinion on the wine itself, without getting tricked by the hype that sometimes goes into certain varieties.
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.
Never fill your wine glass to the brim. This does not leave any space for you to swirl the wine around. When you move wine around, it releases an aroma and flavors that you would not have noticed otherwise. This means that a wine you only liked a little may actually be one of your favorites if served the right way.
A good tip when trying to research wines is to find a critic or expert that has a similar palate to you. Everyone’s tastes are different and that includes critics. Try to find a critic that likes similar wines and you’ll be amazed with all the new wines you’ll be introduced to.
If you are going to bring wine to a tailgate event, choose a bottle with a screw top. These tops are much easier to remove than the standard corks. You can also close them back up fairly easily when you are finished drinking.
Don’t fall for the trap that cheap wine is bad and expensive wine is good. There are exceptional inexpensive wines and wines that cost a small fortune that are difficult to drink. Experience as many different types as you can, no matter the price. WHo knows – you may find a favorite that is well within your everyday drinking budget.
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.
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.
When visiting a winery, be sure to plan out your trip in advance. Ensure that you will have a ride home from the winery, and set a firm budget for your visit. Draft some questions in advance and be prepared to articulate your preferences in wine.
If you are not too familiar with wine, make sure to shop at a wine store. While many grocery stores and even some convenient stores carry wine, they do not have the staff on hand who really understand wine. If you shop with professionals, you will have a better chance of finding the wine you want and gaining valuable information in the process.
Many red wines are matured in oak barrels for far longer than white wine would be. This adds tannins from the wood into the wine, creating a complex flavor. This would be too much for the subtle flavor of a white wine, so they are rarely aged in this manner.
If you are drinking wine at an event, there may be a toast. Because of this, you may be clinking your glass often. It may surprise you to know that there is an art to clinking glasses so they do not shatter. To avoid this, make sure you angle the glass slightly so you line up the bells and its rim points away from the glass of your partner.
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.
Screw cap wine bottles aren’t evidence of a poor quality wine. A lot of good quality varieties are being made with screw caps. They are finding out that they help keep wines much more pure. The bottle will not have as much air, and obviously, there will be minimal cork floating around. In fact, screw caps have become quite routine among bottlers in many countries.
It should be stated, that you aren’t going to become a wine connoisseur overnight. However, if you implement the advice mentioned in the article above, you will be well on your way towards understanding the differences between many wines. Before long, you will be an expert in the field of wine.
