With regards to wine, we could all stand to know a bit more than we actually do. Being an expert in wine is a tell tale way to show off your sophistication, but this is much easier said that done. Luckily, the following article has a wealth of information that will help you learn all there is to learn about wine.
All wines do not taste good while at the same temperature. White wines are better when they are cold, while red wines should be a little below room temperature. Drinking them at the wrong temperature can change the way they are supposed to take, which may change your overall opinion.
Bring along your wine resources with you to the store. There is so much information on wine out there, and bringing along different source materials can help you make better choices. Items like brochures, magazines, books, and websites have great information to pick the best wine for your plans.
Even though white wines should be thoroughly chilled when you drink them, you should avoid storing them in a refrigerator for weeks at a time. The best thing to do is to keep them at room temperature and refrigerate them an hour or two before you plan on serving them.
Choose your food and wine pairings carefully. Typically, white wine is suitable for light dishes, salads or fish. Red wine goes well with heavier dishes and dark meats. The rule of thumb is the heavier or darker the dish, the darker the wine that you choose. If you have having a multi-course dinner, start with white wine and progress to red wine.
Left over wine is wonderful for cooking. When you’re down to the bottom of the bottle, do not throw it out. Instead, reseal the bottle and save it for your next meal. You can use the wine to make a sauce for pasta, flavor meat or add to your special stew recipe.
Champagne and sparkling wines should be served when they are very cold. You are not going to get the full spectrum of flavors if you drink these beverages at room temperature. Put your champagne inside a good refrigerator to serve it chilled.
Take the time to plan if you are thinking about going to a winery. Have a designated driver, and know your spending limit before you go. Make sure you are well prepared with questions and preferences prior to your visit.
When dining out, don’t be afraid to ask your server if there is a wine expert in the house! Chances are good that someone will have the perfect recommendation to complement your meal. Tell them what you are having and give them a general price range, and you should find yourself with a great bottle to go with the meal.
Take digital photos of wine labels and store them with your notes. Your wine hobby will take you to dozens of tasting and hundreds of wines. At some point, it’s going to get a bit overwhelming and confusing. These photos – when paired with notes- will help keep your knowledge on track.
Most people enjoy pairing wine with a fancy dinner. However, it is imperative that you always choose the best tasting bottle of wine that you can afford. People often don’t realize that wine can make or break the quality of the dinner. When in doubt, it’s best if you don’t!
To really get the most of your glass of wine, you will want to sniff it twice. The first time, take a long, slow whiff from right outside of the glass. The second time, take a sniff with your nose inside of the glass. You will see how much better the wine tastes when you do this.
While there will always be certain varieties of wine that you are comfortable with, never be afraid to branch out and try new things. You will develop new preferences as you taste different wines and mature as a wine connoisseur. Try a new bottle if the clerk recommends the selection and you might be pleasantly surprised.
When you are hunting for that great price on a great selection, the discount bottles will be just what you are looking for. The various venues will lower the price for whatever reason and place the same, expensive bottle on the racks for a discounted price. Keep an eye open and you might spot an amazing deal on an amazing flavor.
Wine can be saved. Once you finish drinking from the bottle for the evening, close it back up and refrigerate it. The wine should be good for about a day. If you leave it out at room temperature, however, it will eventually go bad because bacteria can grow. There are no hard and fast rules about how long wine is good for, so use your palate to guide you and refrigerate as soon as you know you are finished drinking.
Search for online information about different wines. Look for a wine discussion forum and read the comments until you feel confident enough to add your own ideas. If you are unfamiliar with international wines, this is a great place to find information. You can gain enough information to try a few wines you would not otherwise have considered.
Hopefully, you now understand just how much information is involved when it comes to wine. This article is by no means the end of your education, however, when you use the advice given you are well on your way towards becoming a wine connoisseur. Just remember to enjoy yourself while you learn!