Impressing friends often starts with a knowledge of wine. There is a large amount of information available about wine and this article is a good beginning. Keep reading for a lot of great information regarding wine.
If you are looking for a good deal on wine, try to purchase it from the rack at a liquor store. Generally, you will find that these are the items that are on sale or the dealer wants to get rid of the fastest. The quality of these wines has not dissipated though, so you can score a great deal this way.
Purchase your inexpensive wines from a warmer climate. While there is no one rule for buying wines, in general, those from warmer climates have the most flavor and appeal. Consider France, California and regions in Australia when making your selection. This is a great way to make a quick choice in the grocery store and come home with a bottle that your guests are likely to enjoy.
If you are going to buy wine for tailgating, buy one that has a screwtop. The reason is because you can manage screw tops easier than corks because you don’t need a wine opener to open it. You can also close them back up fairly easily when you are finished drinking.
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.
If you are venturing into trying new wines, it is better to get an experimental bottle over a whole case. Given the wide variety of wines and styles out there, single educational bottles are a great idea whenever drinking something new for the first time. If you like the taste, move up to a half-case.
Find someone who can help you identify wines to try. This can be either a merchant who earns your trust through good recommendations, or a wine expert who seems to have a palate close to your own. Their ideas can keep you trying new wines without just picking bottles randomly.
Don’t be afraid to play with the temperature of your wine. Some wine is best chilled, while others taste wonderful at room temperature. Experiment a little and see what works best for you and your palate. Be careful, though, with white wine. You don’t want it to be too cold when you drink it.
You can read as much as you like about wine, but ultimately, you have to decide for yourself if you like it or not. Price often doesn’t matter. You may like an inexpensive bottle of red wine much more than a costlier version. Don’t apologize for your tastes. Drink what you enjoy.
Allow yourself to be a little adventurous when shopping for wine. While it is really easy to stick to the tried and true wines from France or California, there are some fantastic varieties to be found all over the world. By stretching your boundaries just a little, you might find a wine that you really love!
The wine’s vintage is the year the grapes were harvested. 2010 wines will have autumn grape harvest in 2010. This wine is then fermented and aged inside wine barrels until it is time for it to be bottled and sold. The wine most likely didn’t get sold until 2011 or 2012.
If you’re at a party where everyone is drinking wine, there may be some toasting going on. If that happens, prepare to clink your wine glass. Did you know it is possible to shatter your wine glass if you clink it improperly? To avoid this, angle it slightly so that your bells are aligned and that the rim is pointed away from the other person’s glass.
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.
Get to know your local waiters and store clerks. This is a great way to learn about sales, new wines and events that are going on.
If you identify a strong aroma of caramel, smoke, nuts or even vanilla when tasting a wine, keep in mind that these aromas are there because of the oak barrels used to store the wine. These aromas will not be as strong if you drink the same wine from a bottle.
Go to a class on wine history. Wine is a thing that one must have a lot of passion for because there is a lot of history behind it that can help you learn to appreciate it. Learn where different wines are produced, how they are made, as well as the different wine options available to you.
Searching for the best value for your wine? The wine experts claim that you can get the best deals from wine that comes from Chile, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. However, you should not count out wine from other countries, such as Argentina, South Africa, and New Zealand, because you can also find some good values in these places.
It’s not always easy to be a wine aficionado. Utilize the solid tips provided here, and you can be one step closer towards being able to distinguish between any wines. In short order, you will achieve expert status.