Wine and meat go together like peas and carrots. The combination of a flavorful wine and a nicely cooked meat make one of the best meal experiences. There are many different wines and meats to choose from, so creating the perfect pairing isn’t always easy. That’s why the following article has tips for selecting wine that will go with the meat of your choice.
Particularly if you are just discovering wine, don’t buy too much of any one thing. You may want to grab several bottles of whatever you enjoy, but as you continue learning more, you are going to start to like different things. You probably won’t be interested in the wine that you enjoyed several months ago.
Have a plan prior to picking your wine. Be sure you know which wine you’re looking before to avoid getting overwhelmed by brands, varieties, and prices. Certain wines fit dinners and others better fit large parties. Knowing which wine suits your needs can help you choose a better wine than browsing and choosing something on a whim.
Storing your wine properly preserves its flavor. Extreme temperatures change how a wine will taste. The right temperature to store wine is between 50 and 55 degrees. Try a wine refrigerator or just keep your wines in your basement.
A great tip if you’re interested in buying wine is not to get too carried away with buying a lot of wine that you currently like. Tastes change all the time, and you might regret packing your wine cellar with a bunch of wine that you happen to like right now.
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.
When serving wine at a dinner party, try to have at least one variety of red wine and one variety of white wine on hand. While many individuals are not particular to a specific region or winery, most will prefer a red or white. By having both on hand you are sure to please all of your guests with ease.
Look at the entire wine store. Do not just stay in one aisle. Some stores are better organized than others, and you may even find some great deals in a section that you may not normally look in. Take some time to explore it. Surveying the store can help you avoid missing anything.
Take a trip to wine regions. To really appreciate the ways different grapes taste, you should see them harvested. This will help give you the right understanding, and the right language, to explain these distinctive tastes and aromas to others. Wine regions are gorgeous and you can have a lot of fun, too.
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 you are in a restaurant, do not feel too shy about ordering a wine that is not the most expensive. Sommeliers choose great wines for the restaurants they work for, which means that the more inexpensive choices should taste just as good as the ones that cost quite a bit.
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 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.
You should always let red wine sit out for a while before you drink it. This allows oxygen in and some of the vapors out, and it only takes a few minutes. This will ensure that the ingredients are activated which were mixed in the wine, resulting in a much better and prominent taste.
On your next restaurant outing, avoid paying too much for a bottle of Chardonnay. It is America’s favorite wine, and restaurants often take advantage of its popularity by charging more than it’s really worth. Consider affordable and other great-tasting alternatives such as Grüner-Veltliner or something less popular like Riesling.
Choose a glass that is about 22 ounces. Swirling your wine becomes easier at this size. Choose a thin and clear glass. For the final touch, use a glass that has a long, gently curving stem.
If you are trying to make wine purchases for investment purposes, be very selective and knowledgeable first. Try to find wines that do not enjoy current popularity, and be sure they are wines that hold well over time. Try different temperatures, and taste each to determine the best one.
Chilled white wine tastes the best. If you drink room temperature white wine, you will be disappointed with the taste. A full bottle will take around two hours to chill in the fridge. To drink it more quickly, sit your bottle in an ice bucket for 30 minutes.
As stated before, when wine and meat come together, there’s nothing that can match the flavor it creates. Combining the right wine with meat takes a little skill and knowledge. Once the contents of this article are stored in your memory, you’ll be able to perfectly choose a wine for any meat that you eat.