Do you want to be able to talk intelligently with friends about wine like the experts? Perhaps you want to hold an intelligent conversation with your vast knowledge on the subject. Maybe you are making a certain dish. It doesn’t matter why, just keep reading to get what you need.
Seafood is nicely complemented by a good Pinot Grigio. This can boost the flavor of your food. There are many other white wines that you can pair with seafood as well. It is almost like they were made to be together.
Cheap wine is not always as bad choice. Try looking at Chile for a good wine that doesn’t cost a ton. Many wines from the region are prices reasonably. Other international favorites include labels from New Zealand, New Zealand and South Africa.
Some experts suggest a certain wine because of the area it came from, but that shouldn’t factor into your purchasing decision. If you really like an inexpensive white, that is what you should drink.
If you drink and cook with wine frequently, especially pricier varieties, it may be worthwhile to have your own wine cellar installed. Wine cellars are especially good for expensive wines that can’t be stored in normal places. The cost of the cellar will more than pay for itself when it keeps your expensive wines from going bad.
Serve wine at the right temperature to get the most flavor from each glass. Red wines are best served at 60 degrees for maximum taste. You should serve your red wine at 58F degrees and let it warm in the glass. White wines should be served at a colder temperature of 47 degrees or so. White wines taste dull when they are too warm often lose their crisp flavor.
Do not be frightened of the sulfite warnings on the labels scare you. All wines contain sulfites, but it’s the American made versions that must show a warning.While it is true that some may experience an allergic reaction to sulfites, you shouldn’t worry if you haven’t noticed anything before.
Do not believe the myth that all white wines have to be served chilled. They are not the same and have different serving requirements. Sauvignon blanc generally tastes best chilled, but others, like chardonnay, are more flavorful when they are closer to room temperature.
If you are going tailgating, consider purchasing a bottle that has a screw top. You don’t have to remember to take a corkscrew with opening corks or remembering bottle openers.You can also close them after the party; a cork will not do the trick
Try to keep a large assortment of wine on hand. This is important because you shouldn’t have just one type of wine available.
If you want to serve sparkling wine or champagne, chill the bottle first. If you try drinking them at room temperature, you will not get the full flavor that the wine has to offer. Put champagne in a refrigerator one or two hours before drinking it.
Sparkling wine and champagne should always be served very cold. Drinking these closer to room temperature will rob them of its flavors. Put champagne inside a good refrigerator to serve it chilled.
California Port
Do not drink wines you do not enjoy. Some establishments attempt to promote only certain brands or varieties. However, these typically are priced as much as twenty times wholesale. More expensive wines do not necessarily taste better. Know the types of wines you prefer and stick to them when out on the town.
A dessert wine makes a perfect after dinner. French Champagne and California Port are rich in taste, California Port and Italian Moscato are all great choices. Your party guests will love your selection of wine and have a great time while they relax with it.
White and red wines should be sipped at two totally different temperatures. Reds tend to taste better at a temperature that is 10-15 degrees warmer temperatures than white wines. One of the best methods is to put wine in the refrigerator first and then allow it to sit out at room temperature a while. Whites should be at forty-five degrees and reds at 60.
Wine is great for cooking with as well as drinking alone. When cooking red meat such as beef, red wine can help to enhance the flavor of the meat. White wine pairs well with such seafood items as scallops or fish. Just a little wine added during cooking brings out the flavors.
Explore what tastes good when pairing wine with food. You might discover a dish that goes well with which wines. Of course, you can take the safe approach, but the fun thing about being a zealous wine lover is trying new things.
Make sure you take a moment to talk with the waiters and clerks at your favorite restaurant. Getting to know the people behind the counter can often lead to savings down the road or a warning in advance for a great sale that you might have missed otherwise.
When tasting a wine, you should try isolating different flavors and smells. Soon you will be good at recognizing fruity, nutty or floral scents and tastes. You will also recognize secondary aromas such as caramel, smoke or even honey. Take note of the various aromas, and they will get easier and easier to recognize.
Screw Caps
Don’t turn away from wines with screw caps. More wineries are choosing to use screw caps. These tops have been proven to aid in wine purity better than cork. Some countries only use screw caps for their wine bottles.
You shouldn’t neglect buying a bottle of wine just because it has a screw cap rather than a cork. Lots of high quality wines have transitioned to screw tops. They can actually keep wine fresher than corks can. With the screw top, less oxygen will enter the bottle and the wine will keep fresh. Certain regions of the world use screw caps almost exclusively.
You may be embarrassed if you show up ready to taste some wines only to be turned away.
Wine knowledge can enhance many parts of your life. Now, you can use these tips to your advantage. From treating guests to a great bottle to enjoying one yourself, you’re now prepared to take wine on head-first.
Go to a seminar to learn some history about wine. There is so much depth to this topic that you can easily turn this into a very enjoyable hobby. Learning about where wines come from, how they’re made and what varieties there are can help you understand them.