Wine is a fun hobby but it does a little background knowledge and the effort to develop a discerning palette. To properly present wine and know your way around a wine shop, you need to learn a few wine basics. This article is a great place to start if you want to learn more about wine.
Consider purchasing a wine from a lesser-known region of the world. While everyone gravitates toward wines from France or California, there are great varieties to be found most everywhere! You might find a lovely red wine in North Carolina or a never heard winery in Australia. Give a few a try, and enjoy the variety, they bring to your table.
Do you need a wine all your guests will enjoy? Instead of choosing a rare wine people might not appreciate, choose a Beaujolais, a Chilean, a Sauvignon or a Cava from Spain. These wines are easy to find and offer enough diversity to remain interesting for connoisseurs without making novices feel like they are sophisticated enough to enjoy the wine.
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.
Message boards on the Internet are a great place to share wine information. There are some really good forums out there where people talk about wine. Having said this, don’t just sign up for the first wine forum you discover. Check out all the different forums that exist so that you can get a feel for the one that best fits you a lot of fun with the sip of romantic Champagne.
If you are a wine newbie and you are looking for a wine to try, why not go to a wine tasting? At these events, you can taste many different wines until you find one the best suits your taste. Also, if you find one you like, you can usually purchase a bottle at the same time.
One of the fastest ways that you can chill a bottle of wine is to place it into a container that is filled with water and ice. Gently lower the bottle into this container and you will be able to chill it to drinking standards within 30 minutes or so.
If you enjoy wine, consider planning a trip to visit wine country to see your favorite wines created in person. You can indulge your hobby, learn something new and enjoy some beautiful scenery.
If you go to a restaurant with a sommelier, do not hesitate to ask for help when choosing your wine. The sommelier will know everything about the wines on the menu and will even be able to make a personalized recommendation if you let them know what kind of wine you usually enjoy.
A decanter can be a useful product to have. If you have not been able to get one, or if you do not like them because of the time involved in using them, think about getting an aerator instead. They fulfill similar functions, and they are often easier to use.
Enjoy yourself when it comes to wine. You may find yourself frequently analyzing each aspect of a particular wine, including its flavors and the way it is made and which wine to serve with particular meals. Wine is meant to make you feel good, so get creative and have fun with it.
For a spring picnic, evening at the race track or other outdoor events during seasonable weather, your best bet is a sparkling wine. Take your pick of bubbly’s like a nice Asti or Champagne and complement it with mild cheese, fresh bread and fruit. Remember to bring flute glasses too, to make the experience complete.
Color does not reflect the lightness of a wine. Red and white wines both have equal amounts of alcohol in them. However, white wines usually taste a lot smoother. If a light wine is really what you are looking for, your best bet is likely a nice Pinot Grigio.
When you are buying wine, consider trying one you haven’t had before. Drinking the same wine all the time can keep you from discovering new ones that might be better than your current favorite. Try going for a wine that comes from a different place, or even one that’s totally different altogether such as a Chianti. This can help you save money in the long run as well.
When you are in a social setting and having wine, a toast may be in order. This will result in the delightful tradition of clinking glasses. Glasses can shatter if they are not clinked correctly. Angle your glass so that the rim points away from your partner.
If you have a smaller space, you can create a wine cellar of sorts in an empty closet. Place racks in the closet to store the bottles on, and try to keep the door closed often to prevent light from entering. A closet will generally have a fairly consistent temperature, making it ideal for storing wine.
If you are out on a date or with someone you want to impress, do not order a wine that you have not had before. Try to order wine that you are familiar with, or know that you like. Be adventurous in your own time, when you are not out in public.
Don’t be afraid to experiment when it comes to enjoying a good wine. Sure, we all have a favorite stand-by, but that doesn’t mean something different cannot be enjoyed as well. If red is your go-to wine, investigate the possibility of a Pinot Grigio tonight or be really daring and try something you’ve never even heard of!
It can feel overwhelming at first when you don’t know how to serve, taste or choose the right bottle of wine. You will soon be an expert if you keep trying different wines and do more research on this topic. Use the information here to help you make a great wine choice the next time.