Wine is found everywhere these days, from the local supermarket, to your favorite restaurant. Having said this, wine can be an extremely confusing topic due to its versatility and, of course, personal taste. If you want to learn more, read on below.
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.
Buy only one bottle of each wine. If you find that you like a particular wine a great deal it can be very tempting to want to buy a lot of it at once to save money, but this is often a bad idea. Instead, buy only one to ensure that you do not fill your cellar with one type.
When looking for a great bottle of wine, do not instantly go for the most expensive wines in the store. While the cost of a bottle is one indicator of the flavor and quality, there are also many others. Take the time to try a few inexpensive brands, and they just might surprise you!
If you are new to the world of wine, consider attending a wine festival. Festivals are a wonderful way to meet other people with an interest in wines and try several varieties without breaking the bank. You can also get some great ideas about pairing wines with foods. The fun and festive atmosphere also provides for a great date night out.
Make sure that the temperature is perfect when serving your wine. Red wines taste best when served at approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The wine will warm up in the glass, and you should pour into the glass at about 58 degrees. Serve white wines at around 47 degrees. White wines that are too warm often lose their crisp flavor.
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.
Red and white wines have their own separate style of glassware. White wines should go in narrow glasses to prevent excess warm air from penetrating their surface. Reds, on the other hand, like to be served in a wider glass, with a large mouth. A wide glass allows air to touch red wine and enhance its flavors.
Since you now know a bit more about wine, going through a wine store or reading over the wine menu should be easy for you. You can serve your guests wine, or just drink it yourself with enjoyment. As long as you put the above information to use you will quickly become an expert.