Don’t Whine! The Basics Of Choosing Wine
Wine is such a tasty treat. There’s nothing like having a nice glass of wine with your favorite dinner. The aroma and the taste make your senses tingle and beg for more. If you enjoy wine, you can read the following article for some tips that will help you choose the best wines to go with your meal.
EXTRA TIP! If you are new to wine tasting, you should know that true connoisseurs actually spit the wine after tasting it. Spitting the wine is the best way to avoid overpowering your taste buds so you can keep tasting other wines.
Do not buy large quantities of a wine you like. Your preferences will change quickly as you discover new wines and you might regret spending your money on a wine you will eventually come to consider as average. Purchase small quantities and keep trying new wines to expand your horizons.
EXTRA TIP! Make a habit of trying new wines as often as you can. You will have the best chances of finding a wine that suits your tastes if you take the time to experiment with them.
Windex is a great tool to rid the stains that you get from wine. Windex has the fighting power to eliminate wine stains immediately, much better than soap and water will. It is crucial to target the stain immediately since waiting will allow the stain to begin setting in.
EXTRA TIP! If you are really passionate about wine, you should consider visiting a vineyard. You will learn a lot about how wine is made, what makes a flavor unique and even get a chance to witness the production of your favorite wine if you visit a vineyard during the right season.
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.
EXTRA TIP! Select the right glasses when tasting wine or serving it. It is best to use a clear glass so you can look at the color of the wine.
Consider your personal taste when buying a bottle of wine. Many professionals will tell you that one bottle is better than another because of region or winery, but in the end, it all comes down to taste preference. If a cheaper white makes you happy, do not hesitate to get it. The end goal, after all, is to enjoy what you’re drinking.
EXTRA TIP! If you plan to learn about and collect wines, invest in proper storage. Wine is best when kept in a cooler, more humid environment.
You can make amazing pairings with your favorite wine. For example, you can pair a Chardonnay with either Gouda or Provolone. For stronger cheeses, such as Cheddar, opt for a Cabernet such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc. Zinfandel wines go beautifully with the more delicate cheeses such as Feta and Gouda.
EXTRA TIP! If you want to keep wine for long periods of time, you should consider investing in a wine refrigerator. Even if you have a dry and cool basement you can use, temperature will still vary slightly from one season to the next.
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.
EXTRA TIP! Wine is a popular accompaniment for your holiday gatherings, and it is important that you choose the right variety to complement your entree. Generally, white wine goes well with chicken, turkey or seafood, and red wine is the best choice when the menu features beef or pork as the main entree.
When it comes to the differences between red and white wine, one major element is how they wines are fermented and aged. Red grapes are pressed twice, releasing more tannins and brightening the color of the wine. This is what makes the color so beautiful and the flavor so bold.
EXTRA TIP! When buying wine for dinner, take into consideration the food you will be serving. As a general rule, red wines pair well with beef based dishes, while white wines work well with seafood and vegetarian dishes.
The first two years is the prime time to drink whites, while they are young and new. Chardonnay is an exception to this rule. This is because producing most white wines does not entail the use of oak. Oak is also used for making darker wines.
EXTRA TIP! Keep a journal just for wine. The easiest way to keep track of the wines that you enjoy and the ones that you do not like is to keep a list of them.
If your recipe calls for cooking wine, think twice before purchasing this product, which is found next to the vinegar at your local grocers. Cooking wine contains little or no alcohol, and often contains extra salt and additives that can wreak havoc with a potentially tasty dish. Instead, opt for a wine that does not have “cooking” in its description!
EXTRA TIP! If you have white wines on hand, drink them within a year, and definitely before two years have passed. Chardonnay is a wine which ages well, though.
Taste wines in an environment free of aromas. If you have food cooking, use candles or have other odors present when you are trying to taste a wine you will not get an accurate impression. Aromas will conflict with the taste and could leave you with a distaste for a wine you may have enjoyed otherwise.
EXTRA TIP! If you are serving your wine, you need to have good wine glasses. This helps you to look professional, as you will want to serve with the best.
When dining out, don’t be afraid to ask your server if there is a wine expert in the house! Chances are good that someone will have the perfect recommendation to complement your meal. Tell them what you are having and give them a general price range, and you should find yourself with a great bottle to go with the meal.
EXTRA TIP! A good tip if you’re buying any wine from the grocery store is to make sure you get a bottle that’s fresh. Like anything in a supermarket, all the old stuff gets pushed up to the front, so you might need to dig a little deeper to find the newest bottle of wine you want.
Cooking with wine is a true delicacy. Try splashing some red wine on the steaks you are having, it adds good flavor. White wine pairs well with such seafood items as scallops or fish. Adding a tablespoon of wine to soups and sauces can add a whole other layer of flavor to your food.
EXTRA TIP! Remember that rules were made to be broken, even when it comes to selecting wine. Just because the “norm” indicates you should pair red wine with red meat and white with fish, chicken or salad, doesn’t mean it’s set in stone.
Be certain your wine tastings are done in a quiet, relaxed setting. New wines should be tasted in a soothing ambiance. Make sure you’re in the right type of setting when you’re judging the wines.
EXTRA TIP! Always smell your wine before you taste it. One reason is that it could be spoiled, which can be easily identified by smelling it, which could save you from getting sick.
When you are hunting for that great price on a great selection, the discount bottles will be just what you are looking for. The various venues will lower the price for whatever reason and place the same, expensive bottle on the racks for a discounted price. Keep an eye open and you might spot an amazing deal on an amazing flavor.
EXTRA TIP! Do not hesitate to experiment with wine and food pairings. Experts have a lot of recommendations to share when it comes to serving wine with a meal, but remember that you might not share their appreciation for a certain wine.
When you are hunting for a magical bottle of the perfect wine, keep in mind the occasion you are serving and the food that will accompany it. There are different bottles that work well with some foods while others won’t agree. Your wine selection should be food-friendly to guarantee maximum enjoyment.
EXTRA TIP! If you want to surprise your guests with a delightful and daring choice, you should try serving a sparkling wine. More wineries are releasing their own sparkling wine, and you should be able to find a sparkling version of your favorite wine.
If you are going to a party or a gathering, and you would like to bring wine, try to stick with something that is not too strong. Pinot Noir is a great choice for occasions like this, because it goes with most food. Regardless of what the host is serving, he or she should appreciate it.
EXTRA TIP! It just makes senses to take all advice and reviews from wine “experts” with a grain of salt. No expert in the world knows everything there is to know about wine, and the true experts will admit as much.
Carry around a notepad to keep track of all of the wine varieties you try. This will help you maintain and accurate record of the wines suited to your palette, making future wine selection quicker and easier. Have something to jot notes with you at all times when tasting wines.
EXTRA TIP! Rather than settling on cheap champagne when on a tight budget, buy a nice sparkling wine. A great wine from Australia will be reasonably priced and comparable to champagne, whereas a lower-priced bottle of the real bubbly will probably not have a very good flavor.
On its own, wine is such a delicious beverage, but when you drink a glass of wine with the meal of your choice, you’ll experience nothing but pure bliss. The perfect wine and the perfect meal create a marriage of flavors that can’t be beat. Use the wine selecting tips from this article and experience the flavors.
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