Have you ever had a glass of wine? If you're like most, the answer is probably yes. However, you probably don't know much about the wine you are drinking, other than the color. Wine has a rich history and is a vast topic that involves geography, climate and grapes. Here are some solid tips for learning more about this drink.
Wine should be stored in a dark, cool location. One of the best places to help your wine remain fresh if you do not have a wine cellar is in a closet in your basement. Store your bottles on their side away from any light sources to help it remain fresh.
Avoid buying trendy wines. You may hear a lot of buzz about a new wine; however, this does not make it right for you. Just because a celebrity is seen drinking a wine, this does not make it noteworthy. The real truth is in researching the wine itself and knowing if it suits your palate.
Do not write a certain wine off just because a wine tester does not like it. Just like with many other beverages, certain wines require an acquired taste. Even if he or she does not like it, you may find it to be to your liking. See if you can get a sample of it before buying a bottle.
Swirling is part of tasting wine. Make the circular motion necessary from your elbow rather than your wrist. Doing so will enable you to smell the wine, enhancing the flavor of it as well. Making the motion just using the wrist is difficult and often will not have the desired effect.
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.
Have a basic idea of what kind of wine you like. Even if you are not sure of what brand, winery or region you prefer, it is pretty easy to determine if you prefer a blush, red or white. By knowing just this basic fact, you can more easily determine which wines are worth trying for your next meal.
Ask if you can taste a few wines before buying. Most wine stores will offer tastings to their customers on a regular basis or set schedule. By trying a few varieties in the store, you can increase your chances of walking out with a bottle you really love. This is a better way to shop than buying blindly.
Don't just drink your wine; try cooking with it, as well. Adding red wine to your steaks can enhance their flavors. White wine is a wonderful addition to, or compliment to, your favorite fish or seafood. A little wine is a fantastic complement to the meal you are consuming.
Pair spicy foods with sweet wines. Especially with the heat of Thai and Indian food, you will want to stick with dry white and red wines that are sweet. Some great pairings include Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, and Riesling. If you choose Riesling, try going with a German brand since their higher acidity doesn't make the sweetness seem as apparent. These wines act as palate cleansers to help you enjoy the spiciness of the meal.
To really get the most of your glass of wine, you will want to sniff it twice. The first time, take a long, slow whiff from right outside of the glass. The second time, take a sniff with your nose inside of the glass. You will see how much better the wine tastes when you do this.
Allow wine to breathe prior to drinking it. Use a carafe or large glass to test this concept. Pour a bit of wine into the container. Let the wine sit for ten minutes or so. Try it, and then sample some straight out of the bottle. You'll notice a huge change.
Search for online information about different wines. Look for a wine discussion forum and read the comments until you feel confident enough to add your own ideas. If you are unfamiliar with international wines, this is a great place to find information. You can gain enough information to try a few wines you would not otherwise have considered.
Keep your nose two or three inches away from the glass when you sniff it. People stick their nose right into the glass and miss to many of the great aromas of the wine. When the wine smells bad, it has turned and should be dumped down the sink without drinking.
You should always store your wine while it is resting on the side. This is because it keeps the wine in contact with the cork. When the cork of a wine gets dry, it may cause a gap that allows air into the bottle, which may cause your wine to spoil.
When purchasing wine at a winery, use caution when buying in bulk. It is all to easy to find the perfect wine and decide to buy a case or two, to take home. If you do not have the proper storage space or facility available, be prudent in your purchase. You do not want to end up with a couple of cases of turned wine.
When purchasing an inexpensive bottle of wine, look at the back label to determine the importer. There are some importers that are worth getting to know because they offer high quality wines at discount prices. Once you have been buying wine for a bit, you can trust the importer information to let you know about the quality of the bottle in your hand.
Wine is a drink that is also a complex subject. The tips in this article have hopefully helped you to learn more about it. Now you know more and can choose different wines and perhaps start cooking with it. The more you know, the more you can appreciate this fantastic beverage.
Avoid buying trendy wines. You may hear a lot of buzz about a new wine; however, this does not make it right for you. Just because a celebrity is seen drinking a wine, this does not make it noteworthy. The real truth is in researching the wine itself and knowing if it suits your palate.
Do not write a certain wine off just because a wine tester does not like it. Just like with many other beverages, certain wines require an acquired taste. Even if he or she does not like it, you may find it to be to your liking. See if you can get a sample of it before buying a bottle.
Swirling is part of tasting wine. Make the circular motion necessary from your elbow rather than your wrist. Doing so will enable you to smell the wine, enhancing the flavor of it as well. Making the motion just using the wrist is difficult and often will not have the desired effect.
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.
Have a basic idea of what kind of wine you like. Even if you are not sure of what brand, winery or region you prefer, it is pretty easy to determine if you prefer a blush, red or white. By knowing just this basic fact, you can more easily determine which wines are worth trying for your next meal.
Ask if you can taste a few wines before buying. Most wine stores will offer tastings to their customers on a regular basis or set schedule. By trying a few varieties in the store, you can increase your chances of walking out with a bottle you really love. This is a better way to shop than buying blindly.
Don't just drink your wine; try cooking with it, as well. Adding red wine to your steaks can enhance their flavors. White wine is a wonderful addition to, or compliment to, your favorite fish or seafood. A little wine is a fantastic complement to the meal you are consuming.
Pair spicy foods with sweet wines. Especially with the heat of Thai and Indian food, you will want to stick with dry white and red wines that are sweet. Some great pairings include Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, and Riesling. If you choose Riesling, try going with a German brand since their higher acidity doesn't make the sweetness seem as apparent. These wines act as palate cleansers to help you enjoy the spiciness of the meal.
To really get the most of your glass of wine, you will want to sniff it twice. The first time, take a long, slow whiff from right outside of the glass. The second time, take a sniff with your nose inside of the glass. You will see how much better the wine tastes when you do this.
Allow wine to breathe prior to drinking it. Use a carafe or large glass to test this concept. Pour a bit of wine into the container. Let the wine sit for ten minutes or so. Try it, and then sample some straight out of the bottle. You'll notice a huge change.
Search for online information about different wines. Look for a wine discussion forum and read the comments until you feel confident enough to add your own ideas. If you are unfamiliar with international wines, this is a great place to find information. You can gain enough information to try a few wines you would not otherwise have considered.
You should always store your wine while it is resting on the side. This is because it keeps the wine in contact with the cork. When the cork of a wine gets dry, it may cause a gap that allows air into the bottle, which may cause your wine to spoil.
When purchasing wine at a winery, use caution when buying in bulk. It is all to easy to find the perfect wine and decide to buy a case or two, to take home. If you do not have the proper storage space or facility available, be prudent in your purchase. You do not want to end up with a couple of cases of turned wine.
When purchasing an inexpensive bottle of wine, look at the back label to determine the importer. There are some importers that are worth getting to know because they offer high quality wines at discount prices. Once you have been buying wine for a bit, you can trust the importer information to let you know about the quality of the bottle in your hand.
Wine is a drink that is also a complex subject. The tips in this article have hopefully helped you to learn more about it. Now you know more and can choose different wines and perhaps start cooking with it. The more you know, the more you can appreciate this fantastic beverage.