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Monday, April 1, 2013

Anyone Can Learn About Wine With These Simple Tips!

By German Snyder


Drinking wine is something people enjoy doing for many different reasons and occasions. But, to truly get the most out of wine, you need to do your research. In the following piece, you will be given advice to help ensure you know everything about wine, thus, improving your experience with it.

If you are cooking with wine, don't hesitate to ask the wine shop-owner/manager for advice. He or she has likely tasted most of the wines available, and can give you an educated suggestion for wines that will enhance your recipe. The shop may even have wine on hand for tasting.

If you are wondering about decanting wine, generally speaking, you should not. The very best wines are nicely served from their original bottles. Less expensive or bulk wines, on the other hand, may benefit in both presentation and in flavor by decanting. This is especially true of less-expensive reds, which will become more "dry" in flavor when decanted and allowed to breathe.

Need a lot of wine for a big wedding, party or other event? Consider buying Cava, which comes from Spain. This affordable style of wine never disappoints with its flavor, texture or price. There are many brands available, which will impress your guests and keep your budget well balanced, too.

When serving wine for parties, open the Merlot and Cabernet a half hour before the party starts. This will allow the wine to make contact with the air and start "opening up." As reds are exposed to the air, oxygen allows the tannin and flavors to activate and become more robust.

Eat pasta and chicken with white wine. White wine sets off these flavors best. That is because white wine tends to have a lighter taste than red wine, and won't overpower the taste of a great fettucini alfredo or barbeque chicken. Experiment with different white wines to see which you like best.

Don't drink your wine the minute you open it. To get the best flavors, you need to let it breathe. So pop the cork, and then take a few steps back and wait fifteen minutes. This waiting helps bring the flavors in your wine to life, so your enjoyment level will be much higher.

Try not to stock up on wines. You might be tempted to fill your home with the kind of wine you love, but what happens if your tastes change? Buy a few bottles, but don't go all out unless you are committed to limiting yourself to a certain brand or type.

Ros and blush wines pair wonderfully with fish and seafood. These wines are also preferred by many as a fine drinking wine. These pink colored wines offer a perfect wine to pair with a steak and seafood dinner. Many wine connoisseurs enjoy sipping a ros or blush wine on their deck for the simple pleasure of drinking it.

The best way to be prepared for drop-in guests is to keep a box of a variety of wines in a cool, dark place. Make sure not to put it in a place where the temperature fluxuates wildly as the bottles can go bad or even burst. A closet is a better choice than a basement for this reason.

Remember that wine shops can vary as much as wines themselves. Each one has a different set of priorities, product list and pricing structure. If you are very new to wine and setting foot in a place where the cheapest bottle is $60, you should look for a lower-end store where you can discover your palate and favorite brands.

When choosing wine to pair with a dish, remember that each must taste good on its own. You cannot expect to mix one with the other and enjoy the results if one is of poor quality. Avoid the mentality that two wrongs make a right, especially where wining and dining are concerned!

Consider purchasing a book about different varieties of wine. These can be found in your local bookstore or online. These books are a great way to educate yourself about the different flavors and great ideas when it comes to food pairing. They are wonderful for the beginner, but will continue to be helpful even after you are a more seasoned wine drinker.

Don't buy cheap bottle for cooking wine. A good rule of thumb is - if you won't drink it on its own, never cook with it either. Wines specifically made for cooking are often poor alternatives that have preservatives and different colorings in them. And even cheap table wines can be just as bad. These are not the tastes that will make your food better.

Don't be afraid to try something a little different for a change. Most restaurants allow you to taste the wine when they bring it to the table. If you do not care for it, you can always send it back. This allows you to sample something new without feeling like you will be stuck with it if you don't care for it.

Look for bottles of wine that have a screwcap rather than a cork. Since cork has imperfections in it, it may affect the taste of the wine. While this doesn't happen often, it is a possibility. Screwcaps are becoming more popular and are less likely to affect the wine in any way.

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. Consider switching out options rather than trading down too far.

The difficulty associated with wine selection is understandable, given the kinds of wine that exist and the categories that separate them. You can have an easier time choosing the wine you want. Keep this article in mind and remember that the best wines are only a few thoughts away from being in your glass.




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