Wine is a worthy beverage to serve on special occasions, parties or business gatherings. However, there are many choices that you have to make in order to find, serve and store your favorite bottle properly. With some acquired knowledge and research on your part, you can become the next wine tasting connoisseur. Read on below to gather some great tips and enhance your knowledge about wine.
Take a good look at your wine before you taste it. You can tell a lot about a wine by its appearance. If you practice this, you will soon learn a lot from a wine by its color. Look at the wine from many angles so that you can see all of the colors it has to offer.
A great way to choose what kind of wine to serve with your meal is to look into the roots of your meal. Italian food pairs easily with Italian wines. French food pair well with French foods. These regional wines came about from the foods in the region they were developed in and pair well with them.
If you are looking for a good deal on wine, try to purchase it from the rack at a liquor store. Generally, you will find that these are the items that are on sale or the dealer wants to get rid of the fastest. The quality of these wines has not dissipated though, so you can score a great deal this way.
Always take notes at wine tastings. Whether you are touring Napa or just going on a local winery tour, it is important to take notes on each variety you try. Give them ratings and write your impressions down so that later (after you’ve had a few samples!) when they all start to blur together, you’ll remember which you liked and which ones to purchase.
Always be prepared for any occasion by keeping a mixed collection of wines nicely stored in a cool dark place. Setting up a centrally located closet as a wine cellar is a good idea. By keeping a few good bottles of wine at the ready, you will be able to graciously play host at any impromptu occasion.
You should try different types of wine glasses. There are many shapes and sizes to choose from and the glass you use will influence your wine-tasting experience. Wine glasses usually have a soft round shape, a long stem and do not contain more than twenty-two ounces. However, you could surprise your guests with unconventional wine glassware.
Let any recently uncorked wine breathe for a bit. Giving the wine time to settle helps bring out the rich flavors of the beverage. Use a decanter for this. Pour the wine into one and then let it sit for about a quarter of an hour. You’ll find the wine much more delicious after doing so.
Need a party wine? If you’re looking for a white, consider a Sauvingnon Blanc from New Zealand or Chile. Want a red instead? Beaujolais is a great choice, but a Malbec from Argentina works well, too. When you need champagne, look for a Spanish Cava for the best buy available.
Have an idea of how much you want to spend on your wine in mind before you enter the store. A wine store can be a very confusing space with lots of shelves filled with various varieties. By having a price point in mind before you shop, you can narrow down what you are looking for and walk out of the store without spending too much.
Take the advice of wine critics with a grain of salt since you may have entirely different tastes than they do. Many people rely on critics to give them advice on what wines to select, but they end up disappointed. Only do this if you are sure that you and the critic have very similar palates.
There are so many things you need to consider when it comes to the world of wine. Anything done wrong can hinder the taste of this great alcohol. Ensure your serving success by applying all of the informative things that you’ve just read from this article. By choosing to play it smart, you can ensure your next gathering’s success.