Do you know anything about wine? If wine is your forte, or if you are embarking on a quest for wine knowledge, this article can help. Wine is about so much more than that first sip, and the more you know about it, the more enjoyable it becomes. Read on to learn more, and you’ll be happy to have done it.
Use your judgement when you are deciding on what wine to purchase. For instance, if a friend loves a certain wine but you don’t like it so much, don’t buy some just to look good. You might end up spending money on something that you will not like.
Your wine must be stored properly for preservation of taste. Temperatures to any extreme can damage your wine’s taste. Allow flavors time to develop by storing them around 50 or 55 degrees. Use a refrigerator made for wine or have them stored inside your cool basement.
Try to arrange a tasting before you make a purchase, no matter how well reviewed a wine may be. There are various kinds, and you can’t be sure which ones you’ll enjoy. You will always want to purchase a single bottle before committing to a whole case.
Don’t shy away from joining a discussion forum online. This is such a broad area that having others to share experiences with can be very valuable. Read through the forum a bit before jumping in to make sure it’s a place you want to spend time in.
Your wine will taste better if it is served at the ideal temperature. Red wines are best served at 60°F. If the wine is poured at 58 degrees, it will warm to the right temperature in the glass. White wines should be served at 47° for the best flavor. White wines that are too warm often lose their crisp flavor.
Do not be frightened of the sulfite warnings stated on the wine labels. While any wine contains sulfites, only those bottled in America must make note of this on the label. Although some people are allergic to sulfites, if you have had wine with no reaction before, you are not one of those unlucky souls.
Make sure that you designate the proper wine glasses for reds and whites. Whites are best in a narrow wine glass to prevent warm air from making its way to the surface. Red wines need wider glasses with large mouths. The rich flavors of red wines will awaken as the wine warms up to room temperature and is exposed to air.
Contrary to popular belief, not every white wine needs to be chilled when served. White wines do differ in texture, and therefore may benefit from a variety of temperatures. Chardonnay and pinot gris, for example, usually taste better when warm.
The information that you learned gives you a great foundation of knowledge about wine. Enjoy experimenting with this advice, and share what you have learned with your friends. No matter if you are whipping up a new dish or playing host to friends, get ready to impress.