Thursday, April 2, 2015 in

How To Pick The Perfect Wine For Any Occasion

Develop a relationship with your local wine store. Every store is different. Selections and prices can vary, depending on the store you are in. If you're new to the world of wine, having a store full of expensive labels may not be a great fit. Instead, look for a seller who can cater to your special desires and needs.

Particularly if you are just discovering wine, don't buy too much of any one thing. You may want to grab several bottles of whatever you enjoy, but as you continue learning more, you are going to start to like different things. You probably won't be interested in the wine that you enjoyed several months ago.

Keep in mind that the color of the wine is not always the same as color of the grapes that are used to make it. The color results from the process of wine making and it is the skin of the grape used in the process that gives an individual wine its final color.

When looking for a great bottle of wine, do not instantly go for the most expensive wines in the store. While the cost of a bottle is one indicator of the flavor and quality, there are also many others. Take the time to try a few inexpensive brands, and they just might surprise you!

Keep a wine journal. Write down the names of wines that you taste and what you think of them. Over time, this will develop into a great resource for you. It is also nice to look back and see where you came from and what direction you are headed in when it comes to your wine preferences.

Drink wine less often during your week if you're having a headache after drinking it when you eat. Wine has sulfites, which are known to cause headaches. You just need to drink moderately at all times.

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.

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.

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. Additionally, you can also learn a lot about the wine from its aroma, and if you stick with this habit you will begin to identify how over time.

Aim for wines that were produced in the 1960s and 1970s. These are generally the best types of wine, in addition to the fact that they have aged a good amount of time. If you see that you are accustomed to drinking wine from a certain period, explore other wines in that span of time.

Never hesitate to advise your sommelier of your spending limits. Many people think that this is inappropriate or embarrassing, but he or she is actually well-versed in the selection process based upon price. Allow a little leeway in the recommendation, but don't break the bank over a non-existent social norm.

If you are cooking with wine, the type of dish you are making indicates whether you will need a dry or sweet wine. For savory dishes, always choose a dry wine. If you want a dry white wine, try a chardonnay. Dry red wines include merlot and pinot noir.

When you find a bottle of wine that really hits the spot, put away the whole case for a slightly higher price and you'll save money in the long run. A case is usually 12 bottles of the same age and flavor. The net cost of a single case is reasonably lower than 12 individual bottles in most venues.

When selecting a red wine, you need to give the wine a chance to breathe after opening. This gives the wine more time to interact with the oxygen in the air. If you are pressed for time, pour the wine through an aerator and into a decanter so that it breathes properly first.

Since you now know a bit more about wine, going through a wine store or reading over the wine menu should be easy for you. It will enable you to serve your guests wine or enjoy it by yourself without any frustration. You are well on your way towards becoming a wine expert.

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