Wine is a pleasure best enjoyed by one who knows how to pick a great bottle. Keep reading to learn more.
Look for a good wine reading tasting notes and reviews. Wines that have even the most modest of followings should be rated. You can easily find wines by rating online and usually in liquor stores as well. The higher the rating the better the wine should be in both quality and taste.
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.
If you are having red meats, stick to red wine. This is the general principle, and should rarely be veered away from. Red wine helps to bring out the flavor in the steak or meat that you choose and vice versa, giving you the best possible experience while you are eating lunch or dinner.
Which wine you select should depend on personal preference. There are several wine authorities out there who state that one type of wine is better because of the vineyard its from, but everyone has a different palate. If a cheaper white makes you happy, do not hesitate to get it. The important thing, above all else, is to indulge in a wine that you truly enjoy.
If you are getting many headaches after you drink wine with your meal, cut down on the amount of wine that you are drinking that week. Wine contains sulfites, which is an ingredient that can cause headaches in people. Drinking in moderation will probably be your best bet.
If you have a wine cellar and you need a bottle for a party of special occasion, do not take the bottle upstairs until the day of the event. Wine needs to be brought up the day of the event in order to reach room temperature. But, bringing it up to soon could ruin the wine.
Don't always believe everything you are told, even if the person claims to be a wine expert. The greatest sommeliers are those who are willing to admit biases and mistakes. Remember that no two people share the exact same tastes, regardless of expertise--or lack thereof. Therefore, always make up your own mind.
Believe it or not, the glass you choose to drink your wine out of can have a major affect on your drinking experience. You want a glass whose bowl is round so that the aroma can develop. Also, the top should taper inward; this prevents its essence from getting out.
If you plan on pairing a wine with lasagna, try going with red wine. The higher acidity in these types of wines pair quite well with the tomato sauce that is usually in lasagna. Many lasagnas have ingredients like green peppers, and the flavor of a red wine can accentuate them.
Do not go out and buy cases of wine just because you like the taste of it. Many times people's tastes change over time, which means that you may not like this particular wine forever. Buying it in bulk may have you stuck with a lot of wine that you no longer like.
If you are finished with your sparkling wine, make sure that you do not store it in the refrigerator for any longer than 3 weeks. After this time period, it will lose its taste and quality, rendering it useless as a quality wine. This can help you to avoid serving poor wine to guests.
Explore what tastes good when pairing wine with a meal. You won't know which wine compliments a particular dish until you try it. Of course, you can take the safe approach, but being open to new experiences is part of what makes being a wine lover fun.
Check ahead for reservations before planning a stop at your local wine venue. It's often believed that reservations aren't needed at many of these public tastings, but that isn't the case. Wouldn't it be dreadful to prepare yourself for a night of wine tasting, then have your plans crushed at the door?
Visit a wine tasting festival next time one is held in your area. It's a great way to enjoy the company of a few friends and can provide you with good knowledge on wine tasting. Try different varieties and make sure you bring a notebook to mark down which types you really enjoyed!
It is worth spending the time to learn about wine so that you can maximize your enjoyment. Hopefully, you will now have a solid knowledge base to take you through your journey through your wine experience.