Wine is all around you. You can find it at social gatherings, restaurants and even at your favorite store. That said, the whole field of wine can be confusing and frustrating. If you want some clarity about wine, this article can help you sort through the information.
Know how to navigate the wine store. That’s because each shop is different. Each store has a unique selection and will offer different prices. If you’re a wine rookie, you may not do too well with stores that have pricey labels. Find a wine shop that fits you well.
Leftover wine should not be saved for any more than four days. When wine comes in contact with oxygen, it starts to break down. This greatly effects the taste and balance. It is best to use any wine you have leftover for cooking instead of drinking it as it is.
A great tip if you love wine is to look into joining an online message board that caters to fellow wine lovers. There are message boards for literally all kinds of communities. This is great because you’ll be able to connect with people that share the same interests, and you’ll learn a lot.
There are many types of wine, and not all should be aged. Learn about the wine in your possession, particularly its longevity, so that you will be able to use it when you are ready. Bordeaux is an exceptional choice for aging, if you so desire.
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.
If you have a lot of wine in your cellar, you may want to invest in an inventory management system. This will track the types of wine that you have in your cellar and how old they are at a given time. Compartmentalizing wine into a database can make your storage capabilities very efficient.
The biggest difference between red and white wines are the grapes that are used. Strong bodied purple grapes make red wine. White wines are made with green grapes, which are often much lighter and crisper. Obviously, there are other differences between them, but that’s the main difference.
Get the right stemware for your occasion when wine is being served. It is very important that you are using stemware that looks clean and sharp, because it can make the wine seem like it’s of a higher quality. Old, worn out glasses should be replaced.
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.
You should now be able to find your way around the wine store or restaurant menu easily. You will know how to choose wine to serve to others or drink it just for your own enjoyment. This short lesson in wine will make you into a wine expert quickly.