Wine: Everything You Need To Know
Serving the correct wine can set the mood while being the highlight of any occasion. However, it is important that you learn to select, store and serve the bottle of wine the right way. This article has so much information for you, so get ready to read!
Research the shops around you. Every one is different. Each market has different varieties, prices and general focus of wines. Besides, a novice would do well to avoid a pricey, ultra-exclusive spot. Find a wine shop that fits you well.
Properly store your wine to keep the flavor fresh. Extreme temperatures change how a wine will taste. Let these wines develop their flavors by storing them at about 50 or so degrees. Your basement might work, or buy a fridge for just wine.
If you are serving champagne or a sparkling wine, then make sure they are extremely cold prior to serving. Drinking them around room temperature impedes their full flavors. Leave your bottle of champagne in the fridge for at least two hours before serving.
Red and white wines are differentiated by the sorts of grapes used in their making. Red wine is made from purple grapes, which give it a strong body. White wine is made of green grapes that are known for being crisp and light. There are many subtle differences from one wine to another, but red and white is the main difference.
White wine tastes best when it is young, within two years of bottling. Chardonnay, is a notable exception to this rule. The main reason to do this is for the reason that oak doesn’t generally get used when making a white wine. Red wines are better aged, on the other hand.
When you are going to be serving wine, you have to be sure that your stemware is right for that occasion. Your stemware must be clean and look sharp; if it does not, even a quality wine will seem cheap. If your stemware is outdated or chipped, it’s time to get newer pieces.
Do not drink wines you do not enjoy. In some high-priced eateries and wine bars, restaurateurs push a proprietary or “celebrity” label rather than encouraging a more complete selection. These are generally priced much higher then they should be. Price does not necessarily mean better quality. Drink what you like.
As you explore a wine for the first time, try to pick out each note and flavor. You’ll notice fruit, pepper or musky tones. You might even find another crazy flavor in there, like smoke or honey. Your sense of smell is vital in achieving full enjoyment from a glass of wine.
Everyone may want to make a toast at a social event that has wine. This will result in the timeless tradition of glass clinking. Clinking your glass the wrong way can shatter it into pieces. If you want to avoid this, tilt the glass a little in order to make sure the bells align and your rim is directed away from the other rim.
White and red wines differ in the fact that they are both better served at different temperatures. In most cases, red wine should be served at room temperature or at least ten degrees warmer than white wines are served at. The best way to do this is to first chill your wine before letting it sit for awhile at room temperature. For red aim for sixty degrees Fahrenheit. For white aim for 45 degrees.
Varietal wines are made with just one type of grape. Pinot Noir is one such example. To carry this name, the wine must be 9/10ths from one varietal juice. Most wineries will mix juice from other grapes to create an interesting flavor.
Screw Caps
Just because a bottle of wine has a screw-on top, don’t shun it automatically in favor of one with a cork. Many companies are using screw caps today. They’re known to keep wines more pure than cork does. Less air enters the wines and certainly less cork floats in the bottle. In fact, screw caps have become quite routine among bottlers in many countries.
There are many different factors to consider when purchasing and storing wine. If you do not use this information when serving wine, you might run into an embarrassing situation. These ideas will help you and your friends enjoy many fine bottles of wine well into the future.