When the holidays arrive, it makes sense to keep lots of different wine varieties on hand. Use the tips in this article to choose the most popular wines. Now, you can be prepared to choose the proper wine to serve with a variety of menus.
Learn about the place where you buy your wine. This is particularly important as each shop is different. Each store has a unique selection and will offer different prices. If you are new to wine, you may want to start with a smaller wine shop. Find a venue that falls within your budget and needs.
Before deciding on a wine, give it a test drive by buying a single bottle. There are many different wines, and it is hard to know which ones will meet your approval. It’s best to pick up a bottle before deciding to get a whole case.
If you drink and cook with wine frequently, especially pricier varieties, it may be worthwhile to have your own wine cellar installed. If you have wine that is valuable and that you cannot store in your kitchen, a wine cellar is a perfect solution. A wine cellar will preserve and enhance the quality of your wine over extended periods.
For the best flavor, be sure to serve wine at the proper temperature. Red wines are best when they are served at about 60 degrees. Start at 58 degrees so warming can occur. Serve white wines near 47 degrees. Serving white wine too warm dulls the flavor.
Don’t allow the warnings on labels about sulfites scare you. American manufacturers often have warning labels concerning sulfates, but in reality all wines have them. There is the occasional individual that is allergic to sulfite, but the majority of people will be just fine.
Contrary to popular belief, not every white wine needs to be chilled when served. Not all white wines have similar textures, meaning some are served better at different temperatures. For example, almost everyone enjoys white wines when they are quite cold, while red wines tend to be preferred cold.
If you truly want to appreciate wine, visit a vineyard. Visiting the areas where your favorite wine is made will give you a greater appreciation of the different taste of the grapes. You will be able to better understand and explain the wine to other people. Not to mention the areas are lovely and offer a good travel experience.
Don’t fall for marketing strategies. Occasionally, promotions will endorse certain company lines. Those brands may regularly sport a twenty fold increase. If it is expensive it does not always mean it is better. Know the types of wines you prefer and stick to them when out on the town.
Vintage is not when the wine was created, but rather the year that the grapes were harvested. If a label states “2010” on the label, that can mean the grapes were harvested in the fall of that year. This wine is then fermented and aged inside wine barrels until it is time for it to be bottled and sold. The bottle of wine would end up in the stores around 2011 or 2012!
There are so many different wines available for sale today. Have an idea of the wine you want when you go to your local store. Whether you need wine for sipping or seasoning, you’ll find this article filled with practical, perfect tips on enjoying wine.