Wine is pretty much found everywhere, from the corner grocer to exquisite restaurants. That said, the whole field of wine can be confusing and frustrating. If you are ready to simplify the puzzle of wine, start here.
When you are trying a new wine, trust your instincts. Just because someone recommends a pricey wine that you might not otherwise drink doesn’t mean you can go against your own preferences for no other reason. You’ll just be wasting money with a purchase that you thought you would dislike anyway.
Try to arrange a tasting before you make a purchase, no matter how well reviewed a wine may be. You might want to try many different types first, as there are a bunch to choose from. It is wise to purchase just one bottle before you decide to buy a whole case.
It’s a wise idea to make sure that you serve all wines at the correct temperature. Red wines, for example are the best when you serve them near 65 degrees. Pour the wine at about 58 degrees and let it warm up in your glass. Drink it at about 47 degrees. Too much warmth can give white wines a dull taste.
Use the right glass for your wine. The white wine glass is designed to keep the liquid cool, and thus is narrower. Reds, though, should be in wider glasses with broad mouths. The rich flavors of red wines will awaken as the wine warms up to room temperature and is exposed to air.
If you are going to buy wine for tailgating, buy one that has a screwtop. Screw tops don’t need a wine opener and are easy to open. They are convenient because you can re-seal them, where as corks have a tendency to leak.
You should now be able to find your way around the wine store or restaurant menu easily. It will be easy to drink wine on your own or serve it to your friends. Your education has now made you the wine master.