Wine is served at the finest restaurants and the most casual cafes. Sometimes buying or drinking wine can be frustrating. When you want to cut through the maze of wine, this article is the best place to start, so read on.

Buy one single bottle of wine and taste test that first. You can always purchase additional bottles later. Since there are many wines, it can be difficult to decide on one. Do not buy a case at first.

Wine Cellar

To get more value and life from your wines, get a wine cellar. This can be important if you regularly purchase expensive wine and need to store it someplace other than your kitchen. Any wine that will be kept for an amount of time can be preserved well within a wine cellar.

Sometimes, you will find that cheap wine can do the trick. If you want an excellent and affordable wine, purchase a bottle from Chile. Most Chilean wines can be bought at a decent price point. When in doubt, opt for a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Sauvignon Blanc. Other countries with reasonably-priced wines are Argentina, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Don’t shy away from joining a discussion forum online. This is such a broad area that having others to share experiences with can be very valuable. Check the forum out first before registering to see if it’s what you’re looking for.

Your wine should be served at the ideal serving temperature to keep the flavor at its maximum potential. Red wines should be served at 60 degrees for maximum taste. Pour the wine at about 58 degrees and let it warm up in your glass. White wines need to be served at approximately 47 degrees. They don’t taste good if they are too warm.

Don’t be afraid of sulfite warnings. Every wine contains sulfites, but the warning is only required from American distributors. While sulfites have been known to cause certain allergic reactions in rare cases, you shouldn’t worry if you haven’t noticed anything before.

Do not hesitate to experiment when shopping for wine. Experiment by trying new wines, and learn about other countries and their wines. Read the shelf cards, try a wine from a different country or ask for a recommendation from the shop owner. The wine you find might be a hidden gem.

Visits to wineries should always be planned ahead of time. Make sure you have a designated driver and know how much you want to spend before getting there. Make a list of questions you want to ask and be ready to explain what kind of wine you enjoy.

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 you have stemware that is chipped or outdated, invest in new pieces.

Do not drink wines you do not enjoy. Some establishments attempt to promote only certain brands or varieties. These are generally priced much higher then they should be. More expensive prices don’t automatically mean an increase in quality. Figure out what you enjoy and stick to it.

Since you now know a bit more about wine, going through a wine store or reading over the wine menu should be easy for you. It will enable you to serve your guests wine or enjoy it by yourself without any frustration. Your learning here will make you a sommelier before you know it.