Is your wine knowledge base rather large? If wine is your forte, or if you are embarking on a quest for wine knowledge, this article can help. Wine is about so much more than that first sip, and the more you know about it, the more enjoyable it becomes. Read on to learn more, and you’ll be happy to have done it.

Pinot Grigio is a great choice for a wine served with your seafood dinner. A Pinot Grigio enhances the flavor of many different types of food. Besides Pinot Grigio, many other white wines complement seafood well. Try a bottle with your next meal, and you will probably find that you enjoy the combination of flavors.

In terms of trying wines, have faith in your own tastes. For instance, if you have a friend who is into a specific type of wine, but you hate it with a passion, don’t just blindly accept your friend’s recommendation. You will end up wasting money.

If you are looking to increase your wine collection, try picking individual bottles to use as testers. You might want to try many different types first, as there are a bunch to choose from. A bottle should always be tried before buying a case.

Wine can be used as a sauce that works well with most beef dishes. To do this, simply add a bit of butter to your red wine. Simmer and thicken the sauce while the alcohol content is minimized. Then, lightly drizzle over the beef entree.

Don’t be scared of labels containing sulfite warnings. All wines are going to contain some sulfites, but it’s the American made versions that must show a warning. Sulfites may trigger allergic reactions however, you needn’t worry about this if you’ve never experienced such reactions before.

Both red and white wines should be kept in their respective glasses. White wines should go in narrow glasses to prevent excess warm air from penetrating their surface. Reds, on the other hand, like to be served in a wider glass, with a large mouth. That allows for plenty of air to touch the wine surface, warming the wine and developing flavor as it works with the air.

Various factors determine the proper temperature for white wines. Each white wine is a different texture so it might be better to serve them at different temperatures. Sauvignon blanc should be served very cold, while a chardonnay or pinot gris can stand to be a little warmer.

You can learn a lot from experts, but do not follow every single one of their recommendations. Any expert worth his weight in salt will admit to his own fallibility. Also, nobody has the exact same tastes. So, never take an expert’s word on a wine over your own taste.

Plan any trips to a vineyard long in advance. Make sure you have a designated driver and know how much you want to spend before getting there. You should write up a list of the things you would like to know before you go, and be sure to think about the type of wine you love so the winery can make suggestions.

If you want a lighter wine, the color has no bearing. The alcohol content is the same in red and white wine. Whites are lighter in taste, though. For the most delicate of tastes, select a light Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Grigio.

The types of grapes determine if a wine is red or white. Purple grapes make up your red wines. Light colored and flavored wines are generally created using green grapes. There are more subtle differences, however, than just the color of the grapes.

After getting all this information, you’re ready to make some great wine choices. Try the suggestions outlined above and don’t hesitate to share with friends. When you are cooking with it or want to make a good impression on your next dinner guest, you now have what it takes to shine.

When you have a good bottle of wine, it will cheer things up and make the party. Understanding not only the selection process, but how to properly store and serve wine makes all the difference. Read on below to discover all you need to learn about serving, storing and tasting wine.

Wine makes for a terrific sauce for beef dishes. Start by adding s tablespoonful of butter and a dash of red wine to your saucepan. Simmer and thicken the sauce while the alcohol content is minimized. Next, pour a little over the beef.

Red and white wines have their own separate style of glassware. White wines taste better in a small glass because it prevents air from hitting the drink. Reds, on the other hand, like to be served in a wider glass, with a large mouth. A wider glass will let more air get into the glass, awakening the flavor as it reaches the air.

Don’t be afraid of experimentation. The best method of learning all about different wines is experimenting. Try one that is recommended from a shop person, try a new region or try one based on the talking card next to a bottle on the shelf. Why limit yourself when there are so many opportunities to discover your next favorite wine?

Experiment when you order wine when eating out at a restaurant. If you pick something your dinner guests do not know, it may also increase your image. The high price won’t shock them, and they will not have any preconceived notions about the wine.

A nice and rich dessert wine makes a great choice for a drink after dinner. French Champagne, California Port and Italian Moscato are all great choices. Your guests will love to drink a glass of wine near the fire.

Do not choose a wine because of its color. The alcohol content is the same in red and white wine. With that in mind, white wines are usually smoother and not hard to drink. For the most delicate of tastes, select a light Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Grigio.

Select the right stemware for the wine you are serving. It’s important that you use classy glassware that is spotless, because this will help elevate the wine in the eyes of your guests. If your current stemware is worn, cracked or chipped, think about buying a new set.

Desserts and wine go together like peanut butter and jelly. A wine that accompanies dessert dishes is usually a sweeter variety of wine than the wines for the main course. Varieties of port wines have a natural sweetness, complementary to most sweets. Best flavoring is found around 55 degrees.

When tasting a wine, you should try isolating different flavors and smells. You might find the wine takes on the flavor of a fruit, etc. Secondary notes might include smoke, oak, honey and even gourmand notes like caramel or vanilla. Your sense of smell is vital in achieving full enjoyment from a glass of wine.

Toasts are quite common at social gatherings where wine is involved. Of course, it is tradition to all clink your glasses after the toast. It may surprise you to know that there is an art to clinking glasses so they do not shatter. To avoid this, angle it slightly so that your bells are aligned and that the rim is pointed away from the other person’s glass.

Open a bottle of red wine before serving. Oxygen will have a chance to mix with the wine. Some flavors are actually revealed once the wine comes in contact with the air.

It is plain to see there are a variety of factors in deciding how wine should be kept and used properly. Ignoring this information can cause your next social gathering to be disastrous. Use the information that you have learned here, and your guests will really enjoy their next glass of wine a lot more.