Wine and meat go together like peas and carrots. The combination of a flavorful wine and a nicely cooked meat make one of the best meal experiences. There are many different wines and meats to choose from, so creating the perfect pairing isn’t always easy. That’s why the following article has tips for selecting wine that will go with the meat of your choice.
Particularly if you are just discovering wine, don’t buy too much of any one thing. You may want to grab several bottles of whatever you enjoy, but as you continue learning more, you are going to start to like different things. You probably won’t be interested in the wine that you enjoyed several months ago.
All wines do not taste good while at the same temperature. White wines are better when they are cold, while red wines should be a little below room temperature. Drinking them at the wrong temperature can change the way they are supposed to take, which may change your overall opinion.
Purchase the Magnum bottles in the store, which are a bit larger, giving you the best bang for your buck. These wines will generally run for about 10 or 15 dollars, and will last a little bit longer for the price. This is a great way to maximize your monetary value of wine if you drink often.
White wines do not always need to be chilled before serving. Not all white wines have similar textures, meaning some are served better at different temperatures. Chardonnay and pinot gris are two wines that benefit from being served warm, while sauvignon blanc is best served chilled.
If you have a wine cellar and you need a bottle for a party of special occasion, do not bring it upstairs until the day of the event. Wine needs to be brought up the day of the event in order to reach room temperature. But, bringing it up to soon could ruin the wine.
Do not limit yourself to countries that are known for exporting wines such as Spain or France. In fact, some of the best wines on the market are from Argentina or from New Zealand. You should not form your opinion of a country after tasting only a couple different wines.
Don’t just go for wines that are expensive or highly-rated. This can be a real temptation if you have a lot of disposable income, especially when once you did not. Rather, drink a lot of styles of wine so you can choose the ones you personally consider the best. Fill your cellar with these, regardless of price, label or popular opinion.
When cooking with wine, let your recipe help guide your choice. If you are simply using wine to de-glaze a pan, a splash of just about anything will do. However, if wine is a main ingredient, such as in Coq au Vin, you may want to splurge a little to do the dish justice.
Don’t be afraid to play with the temperature of your wine. Some wine is best chilled, while others taste wonderful at room temperature. Experiment a little and see what works best for you and your palate. Be careful, though, with white wine. You don’t want it to be too cold when you drink it.
Take a good look at your wine before you taste it. You can tell a lot about a wine by its appearance. If you practice this, you will soon learn a lot from a wine by its color. Look at the wine from many angles so that you can see all of the colors it has to offer.
If you are cooking with wine, don’t hesitate to ask the wine shop-owner/manager for advice. He or she has likely tasted most of the wines available, and can give you an educated suggestion for wines that will enhance your recipe. The shop may even have wine on hand for tasting.
Break out of the pairings mythology. It’s not the case that reds only taste good with meats and whites only with fish. There are wines on both sides that pair up well with these dishes. Open up your mind to experimenting with these variations. Otherwise you may be limiting your creativity with wine!
If you have decided to serve white wine at your next gathering, make sure you only store it in the fridge a few hours before serving time. Storing the white wine in the fridge too long (a few days) can affect the way your wine tastes as well as the aroma.
Check ahead for reservations before planning a stop at your local wine venue. Many people make the mistake of thinking that none are needed for public events. Without the call, you may end up turned away.
If you are cooking with wine, the type of dish you are making indicates whether you will need a dry or sweet wine. For savory dishes, always choose a dry wine. If you want a dry white wine, try a chardonnay. Dry red wines include merlot and pinot noir.
When you try a wine for the first time, you should sip it, and then inhale over it inside your mouth. You really do need to slurp! Swish it around gently in your mouth to savor all of the wine’s undertones. As you inhale, you will taste a multitude of flavors.
As stated before, when wine and meat come together, there’s nothing that can match the flavor it creates. Combining the right wine with meat takes a little skill and knowledge. Once the contents of this article are stored in your memory, you’ll be able to perfectly choose a wine for any meat that you eat.
