The times have changed, and views have transformed. Gone are the days when a man used to decide what would be served to drink. The women are now buying their own drinks and know well what needs to be served. This list contains all you need to know about wine. We’re not covering all the technical stuff, but a little knowledge will help you a long way.
- Know what tannins are
Wines have varied level of tannins, a chewy substance that comes from grape skins, seeds, and stems. They can leave a tobacco-like, dry substance in your mouth after you are done with your wine. A well-aged wine will have structured tannins that will taste amazing with heavy foods like steak. Immature tannins taste abrasive.
- Learn to ask questions at wine shop other than “Where’s your Malbec?”
It is okay to request Malbec. But there are other options that you can try. Look around the shop at the varieties available. Ask questions regarding the price and the brand, and explain your preferences. You can also discuss the occasion it is needed for. Trust your retailer to offer you the best.
- Don’t call it “Cab”
Avoid slangs when you talk about wine. Show some respect and do not spoil the sanctity of the heavenly drink. So whenever you need a wine made from the grape Cabernet Sauvignon (pronounced Sow-veen-yon), say the entire name. Yes, you will have to learn the pronunciation, because a cab is a vehicle that you call for whenever you need a ride.
- How to tell if a wine is corked
You should also learn to recognize if the wine has a condition known as cork taint. If you taste it and there is a musty pool filter thing going on with a peculiarly weird taste, then it probably has cork taint. The issue is common, and you should avoid drinking these types of wine. Restaurants understand this problem, and if you find the issue, the sommelier will take it away. If you are not sure, ask the sommelier to taste and help.
- Wines are dry
People need to stop expecting that wine will be sweet. Wine generally has a dry taste. Know that wine only will be sweet if it has residual sugar. Unless you are specifically looking for a dessert wine, imagine wine on a broader spectrum. Wine can be fruit-forward, while on the other side, it will be acidic or possibly tannic. An excellent food wine is supposed to be acidic. It helps wine stay fresh and cut the fat in food.
- When in Europe, do as the Europeans do
In Europe, wines are named after the places they come from. For example, Beaujolais refers to any wine from that eponymous region in central France. On the contrary, in the U.S., wines are named after their grape names.
- Champagne is wine from Champagne — everything else is “bubbly” or “sparkling wine”
Champagne is the sparkling wine from that specific region in France. It is more expensive than other sparkling wines and is a tad costly due to the labor intensive procedure and high land costs there. If you want sparkling wine on the cheaper side that is elegant and good, ask for a French Crémant. The procedure to make French Crémant is the same. Both use the customary méthode traditionnelle.
- Chablis
It is pronounced as Shah-Bli. Wines do not have easy pronunciations, so it would be better if you research and practice them well. Chablis is one of the most famous, elegant, delicious, and unique types of white wine. These wines are made from Chardonnay. They are extremely tasty and can offer you an ethereal drinking experience. Most of the good bottles are priced at no more than $25.
- When in a restaurant, always remember, bottles are a better value than by the glass
All restaurants mark up their by-the-glass rate. If your party consists of two or more people, it will be cost-effective to get a bottle. If you are not used to ordering bottles from the list, then do not hesitate to ask for help. Keep your confidence in place and ask the sommelier for all the needed guidance.
- Wine’s overrated rules
Wine-drinking culture boasts of unnecessary rules. Learn to avoid these. In fact, ignore them as much as you can. Have sparkling wine with the main course or drink rosé year-round. Experiment with your wine according to your own will. Some of the best drinking experiences result from experimenting.
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