What is the proper way to enjoy wine?!
i want to know exactly what to do to get the best out of the wine? what are the proper steps to "taste" the wine as well.
thanks
Answers: I'd like to learn more how to enjoy wine,i got a bunch of different advices, like open the bottle and let it sit for a while, swirl the wine before tasting, etc.
i want to know exactly what to do to get the best out of the wine? what are the proper steps to "taste" the wine as well.
thanks
There is a lot to be said for airing the wine. It allows the "genie" to come forth.
Rather than opening the bottle and letting it sit, pour some out into a glass. This causes the wine inside the bottle to become agitated with the air and will speed the process.
Red wines should be served at cool temperatures (60f - 65f).
If the wine is too warm alcohol will evaporate up your nose as you attempt to enjoy it and you will not be able to taste the fruit flavors.
White wine can be served straight from the fridge, but after opening, don't chill it any more. As it warms up and airs you will notice changes in the aromas, flavors and textures; a good thing.
Wine tasting -
Look at the wine in your glass. Hold the glass at an angle against a white background. It should appear clear (unless it is old or labeled "unfiltered" or "unfined". The color should correspond to what the type and age of the wine suggests. It will take experience to learn these things.
Smell the wine. Swirl the wine in the glass to aireate and to coat the sides of the glass with the wine. There should not be any "off" odors - vinegar, wet cement (sign of a "corked" bottle), etc. instead of looking for flaws, look for charm and beauty in the wine. Too many tasters are obsessed with un-enjoying wine.
Taste the wine. put a small amount of wine in your mouth and slowly draw air over your tongue and the wine. Exhale through your nose. This will permeate your being with the flavor and aroma at once. Taste is about flavor and texture. The wine should taste of the grape or and/or region from which the wine is made. Again, look for the good but notice the bad as well.
Remember, it's about enjoyment first, analysis last unless you are a winemaker or winery lab tech.
BTW - the sniffing, swirling techniques are not about snobbery, etc. they are the "kicking of the tires" of wine analysis. Winemaking is an art form and deserves to be treated as such. You wouldn't want music that you'd written to be performed by a terrible band or played on a crappy sound system for people to evaluate, hmmm?
Pour it in to a glass and drink it. While things like swirling the wine and letting it breath do enhance the drinking experience somebody who isn't well versed in wine really isn't going to notice the difference. Alcohol is best enjoyed on your terms not every body else's.
With Cheese and Fresh Baked Bread!!
depends on the wine.
It's easy to say not to listen to anyone on how to enjoy wine, but there are things that make wine more enjoyable then others. You could enjoy Port with pickled cabbage for example, however it might be even more enjoyable with some Dark Chocolate. Read a good book on wine and explore a little...
PS. NO wine goes with pickled cabbage it (the wine) can't cut the vinegar...
Remember a good wine is a wine you like...
A great wine is a wine you like that's cheap!
The swirl, sniffing the bouquet, decanting it all varies based snobbery you want. There is nothing wrong with the levels of snobbery, opening and enjoying a bottle of wine should be a show, that is the fun of it. If it is older and has a lot of sediment then decant it. If it is young decant it and swirl it to add more O2 to the wine.
Pair it with foods to watch it change cheeses, meats, olives are all great things to watch and see how the wine reacts. Artichokes can kill a wine based on it's acidity but mushrooms in olive oil!
Start by buying a decent one. We always wait for half price offers, when you get a good one at an affordable price. Red improves for opening in advance and serving at room temperature. You can drink white straight away & usually its nice a bit chilled. Basically all you do then is decide whether you like it or not - don't be taken in by all the hype. Until you've had lots of experience there's no point in all the swill it sniff it taste it routine, because you won't know what you should be comparing it with, and who cares anyway? Just enjoy it and don't worry.
Have a good dinner that goes with the wine and some good slow music
Definitely let the wine breathe (as in opening it and letting it sit for about 30 minutes) You could aslo pour it in your class and let it breathe as well for a litle shorter amount of time. Make sure you let the wine sit on your tastebuds a few seconds before swallowing. Do this a couple or a few times. Because the first taste isnt always the best possible. Theres wineries all over the country..Id look into making a day or weekend trip to one and go to a tasting. They'll give you a bunch of great tips and its a great enviroment.
Il vino e gli amici migliorano con l'età.