I need to learn about wine... fast?!
I need to learn about wine... fast?
Anything will help. Thanks.
Answers:
Source(s):
http://www.wine.com/aboutwine/basics/typ...
http://www.wikipedia.org
Check out its main article on "wine", which is full of great information and links. Also, as you come across various little terms in other readings (for example, "Chablis," "fortified wine," "oaky," etc.) you can try looking up each term on Wikipedia for an easy and detailed explanation.
To be extra fast, I think this particular section might be a good place to start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/wine#classi...
You also might want to make sure to look up "Wine Tasting" on Wikipedia for the fancy terms connosuiers use to describe wine.
Often the people who work at liquor stores can be full of useful information about wine... that's where i learned the little I know about wine. Don't be afraid to ask them.
who you
Just a quick rule white meat white wine, red meat red wine. Red pasta sauce a red wine, white sauce white wine. There are so many choices you really need to get a taste for them, but if you go to a winery web site they will have far more knowledge and are very helpful.
wine fast? thats not going to happen. if you don't drink wines frequently i recommend cheap stuff. vintage tends to be dryer and more demanding. you want a simple good wine? if you are going dark red try an australian shiraz (good with beef etc). a cheap one is good -- the bulk of the australian wine industry is based on one grape. it is also known as syrah in the rest of the world. not to be consfused with petit syrah -- that is another grape entirely.
try italian blends -- bardolino is a good light fruity red. chianti is a classic for eating with tomato based italian pasta dishes and pizzas -- also mentioned by hannibal lector as perfect with liver and fava beans. suave and frascati are white blends. italians blend wine kind of like you would blend spices when cooking. the results are usually better than relying on one grape for everything.
when in doubt go with the pinots -- both grapes make a consistantly decent wine even californians can't mess up -- pinot grigio is a white wine pinot noir is a red.
california produces a lot of poop for wine so if you don't know what you are getting avoid it. seriously avoid california chardonnays and merlots -- they taste like oak leaves. yum. california sticks flavorless stuff in barrels lined with oak in an attempt to give it some oomph.
i am usually impressed with wines distributed under the pepperwood grove label if you want cheap. for 5 bucks a bottle you arne't going to find better. they are a distributer and their wine comes from all over -- whatever they can find cheap and drinkable they distribute.
mostly wine is about your preference -- but you have to drink a lot of it to find your preference.
my current preference is a spanish red called a tempranillo. its great with all kinds of mediterranean foods. mano a mano makes a great one and its only about 9 bucks a bottle.
salud.
The best way to learn about wine is to drink lots of it!!
So open a bottle, fast!
I suggest Wine for Dummies. Or better yet travel to your local winerys and/or wine festivals. The more you talk to people over fine vino... the more you will get into it and learn more.
Also watch the movie "SIDEWAYS"
Quick help: Chablis is dry Rhine is sweet Burgundy is dry red rose wine is slightly sweet, Those are all blends of different grape's. Varietal wines made by one type of grape is Zinfandel red wine, Cab sauv red, merlot red all on the dryer side's. Chardonnay white dry side savinon blanc dryest of the white wines, White Zinfandel's blush in color use the zinfandel grape and they remove the grape skin so it's becomes a blush in color. Best I can do for a two min's Good luck.
Tasting wines- white,red.dry,sweet in that order
White wines- chicken, fish/seafood, vegitarian
Red wines- Beef, pork, game
Chill whites 20 min before serving
Don't chill reds unless it's a desert wine
Find out what a decanter is...buy one...use it on any red wine,
pour the red wine in and let it sit for at least a half hour.
Good labels to look for- Blackstone,Houge,Penfolds,Thre... thieves, good wines both red and white for under $20
Keep a wine journal (note pad, pen )
Cheers!
The Wines for Dummies video is really good. It will teach you the basics of wine and you can expand your knowlege from there. The video should be available through your local library. Learning about wine can be complicated. Start by learning the different grapes and styles wine produces. Andrea Immer has a few really good books also.
I'm not sure what it is that you need to learn about wine. Wine is one of those things that you never really know everything there is to know.
If you want to know the steps of tasting wine so you feel more confident, visit this site for step-by-step directions with pictures: http://www.cheers2wine.com/wine-tasting....
If you want some knowledge about the different types of wine (including how to pronounce them, what the typical flavors are, and which food goes best with each), check this out:
http://www.cheers2wine.com/food-and-wine...
One of the best ways to learn about wine is to visit wineries and sample wine in their tasting rooms. The host or hostess at the tasting room is usually eager to teach you about their wines. You will be able to taste a large variety of wines and learn which ones you prefer.
Cheers!