Whether you are new to wine or have been enjoying it for a while, it’s good to know the basics, especially when you’re hosting friends. I’m still learning myself, but I’ve picked up some fun tips! With a little knowledge, you can feel confident choosing, buying, and serving wine.
Grapes for Wine
Did you know that wine is made from special grapes called vitis vinifera? These grapes are different from the ones you eat at home. They are smaller, have thicker skins, and more seeds. These grapes are also sweeter because they need to turn into alcohol when they ferment. There are two main types: black-skinned grapes for red wine and bronze-skinned grapes for white wine.
Types of Wine
There are a few main types of wine:
- Red Wines: Made from black-skinned grapes and can be either dry or sweet. The red color comes from the juice staying with the grape skins during winemaking.
- White Wines: Made from bronze-skinned grapes and can also range from dry to sweet.
- Blush or Rosé Wines: These are made from black-skinned grapes or a mix of black and bronze grapes.
- Sparkling Wines: These can be red, white, or rosé, but most are white or rosé. Sparkling wines, like Champagne and Prosecco, are bubbly and can also be dry or sweet.
- Fortified Wines: Extra alcohol is added to these wines. Port and Sherry are examples of fortified wines.
- Single Varietal Wines: These wines are made from just one type of grape.
- Wine Blends: These are made by mixing different types of grapes together.
White Wine Knowledge
- Chardonnay: This white wine has fruity flavors like apple and pear, along with a creamy lemon taste. It pairs well with seafood, like lobster, and dishes with rich sauces.
- Off-Dry Riesling: A lightly sweet wine with flavors of peach and green apple. It’s great with spicy food because its sweetness balances the heat.
- Sauvignon Blanc: Crisp and high in acidity, this wine pairs well with salads, seafood, and cheeses.
- Pinot Grigio: Light and crisp with hints of pear and lemon. It’s perfect with delicate fish like tilapia.
Red Wine Knowledge
- Dry Rosé: A pink wine with flavors of strawberries and citrus. It pairs well with cheese, chicken, and seafood.
- Cabernet Sauvignon: A full-bodied red with flavors of blackberry and plum. It pairs perfectly with steak or lamb.
- Pinot Noir: A light red wine with flavors of cherries and spices. As a matter of fact, it is great with fatty fish like salmon or pork chops.
- Syrah: This spicy red pairs well with barbecue and grilled meats.
Sparkling Wine Knowledge
Sparkling wines are great for celebrations, but they also go well with salty or fried foods, as well as roasted veggies and fish.
Tasting and Drinking Wine Knowledge
When tasting wine, think about these things:
- Finish: How long the flavors last after you swallow.
- Body: How heavy or light the wine feels.
- Acidity: This is the tartness or sourness.
- Tannins: These make the wine taste a little bitter.
- Alcohol: This adds warmth or “heat” to the wine.
- Sweetness: How much sugar you taste in the wine.
- Aromas: What you smell in the wine, like fruity or floral scents.
- Flavors: What the wine tastes like on your tongue.
Choosing Wine for a Dinner
When picking a wine for dinner, it’s fun to choose one for the main meal and another for dessert. Pairing heavier wines with heavier foods and lighter wines with lighter foods can help bring out the best flavors in both. You can read more about pairing food and wine here!
Wines for a Party
Wine tasting parties are so much fun! For great ideas on awesome snacks for your party, check this out! For a party, pick one white and one red wine:
- Whites: Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio.
- Reds: Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Sparkling Wine: Prosecco or Spanish Cava are affordable options.
To figure out how much wine to buy, plan for each person to drink one 5-ounce glass per hour. For a two-hour party with 15 guests, you’ll need six bottles of wine.
Serving Wine Knowledge
The way you serve wine matters! I’ve done a bit of research on that. Check that out here! Here’s a quick guide:
- Red Wine: Serve at room temperature, around 60-65°F.
- White Wine: Serve chilled, between 45-50°F.
- Sparkling Wine: Serve extra chilled, between 40-45°F.
If you need to cool wine quickly, put the bottle in ice water for about 20 minutes.
Decanting
You don’t have to decant your wine, but sometimes it helps. Decanting is when you pour the wine into another container to remove sediment or to let it “breathe.” This can soften strong wines like Cabernet Sauvignon.
Build Your Wine Collection
Now that you know a bit about wine, it’s time to build your collection! We offer an Exclusive Wine Club. In fact, you can get these wines delivered to your door. And if you refer three friends, your next month’s wine is free! Sign up NOW to get access to these EXCLUSIVE wines.
