Avoid buying trendy wines. You may hear a lot of buzz about a new wine; however, this does not make it right for you. Just because a celebrity is seen drinking a wine, this does not make it noteworthy. The real truth is in researching the wine itself and knowing if it suits your palate.
Read up on wine during your free time. The more that you learn about wine, the better you will be at picking new wines to add to your collection. There is a lot to know, so spend time learning when you can if you want to become a true wine connoisseur.
When shopping for wine, look for bottles you will drink. Do not let an expert or a seller influence your purchase. There is no use in spending your money on an expensive bottle if you will not have the occasion to drink it or might not enjoy this particular wine.
Always take notes at wine tastings. Whether you are touring Napa or just going on a local winery tour, it is important to take notes on each variety you try. Give them ratings and write your impressions down so that later (after you've had a few samples!) when they all start to blur together, you'll remember which you liked and which ones to purchase.
When selecting a red wine, you need to give the wine a chance to breathe after opening. This gives the wine more time to interact with the oxygen in the air. If you are pressed for time, pour the wine through an aerator and into a decanter so that it breathes properly first.
When drinking red wine, the proper temperature is room temperature. If your wine is not at that temperature when you are going to drink it, you can warm the wine and glasses in hot water for a bit, then dry them off before pouring. This will ensure that your wine will be at the proper temperature when drinking.
Use a wine chiller. The taste of wine changes drastically with temperature and each variety of wine requires a specific serving temperature for ideal taste. The refrigerator alone is not going to achieve the correct temperatures. Instead, invest in a wine chiller with built-in settings for different wines so you can enjoy each bottle to its fullest.
Remember the ingredients in the meal when trying to pair a wine. Certain wines pair better with certain ingredients. If you're eating meat, you need to know if it's red or white. You need to know if you will be using dried or fresh herbs and if the dish will be fruity or spicy. Knowing this information can help you choose a wine that accents your meal nicely.
Do you feel more like you are an authority on wine now? You should now be equipped with the proper information to use to help your experiences go as planned. Cook with the right wines, know what brands are favorites, and much more. Use the advice you've read here to make things easier on you.