Once you properly give your glass of wine a swirl, something called "legs" will start to drip down the sides. This will serve as an indicator of the age of the wine as well as the concentration. Wine that is older and more refined in taste will require a longer time for the so-called "legs" to fall.
Swirling is part of tasting wine. Make the circular motion necessary from your elbow rather than your wrist. Doing so will enable you to smell the wine, enhancing the flavor of it as well. Making the motion just using the wrist is difficult and often will not have the desired effect.
It can be hard to choose the right wine for the dish you are preparing. There are many great sources you can use to help find a good match. The Internet can be a wonderful resource, and asking the advice of friends can be just as valuable. Clerks in stores that have a large assortment of wine can usually answer most questions that you have as well.
To provide yourself with an opportunity to try several different varieties of wine, consider hosting a wine tasting party. Ask all of your friends to bring a bottle of wine and a food dish to go with it. Everyone gets the opportunity to try a little bit of each wine, making it a fun way to experience several different varieties.
Always be prepared for any occasion by keeping a mixed collection of wines nicely stored in a cool dark place. Setting up a centrally located closet as a wine cellar is a good idea. By keeping a few good bottles of wine at the ready, you will be able to graciously play host at any impromptu occasion.
If you used a wine as an ingredient in the meal you cooked, consider pairing that same wine with the meal when serving. This usually will produce an excellent combination because many of the flavors of the wine are contained within the meal you cooked. Even if it was only a marinade, the flavors still show through.
Red wine is a great choice when eating red meats such as steak or beef dishes. Drinking red wine with these foods can really help to bring out the flavor of both the meal and the wine. You can also use the red wine while cooking to help add to the flavor of the meat.
No one can be a conoisseur overnight, but now that you have these tips you are that much closer to being a wine pro. Just use the tips in your everyday life to help you think of wine in a new way. You will be sure to be rewarded; enjoy!