It can be hard to find a bottle of wine in a store, restaurant, or grocery store.Picking red or white, choosing the type of wine, selecting the year, and teaming the wine with food are just some of the choices.There are some basic rules that can help you choose a bottle of wine for any occasion, or to go with any food.
Step 1: Light reds with meat and fish.
Light red wines have a lower alcohol content.Light is what they feel in your mouth.Light red wines include pinot noir, schiava, and gamay.Chicken Salmon Breads pair well with white meat, roasted vegetables, and rich fish dishes.
Step 2: When you're eating meat and cheese, go for medium reds.
Medium-sized-reds have an alcohol content between 12 and 13 percent and feel more substantial in your mouth.Medium reds include merlot, cabernet Franc, and sangiovese.These types of wines are great with a variety of meat and cheese.
Step 3: Reds are good for meats and cheeses.
Reds with an alcohol content over 13 percent feel full and thick in your mouth.Red wines that fall into this category include cabernet sauvignon, rioja, and zinfandel.Lamb and steak are two of the foods that complement these wines.
Step 4: Pair dry reds with pink food.
A dry wine has no sugar left in it.It's a good idea to pair dry red wines with foods that have a pink color.
Step 5: Light whites are good for veggies and fish.
Light white wines have a lower alcohol content than light reds.The wines include sauvignon, pinot grigio, and pinot Blanc.Light foods such as salads and cooked green vegetables are best with them.
Step 6: Pair sweet light whites with sweet, salty, and smoky foods.
The residual sugar from the fermentation process can be found in sweet wines.Dry wine is different from sweet wine.White wines that are sweet include Riesling, moscato, and Gewurztraminer.These are great with soft cheeses like brie.
Step 7: Whites can be complemented with rich foods.
Whites have an alcohol content of over 13 percent.Wines in this category include chardonnay, white rioja, and marsanne.The bold flavor of the wine and high alcohol content goes well with rich foods.
Step 8: Light foods and cheese can be served with sparkling wine.
The wine has a high carbon dioxide content.There are examples of sparkling wine.These types of wines compliment a lot of foods.
Step 9: Choose fruity, sweet, and light white wines.
It's difficult to pair wine with spicy foods because the wine can accentuate the heat.A white wine that is sweeter than dry, light and lower in alcohol content is the best choice for spicy food.There are good wines for spicy food.
Step 10: For a budget red, you can get a bottle of cabernet sauvignon.
Even cheaper red wines of this grape are likely to be good because it is easy to work with.When: A restaurant's wine list is limited, you're on an airplane, or you want an inexpensive gift for a lover of red wine.
Step 11: For a budget white, opt for chardonnay.
Even budget chardonnays are going to be acceptable compared to wines that have subtler aromas.It's great to travel with cheaper chardonnays.They are good for dinner parties.
Step 12: Younger wines can be purchased on a budget.
Wines that are cheaper and fruitier tend to lose some of their flavor as they get older.If you're buying budget or mid-range wines, choose bottles that are between two and three years old.
Step 13: Pick a bottle of wine for cooking.
The high acidity of sauvignon blanc wines make them ideal for cooking, including in salad dressings, in white sauces, and as a replacement for lemon or lime juice.It is great for cooking because it has a bit of a kick.
Step 14: Before buying a vintage bottle, do some research.
The temperature, frost, and diseases can affect the flavor of a wine.Because vintage wines weren't produced in recent years, there's no way to know which of these factors may have affected the flavor of a vintage bottle.Vintage reports, buying tips for vintage bottles, reviews, and ratings are some of the resources online.Before buying a vintage bottle, it is a good idea to look up information about the wine.
Step 15: A bottle of fortified wine can be used as a digestif.
A digestif is a beverage that you drink after a meal to aid digestion.Fortified wine has stronger spirits, like brandy, added to it.Port Vermouth Sherry Madeira Marsala is a common fortified wine.
Step 16: When selecting a bottle of wine, ask for help.
You can always ask for help to find the right bottle.You can ask the wait staff at the restaurant.At the liquor store, ask a store associate to point you in the direction of a wine you might like based on a few criteria.
Step 17: Pick a type.
A wine is described by the grape variety used to make it.Each of the varietals has its own characteristics and aromas.A red wine with hints of cherry and currants and a pink wine made with a blend of pink and red grapes are popular.
Step 18: You can choose a wine based on the region.
The region method focuses on where the grapes were grown rather than the type of grape used.Wine labels are more popular in Europe than in North America.Bordeaux is an area of France known for their centuries-old red wines and Port is a fortified wine that comes from Porto and the Douro Valley in Portugal.