Whether you're a wine connoisseur or just dabbling in some tasting, there are some tips you can always keep in mind to enjoy wine.
1. Relax and enjoy.
You don’t have to have a masters of wine degree to enjoy wine. All you need is a bottle of wine, a corkscrew or the ability to twist off a screw cap. And the best wine is the wine you enjoy. Don’t be intimidated by other people’s opinions.
2. Buy wine within your budget.
Good wine doesn’t have to be expensive. Expensive wine often needs to be aged for years in a wine cellar to be at its best, especially if it is a red. Choosing an affordable wine that doesn’t live up to your expectations won’t be a traumatic experience.
3. Sample a wine by itself and with good.
Although some wines are best enjoyed by themselves, most wines are made to go with food. You’ll be surprised at how different foods will change how you judge a wine. And experimenting can be a lot of fun!
4. Go for more of a good thing.
When you find a wine you like, try others from the same winery. Chances are you will probably enjoy them too. Or try the same type of wine from different countries. If you like Australian Shiraz, try one from B.C., or from France (where it’s called Syrah) or from South Africa.
If you are enjoying a varietal wine that has only one grape variety, you might want to try a blend with that grape variety blended with another variety. If you enjoy Sauvignon Blanc, reach for a Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon.
5. Do a blind tasting with friends.
Select a variety of wines, whites, roses, reds and a dessert wine. Wrap each bottle up so nobody can see the label. Labels can be a huge influence on how a person judges a wine. Taste the wines without revealing the type of grape or where it’s from, or its price. Then make a contest where your guests guess the type of wine, the country of origin and the price.
6. Say wine and cheese, please.
Invite some friends over and have six different wines paired with different cheeses. Sample the wine first, then try it with the cheese. You will probably find that most of the pairings will be excellent, but a few might not be a match made in heaven. And you might discover that despite the common belief, white wines actually go better with cheese than red wine.
7. Save leftovers for the next day.
Assuming you don’t finish the bottle of wine, save some for the next day. Most reds will improve with the longer aeration. Some wines, however might not be as fresh or appealing. Put them in the fridge and bring them out half an hour before serving.
8. Be a winemaker.
Let your creative juices flow. Try mixing a still wine with a sparkling wine. Or take two or three different white or red varietals, and blend them together. Traditionally most French wines are blends or cuvees as they say in France. You’ll be surprised how good your blending skills can be.
Eric Hanson is a Richmond wine educator and journalist.
