Wine is something that people have enjoyed for thousands of years, and with good reason. Wine is a very complex drink that gives its consumers the opportunity to learn a great deal as they explore their options. If you would like to learn more about identifying great wines you should read the article below.

All wines do not taste good while at the same temperature. White wines are better when they are cold, while red wines should be a little below room temperature. Drinking them at the wrong temperature can change the way they are supposed to take, which may change your overall opinion.

If you are new to the world of wine, consider attending a wine festival. Festivals are a wonderful way to meet other people with an interest in wines and try several varieties without breaking the bank. You can also get some great ideas about pairing wines with foods. The fun and festive atmosphere also provides for a great date night out.

Preserve the quality and flavor of each glass of wine by taking care to serve it at the appropriate temperature. Red wine is best and more flavorful at about 60 degrees. Start with your wine at 58 degrees to allow warming in the glass. If you are serving a white wine, chill it to 47 degrees. Allowing wine to warm too much will give it a taste that some people do not find to be very palatable.

One of the fastest ways that you can chill a bottle of wine is to place it into a container that is filled with water and ice. Gently lower the bottle into this container and you will be able to chill it to drinking standards within 30 minutes or so.

Do not limit yourself to countries that are known for exporting wines such as Spain or France. In fact, some of the best wines on the market are from Argentina or from New Zealand. You should not form your opinion of a country after tasting only a couple different wines.

Before leaving the house and hitting up the local venue, know what you are looking for and have a firm goal set in mind. Leaving without knowing exactly what you want might end up as a night spent hopping hopelessly from cellar-to-cellar. Have a goal ahead of time and when you find the selection that fits, purchase it and return home to enjoy the work.

Taste wines in an environment free of aromas. If you have food cooking, use candles or have other odors present when you are trying to taste a wine you will not get an accurate impression. Aromas will conflict with the taste and could leave you with a distaste for a wine you may have enjoyed otherwise.

Wine is just as good to cook with as it is to drink on its own. Putting red wine into your steak pan can enhance the flavor. White wine may be used to cook seafood dishes like scallops and fish. Adding some wine to the food you are cooking, for instance by making a sauce to bring out the flavors of the meat you are preparing.

Take digital photos of wine labels and store them with your notes. Your wine hobby will take you to dozens of tasting and hundreds of wines. At some point, it’s going to get a bit overwhelming and confusing. These photos – when paired with notes- will help keep your knowledge on track.

As you explore a wine for the first time, try to pick out each note and flavor. Some wines have a distinctively fruity aroma or even a floral aroma. You should also identify some secondary aromas reminiscent of smoke, caramel or honey. Be on the lookout for these aromas, and soon, you’ll be able to recognize them faster.

Your diet can handle some wine. Many people avoid drinking wine when dieting because they are afraid of wasting calories. You do not have to completely sacrifice wine in your diet if you remember to practice moderation and portion control. Most wines come in at just under 100 calories per serving. You can easily work a glass or two into your weekly routine.

If you are dining out with work colleagues and trying to impress the boss, try to arrive at the table first and order a bottle of wine to be delivered upon your guest’s arrival. This will really make it look like you know your wines. Avoiding a wait time for the bottle can also enhance the evening for everyone.

As you read at the start of this article, drinking wine is a past time that is shared by many different cultures over many eras. Now that you have read the article you have also learned that wine is indeed complex, but not impossible to understand. Keep the above information in mind as you continue your journey to understand wine the best that you can.