A lot of people drink wine, but don’t know a lot about wine. Don’t let that be you. With just a little information, you can be a true wine connoisseur. The following tips are here for that purpose, and can help you know a bit more about the drink you enjoy.

If you are having oysters or seafood, stick to white wine. White wine is lighter and has a higher acidity level, so it is best to have this when you are eating lighter foods. Seafood is a perfect combination with white wine, and will help to maximize the sensation that you get.

If you enjoy cooking, try incorporating wine into your dinner menu. Wine can be used in a variety of cooking formats including sauces and marinades. If you have small children, you need not be concerned about cooking with wine as most of the alcohol is cooked out during the cooking process.

When serving wine at a dinner party, try to have at least one variety of red wine and one variety of white wine on hand. While many individuals are not particular to a specific region or winery, most will prefer a red or white. By having both on hand you are sure to please all of your guests with ease.

Spice up your next beef dish with some red wine sauce. To make this sauce, just mix red wine with a little bit of butter in a saucepan. Wait until the sauce becomes thicker and keep in mind that the alcohol will evaporate as you cook the sauce. Then, lightly drizzle over the beef entree.

Keep a wine journal. Write down the names of wines that you taste and what you think of them. Over time, this will develop into a great resource for you. It is also nice to look back and see where you came from and what direction you are headed in when it comes to your wine preferences.

Attend as many wine tastings as you have time for. Wine tastings introduce your palette to many different styles of wines. And the people who attend these events may also be much more advanced than you in terms of wine knowledge. You can pick their brains to learn even more!

Do not let the sulfite warnings on the labels scare you. While any wine contains sulfites, only those bottled in America must make note of this on the label. Sulfites can be a problem for some, but allergic reactions are not very common. So, don’t be afraid of sulfites unless you have had problems with them in the past.

Don’t base your opinion solely on that of an expert. Every person tastes wine differently, so let your taste buds be the judge whenever you can get your hands on a specific bottle. You may experience something very differently than the experts. You would have never known that without taking the leap.

Having a sniff at the cork from the wine bottle is not the best way to determine whether or not your wine is spoiled. While this may work in some cases, there are times when a cork smells musty and the wine is perfectly fine. Tasting it is the only way to know for sure.

Don’t just go to a winery on the spur of the moment. Make sure you have a designated driver and know how much you want to spend before getting there. Write out any questions you have and know which wines you enjoy.

Remember that wine shops can vary as much as wines themselves. Each one has a different set of priorities, product list and pricing structure. If you are very new to wine and setting foot in a place where the cheapest bottle is $60, you should look for a lower-end store where you can discover your palate and favorite brands.

A good approach in pairing food with wine is to try all types of possibilities. You won’t know what tastes best to you until you try it. Play around and have fun with it.

Do not hesitate to purchase bottles with screw caps. This is becoming an increasing trend among higher caliber wines. Experts are finding that this style of cap keeps the wine in a more pristine state. Smaller amounts of air can get in, and there is never any cork floating around. In some countries, wineries are now using screw caps as the norm.

Sweet wines are referred to as dessert wine. They often have alcoholic additives in them to make the flavor even bolder. This creates a syrup-like wine which is great in small doses. Pairing it with a savory dessert creates the best course of the meal, so try it at your next dinner party.

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!