The Perfect Guide for Novice Wine Drinkers

The Perfect Guide for Novice Wine Drinkers

Are you looking to start collecting some of the best wine for drinking or perhaps to expand your arsenal of recipes, but you’re not sure where to start? If the only thing you know about wine is white and red, you’ve got a long way to go. With various wineries and brands nationwide, you could get caught up trying to choose the best ones. So, to give you something to start with, this beginners guide will teach you some of the best types of wine on the market, where to find them, and how to keep them fresh until you’re ready to use.

Wine Storage 101

Let’s start with storage. Before you start shopping for the best types of red and white wine you’ll need to have a place to keep it stored. Unlike other alcoholic beverages like vodka, whiskey, or cognac which can be left on shelves or tables in the home for several months or years without an issue, wine is very delicate and to keep the fresh taste, it must be properly stored. Here are a few things you need to know:

• It needs to be stored somewhere where the temperature does not go above 70 degrees or fall below 45 degrees. (Essentially, you’ll want to store it somewhere that the temperatures don’t fluctuate often as this can also impact taste.)

• It’s best to keep it in a dark area as sunlight can impact the taste.

• Older wine bottles that don’t have screw caps, plastic, or glass corks need to be laid on their side. This will allow the liquid to have contact with the cork which prevents it from drying out.

So the way you store wine is very important to keep the fresh taste. If you don’t have a basement that is comfortable and dark, some opt to purchase a wine rack, or you might consider finding a local storage unit for your beverages. For example, Belmont wine storage offers lockers of varying sizes to patrons who want to keep their bottles fresh.

Where to Find the Best Wines

Though you likely won’t be traveling to France, Italy, and Rome, the US has a lot of great places where you can purchase some of the best wines in the industry. Though you can shop for wines online, since you’re a beginner, it might behoove you to visit nearby wineries or wine and spirit shops so you can get a feel for what’s out there. Wineries often allow you to taste various types which can help you in choosing the best ones to drink or to pair with some of your favorite dishes. Some of the states with the best wineries in the US include New York, Oregon, California, New Jersey, and Virginia.

Types of Wines for Beginners

So, you know how to store your wine and where to travel to indulge in some of the best wine tastings in the country, now, it’s time to choose the wine that is best suited for you. While it really boils down to personal preference, taste, and the type of meal you’re pairing it with, here are some recommendations on wine for beginner’s you can work from until you’re more well-versed in the world of wine.

• Cabernet Sauvignon – a full-bodied dry red wine that pairs well with steak and potato-based meals.
• Pinot Noir – this is a medium to light bodied red wine that pairs well with foods like duck, salmon, and pork.
• Merlot – one of the most popular types of red wine, Merlot is a full-bodied wine with a sweet and fruity taste that pairs well with chicken, and fish.
• Chardonnay – Known as one of the most popular white wines on the market, chardonnay pairs can often have a tropical yet oaky taste to it which makes it perfect for mild cheeses, seafood, chicken, and pork.
• Pinot Grigio – Another popular white wine, the Pinot Grigio is a medium to full-bodied wine that pairs best with chicken, pasta, and shellfish.
• Moscato – a great and popular white wine for beginners is Moscato. This light bodied wine is very fruity in flavor and pairs well with just about any dessert.

There’s a lot more to learn about wine, but if you’re ready to get started on building your own personal collection, these basics will get you started. Knowing the most popular wine choices, how to pair them with meals, and how to properly store them will impress your guests and have you looking like a wine connoisseur in no time.