There are many theories on what the perfect wine glass looks like and many offer some helpful suggestions. But no matter what type of glass you choose there are some basic characteristics that all wine glasses should have.

The first characteristic you will want to have in a wine glass is one that is clear. Using a clear wine glass will allow you to fully view the color of the wine. Enjoyment can be found in being able to view the color, but one can also become more knowledgeable about wine in the process with a better visibility of its unique color shades. A clear wine glass can offer clues about the wine and will help you become more knowledgeable about what different wines look like and the slight color differences they have. [Read more...]

Cooking with wine is a common technique, but unfortunately many people neglect simple rules when using wine in the kitchen and end up ruining potentially great meals.

The first thing to remember when cooking with wine is that stainless steel or enameled cast iron pans should only be used. These types of pans will work well with the acidity in wine and prevent a discoloration in the wine. It is also important to remember that wine is flammable and you will need to be very careful when adding any wine to a stove-top skillet or pan. If any of the wine spills on the side, remove it from the flame and wipe clean. [Read more...]

The sometimes confusing world of wine can become a lot more clear when you have a basic understanding on how to read a wine bottle label. By doing a little research before hand and knowing which terms to look for, you can walk into most restaurants and order wine like you’ve been doing this all your life.

Wine producers are required by law to submit their wine labels to make sure they meet that countries particular wine label standards. In America, wine label laws require all the information you will need to make an educated decision about which wine to purchase and which wine will meet your particular tastes. [Read more...]

Corks are a part of wine tradition that symbolize both experience and romanticism. But screw tops have long been associated with lower-class wines, being viewed as a “cheap” alternative to traditional corks. Its true that screw tops are cheaper than corks but they also hold some advantages and have very little impact on the quality of wine. [Read more...]

Once a bottle of wine is opened the process of oxidation begins. Oxidation is when oxygen in the air comes in contact with the wine and begins to eat away at the flavor and aroma of the wine. Over time, an opened bottle of wine will begin to go bad, but the process will turn a great tasting wine into a sour tasting wine with flavor notes that can at times make it unbearable to drink. [Read more...]

A great sangria recipe can result in a wonderful compliment to any hot or spicy food, ranging from chips and salsa at a party, or a detailed Mexican dish. A red wine sangria drink can also be a great way to serve a tasty red wine in a chilled, punch-like fashion for those outdoor fiestas.

A combination of red wine, fruit, liquors and other ingredients, sangria is an easy to make drink that could make you the party favorite. Use your favorite red wine when making this recipe but a traditional Spanish wine is often the best way to go. [Read more...]

There seems to be a million terms to use when discussing wine and often times newcomers to the world of wine can become intimidated by these high-brow words.  While part of the fun in exploring wine is learning new ways to communicate to other wine enthusiasts, there are a few commonly used terms that all wine newbies should be familiar with.  Here are five wine terms that you should begin with when developing your lexicon of wine terminology.

ACIDITY: When discussing the acidity of a wine you are talking about the liveliness of the taste or the brightness it causes on your pallet.  Red wines tend to be less acidic while white wines commonly offer more of that crisp taste associated with acidity.

The best way to understand acidity is by asking yourself how much of a party is the wine having on your tongue?  The more “action” and crisp taste, the higher its acidity.

VARIETAL: Varietal addresses the grape that a wine is produced from.  Wines are named after a grape as long as it contains at least 75 percent of that particular grape.  When someone is asking about the varietal of the wine they are asking what type of grapes were used in producing the wine.  A varietal character refers to the specific taste of a particular grape.

BODY: The body of a wine is all about its consistency in your mouth and tactile impression on your tongue.  A heavy bodied wine will feel thicker and more syrup-like.  Light bodied wine is more smooth and thin in consistency.

VINTAGE: The term vintage is used to denote the year the grapes were harvested and fermented to produce the wine.  A wine’s vintage is its year.

CORKED: Sometimes people refer to a wine as corked and that doesn’t mean its been bottled.  A corked wine is one that has been tainted due to problems from a bad cork.  If someone says a wine has been corked its best to be left alone.

By using these wine terms as a foundation you will be well on your way to discussing wine like a pro.  However, never let a lack of understanding about a particular term get you down.  If someone uses a word you don’t know, ask them about it.  The better you understand the words and terms used in describing wine the better you will be at finding the wine you love.