I want to start a little wine collection over the next few years. Anyone have good suggestion on wines and info on how to properly store them, serve them, and drink them? It’s like a dream come true being able to buy such drink.
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7 responses so far ↓
1 JennyP // Sep 10, 2008
What a lovely way to celebrate being 21~ Perhaps you might want to gather family and/or friends for a wine tasting party or hit some of the vinyards in your area to sample some of their finest. Try both dry, fruity, sweet, and heavy. Here are some of my favorites:
1. Sangeovese
2. Barbera
3. Merlot
4. Cabernet Sauvignon
5. Zinfandel
6. Syrah
7. Gamay Beaujolis
8. Chianti
10. Pinot Grigio
11. Sauvignon Blanc
12. Chenin Blanc
13. Chardonay
14. Blanc de Blanc
15. White Zinfandel
There are so many more to try and enjoy….have fun and don’t be afraid to try unusual names and brands.
2 Jay K // Sep 10, 2008
My first wine was MD 20/20 grape. I could never drink white port. And only experienced a brief stint of downing Night Train. Covey Run wines taste good to me, but I don’t know if they sell em outside of Washington State.
3 penguino8165 // Sep 10, 2008
Welcome to the wonderful world of wine. It’s a ride like no other.
If you’ve never drunk wine (not even a sip of what your parents drank), you would be best off going to a winery (there are more around you than you might think) or a specialty wine shop, where you can sample different wines. Don’t be ashamed to admit you’ve never really had wines before. The people that run these places are (or should be) experts, and they can tell you everything you need to know.
A lot of times, a beginner drinker will go with the sweet wines. After a while, you get a little adventurous and move up from Concord and Niagara. Once you get used to the drier wines, you’ll want to collect mostly that type.
A great way to introduce yourself to wines, too, would be to either go to a wine tasting, or host one yourself. Sometimes, it’s a case of everyone brings a bottle of wine with them, and you all sample it, and make your comments about it. “The floral notes on this one was a bit much for me” or “I especially liked the pepper finish on this one”.
As far as storing the wines, they should always be stored on their side, to keep the cork wet. Keep them out of direct sunlight, and away from any direct heat source (like a vent). If you don’t have a small refrigerator or one designed specifically for chilling wines, you could store the wines in the bottom of a bookcase (which I did for a while) or in a cabinet.
Typically, white wines are served chilled, and red wines at “room” or “cellar” temperature. If it’s really hot out, and you want to chill the red wine before drinking it, put it in the refrigerator for about 30 to 45 minutes and then pull it back out. Open the bottle and allow the wine to breathe (take in a little oxygen) for a few moments, and enjoy it.
Once a bottle has been opened, the wine should be consumed within a day or two, or else it loses it’s good flavor. After much more than 3 days (4 max) it starts to resemble vinegar, and you may as well just cook with it.
All of this is just the tip of the iceberg. Just keep one thing in mind about wine collecting. You’re collecting for yourself. It’s wines that you enjoy, and want to share with others. If you know you’ll have someone over who prefers a specific wine, by all means, keep a bottle or two on hand, just for them.
Wine really only has one purpose. It is to be enjoyed, so be sure to enjoy it to the fullest.
4 momofneely // Sep 10, 2008
Our local stores and beer & liquor stores often have free wine tasting events, check your local stores (ones that sell wine). Anyway they do that alot around her to get you to buy a bottle…
5 ? // Sep 10, 2008
chianti was what got me started on red wines-yummy especially with italian food
6 Nic // Sep 10, 2008
Merlot is great with red sauces. I love Moscato. It is sweeter than most wines and yummy!
7 Chols // Sep 10, 2008
A rule of thumb is serve red wines with red meats (beef) and white wine with white meats (pork, chicken, fish).
I personally like White Zinfandel, although some consider it girly.
Every so often we will watch a movie and have everyone bring over a small bottle (750mL) of wine and we will sample them.