Selecting The Right Wine
Selecting the right wine really depends upon personal tastes. You can do research on the various vineyards, what was a good year for a particular wine, etc. but the bottom line is what do you like. We have listed a few things to look for in a really great wine below to try to make your next purchase a successful one.
1. The Whites: When your guests first arrive and are enjoying the appetizers a white wine is always the perfect choice. They are commonly lighter and drier and leave the palate fresh for the main entree’. Some of the whites such as the Chardonnay can also be introduced during a rich dinner such as “Coq a Vin”, with its beautiful creamy wine sauce. Another suggestion is the Sauvignon Blanc that is excellent served with a first course salad or shrimp cocktail or even a plate of delicate fish.
A sparkling white wine such as the Rolls Royce of wines the champagne are reserved for those very special occasions such as a wedding, anniversary or engagement party. Again, you may want to ask the local wine connoiseuer what would be just perfect for the event.
2. Red Wines: A good red wine such as merlot wine is great anytime, but when considering which wine to serve with a particular meal, a red is normal chosen for the heartier meals of beef, pork or lamb. A good Merlot, Burgundy, or Cabernet would all be perfect choices.
Oregon produces a great Pinot Noir. This wine is a combination of plum, vanilla, and blackberry. Because of its light and fruity flavor it could also be served after dinner.
When hosting a spicy Mexican meal the Shiraz is a perfect compliment with its peppery flavor that brings out the spiciness of your enchilada suiza or chili verde.
The perfect wine to complete an Italian meal would be a Chianti. With its rich flavor and deep red color it blends easily with ravioli and pizza. When you finish the wine, the beautiful raffia wrapped bottles make great candle holders and set the mood for your romantic Italian dinner.
When serving beef, either roasted, braised or barbecued, a hearty Burgundy would be the perfect choice.
As you can see from the suggestions above you may wish to have both a white wine and a red wine on hand when hosting a dinner. Some guests will most likely pick the wine they prefer and stay with that choice for the entire evening. Another may choose a white for the start of the evening and finish with a red. So always be prepared.
You may enjoy making your own wine. You could start with one of the fruit wines. They are relatively easy to make and go great with desserts. Wouldn’t your guests be impressed. Visit a fruit wine making website for some recipes.
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