Wine has been associated with celebration and merriment since ancient times and for good reason. Heady both literally and figuratively, this drink can enhance a meal and be a treat in itself. But it helps to know a little about wine and how to serve it before you savor it with friends over a meal.
There are three basic categories of wine: rosé, white, and red. Roses, also known as rosé wines, are actually made from red grapes, but they only have brief contact with the grape skin during the winemaking process, turning them a rosy color. These wines are sweet and easy to drink for the new wine drinker. White wines are made without contact with the grape skins, which gives them a color that ranges from a soft straw yellow to a golden hue. Whites tend to be semi-sweet with hints of citrus, melon, or floral flavors. Red wines, on the other hand, are made with full contact with the grape skin, giving these wines colors ranging from cherry red to purple or brick red. Red wines have the greatest variety of flavors, from semi-sweet to bitter, with spicy, floral, fruity or even woody tones.
Each of these categories of wine can have a range of finishes. Light-bodied wines wash down like water, while full-bodied wines leave a sensation similar to finishing a glass of milk. It can also leave a bitter or sweet taste in your mouth that can last or go away quickly. All of these qualities will help you determine what type of food to serve with the wine so that they complement each other, bringing out the best and fullest flavors.
Now that you know a little about your wine options, make sure you can store it properly. There is a wide selection of storage options, including wall-mounted and countertop wine racks, as well as wine racks, all of which are best for traditionally corked wines as they keep the bottle horizontal. An unusual wine rack can not only store your wine properly, but can also quickly become a talking point. But remember that it is best to place your wine rack in a cool, dark place, away from direct light. Another option is to refrigerate your bottles, which you can do in a specialized wine cellar or in the door of your usual fridge. Either way, be sure to take the whites and blushes out an hour or two before serving, as they will still be cold but not too cold. Reds are traditionally served near room temperature, so it’s recommended to take reds out of the refrigerator a full day before serving. Also make sure you have some small wine corks if you don’t plan on consuming the entire bottle in one sitting, which makes for easy storage.
When serving wine with food, be sure to enjoy the presentation. Clear wine glasses allow the drinker to fully see the color of the wine just as a wide mouth glass will allow a better display of the bouquet (or fragrance). You can even make the presentation more festive with wine charms, small decorative charms that can be hung from the neck of the wine bottle or the stem of the wine glass.
Finally, when you’re ready to drink your wine, be sure to pair it with some complementary foods. While there are no longer hard and fast rules on the subject, there are some guidelines that will help the new wine drinker discover complementary palettes. Light-bodied wines like most Pinot Noirs, Pinot Grigios, and some Chardonnays will go well with salads, lean meats, chicken, and salmon. Medium-bodied wines like most Merlots and Zinfandels pair well with medium to heavy weight foods like stews, beef, lamb, medium cheeses, pastas, and meatier white fish like tuna. Full-bodied wines, such as some Chardonnays and Cabernets, best complement heavy foods, such as steaks, stews, and creamy sauces. But of course, if you find a variety you love, pair it with your favorite dish. Don’t feel limited by the guidelines, just view them as suggestions to discover how you’ll get more enjoyment out of some fabulous food and wine pairings.