TIP! If you get wine on a beloved shirt, get some Windex. Because of the special formulation of window cleaner, it is better at getting out wine stains than water and soap.

There are plenty of occasions that will call for good wine. Therefore, knowing how to serve and select the best wine can transform your next social gathering. If you want to be the wine expert in your group you should read the article that follows below. It is full of great advice.

TIP! Storing your wine properly preserves its flavor. Very cold or very hot temperatures can harm the flavor of wines.

Trust your own instincts when it comes to trying wine. If you already know that you can’t stand Merlot, don’t buy a bottle just because someone gave it a good review. This only ends up in wasted money on bottles you won’t enjoy.

TIP! If you want to start a wine collection, you should invest in a good wine cellar. You cannot store some of the most expensive varieties out in the open or under a cupboard, so a wine cellar is a worthy investment to protect high-dollar collections.

You can make a great sauce for beef dishes with wine. To do this, just mix a red wine with a little butter on a saucepan. Allow sauce to simmer a bit to thicken up and cook out some of the alcohol. Then drizzle it over your beef.

TIP! Keep a variety of wine on hand. Don’t just stock the basic red or white.

Your wine should be served at the ideal serving temperature to keep the flavor at its maximum potential. Red wines are best when served at 60 degrees. If the wine is poured at 58 degrees, it will warm to the right temperature in the glass. White wines are best at about 47 degrees. A warmer white wine will have a dull taste.

TIP! Understand the choices offered at your favorite restaurants. Pick a wine that no one at the table has had before.

Don’t allow the warnings on labels about sulfites scare you. All wines are going to contain some sulfites, but it’s the American made versions that must show a warning. There is the occasional individual that is allergic to sulfite, but the majority of people will be just fine.

TIP! Pay attention to the experts but do not take them too seriously. Experts admit they have their own palate and preferences.

Keep whites and reds in their proper glasses. It is best to use narrow glasses for white wines to reduce its exposure to oxygen. Alternately, red wines are best served in wide-mouth glasses. That allows for plenty of air to touch the wine surface, warming the wine and developing flavor as it works with the air.

TIP! Wine doesn’t have to be serious. Enjoy the many different varieties available.

Pay attention to the experts but do not take them too seriously. Good experts know that they may not always be right. They also know their tastes will differ from those of others. So, never rely on expert opinion with regard to a wine in deference to your own taste.

TIP! The largest difference between red and white wines is the type and color of grape. Red wines are made out of strong-bodied purple grapes.

Never serve champagne or sparkling wine unless it is well chilled. Drinking such wine warm will hinder all of its flavors. Before drinking champagne, chill it in your refrigerator for about one to two hours.

TIP! When you taste a wine, tilt your glass ever so slightly and examine the hue. Swirl the liquid around gently, and take in the aroma with your nose.

Don’t waste time drinking wines you are unsure about. Don’t be swayed by celebrity endorsements and high prices. But these wines are priced way above cost. When it comes to wine, the price tag does not always correlate with the quality. If you know what wine you enjoy, stick to that variety.

TIP! Get to know the person who is selling you your wine. If you make friends with them, you can get a heads up on good deals in the future.

At social events, there is often a wine toast. During the toast, you will all clink your glasses against each other. The clinking of a glass must be done right or it can shatter. To avoid this, make sure you angle the glass slightly so you line up the bells and its rim points away from the glass of your partner.

TIP! Varietal wines are made from one single type, or varietal, of grape. Pinot Noir and Syrah are two examples.

Red and white wines are not only different in color, but also the best temperatures at which to serve them. Reds should be warmer than whites, at least 10-15 degrees. You can store both in your fridge, and then take them out and let it warm to the right temperature. For red aim for sixty degrees Fahrenheit. For white aim for 45 degrees.

Screw Caps

TIP! You should be sure reservations aren’t required when going wine tasting. Don’t assume that public events are first come, first served.

Just because a wine has a screw top does not mean it is bad. Many companies are using screw caps today. Screw caps have been proven to keep the wine pure. These stoppers prevent air from permeating the liquid, and it also helps to prevent bits of crumbled cork from sullying the wine. Some wineries have switched exclusively to screw-on caps.

TIP! Champagne is not only for special occassions. Many times, people just consider champagne when toasting special occasions.

If a wine tasting is in your future, check to see if reservations are required. Some people mistakenly assume none are required for public events. This could leave you disappointed.

TIP! Attend wine tastings to discover which wines you enjoy most. Ensure that you visit numerous tastings.

Increase the interest and enjoyment of your special occasions with the perfect wine. You were probably unaware of many aspects of this ancient drink. Use the things that you have learned here to have a better time then next time you taste wine.