by Kat Sarmiento
Wine is one of humanity’s first luxuries. This sweet and complex liquid has brought joy since its creation nearly 7,000 years ago. Over the years, wine has become a symbol of fine dining. However, wine is not just for highbrow parties. You can enjoy a glass of wine from the comfort of your own home.
Today, here are a few tips for enjoying wine without leaving the house.
Wine might seem like a fiddly hobby, but it’s not that complicated. After all, people drink wine to enjoy it. There may be some things to make the experience better. The endgame is always the drinker’s enjoyment. There are no hard and fast rules to enjoying wine. Think of these tips as guidelines.
Relax First
Drinking wine should be a gentle affair. If you are feeling stressed, don’t immediately reach for the bottle. Destress with other activities first. Take a short shower. Dress in your comfiest clothes. Put on a movie or series from Netflix. Once you’re all settled, that’s when you reach for the bottle. Drinking wine relaxed means you don’t associate wine with stress. Instead of a crutch, it becomes a complement to your relaxation routine.
Drinking wine when you aren’t stressed helps put you in a happy mood. Dopamine will more easily reach your brain if you’re already relaxed. The wine’s effects will enhance all those warm and fuzzy feelings. Remember, wine should be for self-care, not a coping mechanism.
Serve Wine at Its Best Temperature
Every wine has its own best temperature. Different wines have different characteristics. When choosing your wine, make sure it is at its optimal temperature. Do your research on what wines you have in your cabinet. Some wines are kept in the fridge while others can be left on the shelf.
Temperature is important because it accentuates different traits. A warmer wine accentuates the aroma and alcohol. A colder wine lets sweeter and acidic flavors shine through. A good rule of thumb is most red wines are server warmer, and white wines are served colder. Always refrigerate your wine an hour before you plan on drinking it. Depending on the temperature you want it at, it could be more.
Pair Food with Your Wine
Wine is best enjoyed with a moderate meal. The complexity of wine can give your tastebuds a spin when paired with delicious food. The goal of wine pairing is synergy. The meal and wine should not feel separate. They are two parts of a whole experience. What flavor contrasts and complements do you enjoy? That is the key to a good wine pairing.
Here are a few pairings we highly recommend:
- Dry Riesling with Spicy Salad
- Rose Champagne with Risotto
- Old World Wine with Rustic Pasta
- Pinot Noir with Vegetarian Pizza
- Champagne with Chicken Stir Fry
- Cabernet Sauvignon with Thick-Cut Red Steak
- Chardonnay with Grilled Salmon
- Sauvignon Blanc with Fruity Fish
- Dry Rose with Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Syrah for Spicy Curry
- Grüner Veltliner with Wiener Schnitzel
- Zinfandel for Cheese Fondue Parties
- Pinot Grigio with Shrimp Scampi
- Malbec with Chicken Barbeque
- Moscato d’Asti with Fruit Pie
Do note that none of these are strict rules. Wine tasting is all about enjoyment. If you want to pair your white wine with a hearty steak, nobody is stopping you! These are simply pairings that have worked throughout the ages. Perhaps it could work for you!
Savor The Wine
You should enjoy your wine slowly and gently. Don’t just gulp it down in a single gulp. The best part of wine is the complex flavors created over years of cultivation. Just as the winemakers took their time, so should you with tasting their wine.
With your presumably clean finger, swirl the glass. Do this slowly. Let the aroma waft over your nostrils. Take in all the woody and fruity notes. This prepares your palate for what comes next. Take a look at the color of your wine and appreciate its depth. Now you take a slow sip. For a few seconds, let the wine slowly slosh around your mouth. Gulp it down, and savor the aftertaste.
Drink in Moderation
After a delicious glass of wine, it’s fine to have one or two more to appreciate the flavors. However, any more glasses are not recommended. Drinking is a fun activity. Being drunk, believe it or not, actually hurts the wine-drinking experience. At most, you should be experiencing a pleasant buzz. You should feel light but not blasted.
Wine should be something fun. It shouldn’t be the show-stealer. It’s meant to complement the rest of your evening, not end it prematurely. A few drinks are enough to give you a stress-free evening. To make sure you don’t get too dry or drunk, have some cold water around. Drink it if you feel your mouth is a bit dry. Also, drink if you drank a bit too much wine and feel woozy.
L. A. Breaux