Get Wine Savvy

Wine has been around for thousands of years but there is always something new to learn about it whether you are a beginner or a connoisseur. From its rich history to new techniques, the wine business is one that is constantly evolving yet still appeals to everyone. If you want to gain knowledge of this exceptionally interesting drink, you can do so in a number of different ways. 

 Visit a Vineyard

Get to the root of the issue by taking a trip to where wine grapes are grown. Vineyard tours will show you the planting and growing methods of the vines and also the terrain that is often responsible for specific flavors. There are wineries all over the world and they make for a stunning day trip or vacation and are an ideal way to spend a special occasion. 

 Wine Tasting

By taking a wine tasting class you will learn to recognize the distinct flavors in different wines. While you may not be a sommelier, a wine tasting class will teach you how to separate the different notes in your beverage and learn more about varieties and years. This will enable you start pairing wines with meals and occasions, allowing you to show off your newly gained wine knowledge to others.

Get a Wine Advisor

A wine advisor is an expert who will impart their knowledge on you as they match wines to your needs, for example a restaurant business or specific event. A wine advisor service will provide you with the best beverages you can imagine in terms of price, quality and taste. It is a sector that has seen a boom in recent years thanks to an increasing interest in the drink and the amazing results wine advisors provide. 

 

Go Online

Start educating yourself and get involved with the online wine community. Websites like Vine Advisor act like a virtual wine advisor. Here you’ll find up-to-date wine news, reviews and other information. Speak with fellow wine enthusiasts on forums to get tips you might not find anywhere else and connect in real life at organized events.

Sparkling Wine has its time!

Perhaps I’m not the only one to have had an unfortunate introduction to sparkling wine that left me insisting that I did not care for it.  My first few experiences with sparkling wine in my youth were ofa commercially successful, but not terribly sophisticated Canadian, sweet sparkling wine.  It tasted like sweet soda pop with an alcohol edge and it made me cringe.  This was followed by a not-quite-as-sweet sparkling wine that was heavily advertised on television with cheesy commercials.  It also had a bite that made me cringe.  I decided that sparkling wine was just not for me.

A few year ago, I was at a birthday lunch for a friend where sparkling wine was being served.  I took a reluctant first sip and was very pleasantly surprised.  It was a Prosecco and it was absolutely delicious!  So I’ve come to realize that a well-produced sparkling wine can be just as enjoyable as a quality dry white wine and I now look forward to a little sparkle in my glass.

Apparently I’m not the only one.  Over the last 10 years, production and sales of sparkling wine have increased dramatically, as higher-quality, dry sparkling wines have been developed.  These appeal to wine lovers of all levels of sophistication and have led to an explosion in popularity.  According to an OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine) report, global production of sparkling wine has increased by over 40% in the last 10 years.

This increase is due in part to the fact that sparkling wine is much more affordable than champagne and is thus more accessible to all wine lovers.  In many cases, a good Prosecco is far superior to a mid-range Champagne, but it is a fraction of the price.  The higher quality available has made sparkling wine an acceptable, budget-friendly choice for celebrations that would usually call for champagne. 

Apart from celebrations, the increase in consumption of sparkling wine is also due to a new tendency to enjoy sparkling wine for everyday sipping and with meals, rather than reserving it for special occasions.  While it still adds a special sparkle to celebrations, it is also a delicious, everyday treat that complements many foods very well.

So, yes you should pop the cork on a bottle of sparkling wine on New Year’s Eve, or for your upcoming romantic Valentine’s Day, but don’t hesitate to enjoy a little bubbly any time it strikes your fancy.  You will certainly be in good company.

Vine Advisor - A Site for Sharing

Drinking a fine bottle of wine is an enjoyment that is best shared with family, friends and guests. It is more than simply a beverage; it is an enticing treat, a complement to a delicious meal and, if it is a truly extraordinary wine, an almost magical experience. Such an experience deserves to be shared, not just with those who were there to savor the wine with you, but also with those who will enjoy hearing about it and possibly want to try it as well.

Vine Advisor is a site made for just that type of sharing. It is a wine community, where users can register and post reviews about wines they've tried and even share stories about meals and celebrations they've experienced, most likely with wine to accompany them!

wine advisor is also a resource for wine lovers of all levels of expertise. The wine aficionado who has a lot to say about the subtle nuances of a particular wine can describe it in detail and allow others to learn from him as their Wine Advisor. The casual wine drinker who simply knows what he likes can post a more general review describing the wine in his own words and give it a rating out of five stars. Users can post photos of the wine along with their reviews as well.

If you are simply searching for a good wine to try, you can use the search filters to narrow your search by region, varietal, color, sweetness, food pairing, country and winery. So, if you know you don’t care for white wine, set the color filter to red and go from there.  You may discover a fabulous new wine that you might not have tried otherwise.

Planning a trip? There is also a geographic listing of wineries around the world, so stop on Vine Advisor first to plan your tour of the local wineries at your destination. The interactive map allows you to search for wineries in a particular country with a simple click and, once you've visited, you can rate the wines and the wineries too.  For each winery, there is a list of their wines and photos of the bottles. Suggested food pairings are also offered.

The FAQs page on Vine Advisor answers questions about topics such as wine terminology, how to serve wine and even the health benefits of red wine. For instance, did you know that red wine contains antioxidants in red wine can help lower cholesterol, protect your heart and boost your brain.

As more people visit this interactive wine community and post their reviews, stories and experiences, the site becomes ever more interesting and helpful. A true wine community that is waiting to welcome you in.

The Value of Information

In the wine world a trusted wine advisor is a valuable resource. They can help you with food pairings, vintages to watch for, and can help identify characteristics you like in a wine for an afternoon of quaffing. Or the perfect wine that will work for that holiday feast or winter barbeque.

There is so much to learn and know when trying to choose the right wine that any help is often valuable. Perhaps you need something lighter for a before dinner drink or something to serve to a group of guests over the holidays. Being able to choose a blended red for cocktail time is quite different from a lovely, earthy, Tempranillo to go with a rare roast beef. The simple difference here is the age of the wine. Most blends are relatively young wines and have a nice even colour to them and a brightness in the mouth. An old wine like a Tempranillo (aged not less than 5 years in barrels) has a much deeper flavor to it. Let an old wine breath a bit before pouring or even better decant the bottle into a pretty glass flagon for table serving. The much bigger flavors in the older wine will delight your guest and be the perfect complement to a nice meat based meal.

These kinds of tiny tips are what make a wine advisor valuable. Not just the difference in wines, but the way wines are a great addition to any occasion. We like to think that wines are the app of the culinary world and no matter what you are doing, there is a wine for that. Find and advisor you trust, and understand. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little, it takes time to develop a sense for wine and what you like or don’t. It is a matter of taste after all.