Ten Ways to Enjoy Wine in 2008
With wine lovers out numbering beer drinkers in America for the first time in history,
here are some suggestions on how we can enjoy wine in 2008:
1. Drink moderately. Wine is a powerful entity. Too much can not only ruin your
evening, but affect that of others, too. Know thyself -- and know your limit.
2. Use wine in cooking. Try out some of the great recipes here at cawinespot and elsewhere.
The best cooks tell us always to use good wine for your recipes. And it's fun to serve the
same wine with the meal!
3. Enjoy wine with chocolate. I do! There are certain red wines, especially Merlots with chocolate overtones, that are terrific sidekicks to a half glass of wine at the end of a long day. And guess what? Both dark chocolate and wine have been found to have anti-oxidant properties important to good health. How much fun is that?
4. Have a wine tasting party. Make it really fun by having a bit of information ready about each wine,
inviting a friend or friends to bring an appetizer suitable to each wine, tasting wines "blind" and having guests guess which one was the Zin or the Cab or the Syrah ... it will be a party they'll remember.
5. Try wine at dinner in a restaurant. I know. It's often expensive and sometimes comes attached to a snooty server person. But it's a great chance to try something new, with a meal you might never cook.
Snooty sommelier? Ask for someone else to serve you, a person who is willing to collaborate with you on the best choice. Too expensive? Order by the glass, but avoid the "house" wine that is typically some
knock off blend.
6. Explore international wines. Even though the dollar is slipping, there are still bargains to be had
from "New World Wine" countries like Chile and Australia. Check it out.
7. Have a glass of wine with dinner. See what goes with your run-of-the-mill daily meals. Brown rice and vegies? Maybe Syrah or Sauvignon Blanc. Hamburgers? Try Zinfandel. Experiment. You are the only
expert at this tasting, since it's your meal, your kitchen and your wine!
8. Find a wine you like, and buy a case. You're likely to enjoy several advantages from your case purchase, including, perhaps, a discount on each bottle of wine; the pleasure of experiencing the
wine at different stages of its development (if you open a bottle each month); and the joy of knowing that
every time you go into that case, you're going to uncork a wine you really like.
9. Explore some high priced wines, and buy a bottle of your favorite for a special occasion. This way, you'll have on hand a wonderful treat to celebrate both the expected and unexpected. It will be your secret surprise to share.
10. Take the time to savor your wine. Wine is a most sensual experience that employs our senses of sight, smell and taste. Treat your glass of wine like a mini-vacation -- a quiet time, sitting back and relaxing,
is something we could all use every day. Salud!
