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Cork Connoisseur ... A quick guide to wines
So you’ve got the job and
the cash, and every night you’re out at one of the hottest restaurants
in town. But, you know it and I know it, you’re living a lie. Each and
every time you bring that wineglass up to your nose, inhale deeply,
and nod your approval to the waiter, you think to yourself, in your
most private of thoughts “What the hell am I smelling this for?”
So the gig is up, and it’s time to do something about it. Luckily, I
can help. We’ll just start at the beginning.
Color and Variety
There are six basic types of wine: red and white, sparkling and
fortified, fruit and rice. For now, we’ll just go over the two you’re
most likely to imbibe: red and white.
Reds—These vary a lot in color, but less so in taste. Generally, a red
wine goes best with a heavier meal, including: beef, pasta with a
tomato-based sauce, lamb, etc. And though there are more to choose
from, the most common types are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot
Noir, and Zinfandel.
5 Great Red wines under $50.00:
1. Rosemount Shiraz: Australia
2. Chianti Ruffino Classico: Italy
3. Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve Merlot, CA
4. Stone Street Cabernet Sauvignon: Alexander Valley, CA
5. Marquies de Riscal Rioja Reserva: Spain
Whites—White wines can vary quite a bit in both color and taste, with
the two usually corresponding. Look for a golden yellow color for your
best bet, and drink with: cheese, fruit, chicken, fish and pasta.
5 White Wines Under $50.00:
1. Santa Margherita Pino Grigio: Italian
2. Stags Leap: Chardonnay Napa Valley, CA
3. Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc: South Africa
4. Chateau St. Jean Fume Blanc: Sonoma County, CA
5. Louis Jadot Pouilly Fuisse: France
What are you smelling?
Now that you know what type of wine you’re drinking with your meal,
it’s time to know what it is you’re actually sticking your nose in the
glass for.
The smell of a wine is a safe indicator of whether it’s in decent
enough condition to drink. How to know if it’s not—it will likely have
a sulfer, sour or musty smell. It can even smell like old laundry! If
you’re not sure your nose is leading you astray, ask the waiter to
either let it sit, or better yet, pour it into a carafe, wait a few
minutes, and try again. If it’s still bad, tell the waiter the bottle
has “been corked” and send it back.
Other tips to wine tasting:
Hold the base of the glass on the table and swirl the wine to bring
out the bouquet.
Always hold the glass by the stem (especially white wine) to avoid
the warmth from your hand effecting the wine.
When smelling, inhale deeply. Slowly take in the fragrance—the
bouquet—of the wine.
Ready for even more
bold, brutally honest, and always helpful dating advice? Visit my Web
site, www.Ask
April.com There, you'll find informative articles, expert
columnists, interactive quizzes, and free giveaways! And don't forget
to also check out my workshops, designed to help you find you real
"soul mate"!
© 2003, 2004 April
Masini
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