Xpeditr Sommeliers are trained and experienced wine stewards trusted by clients around the world who use My Private Sommelier Services. With hundreds of hours dedicated to constructing personalized wine menus and pairings, Xpeditr Sommeliers have compiled a list of tips to help wine lovers tease their palates and take their wining experience to an entirely new level.
1. There’s a Wine for Every Food
Wine pairings are designed to complement the dominant flavor of any dish, and not overpower it. Although wine taste is relatively subjective, there are some general rules that apply across the board.
- Match the intensity of flavor
- Pair acids with acids
- Contrast dessert flavors
- Pair whites with fish
- Pair reds with meat and game
2. Get the Right Stemware
Wine glasses are designed with specific grape varieties in mind. The rim, bowl, stem and base of each glass is crafted to allow enough room to bring out the aroma, and the right shape to reach specific areas of the tongue to perfectly balance the tannin, fruit and acidic undertones of fine wines. Learn how to Choose The Perfect Wine Glass!
3. Regional Pairings
In a pinch, or if in doubt, pair wines with menus from the same geographic region. For example, a rich French cheese is perfectly paired with a Burgundy from the same area. Start tasting wines from the most popular regions such as Burgundy, Champagne, Bordeaux, and Napa in conjunction with their local foods, using them to develop a point of reference, and then explore the world!
4. Break the Rules
Whites with fish and reds with meat is a valid rule when you do not have a personal preference for red or white wine. However, if you despise whites, then select a red that compliments the overall taste of your fish dinner.
5. Learn the Lingo
Dry wine? Full-bodied wine? Trilling? Learn the language used in the wine industry to better understand the complexities of wines. We’ll get you started: “trilling” is an essential factor in pulling out the flavors in a wine and involves aerating the wine during tasting. Many do this with a little slurping, or sucking in air as they take a sip. The goal is to expose the wine to more oxygen, which releases its aromas and bouquet.
6. Train Your Nose
In order to identify wine bouquets and aromas, it is crucial to be able to identify the different scents woven together to create a specific taste. Visit your local market and smell everything (such as cardamom, vanilla, licorice, orange blossoms, lime, black currant, lavender, oregano, etc.) while trying to commit the scents to memory. With time you’ll be able to isolate the various flavors in a wine, understand how they interact with one another, and track as they unfold during the tasting experience.
7. Keep Your Wine Safe and Sound
As wine connoisseurs know, even the slightest changes in humidity, temperature and stability can permanently damage a precious bouquet. Proper wine transportation and storage are essential to preserving the integrity of wine bottles year-round. Whether using a secure wine storage facility or stocking your own cellar with premium storage wine boxes, it is imperative to ensure that your wine collection is in the proper environment to promote the delicate ageing process.
8. Challenge Yourself with a Blind-Tasting
Have some fun and test your newly acquired wine skills with a blind tasting. Discover your genuine likes and dislikes by removing preconceptions (based on vineyard, region, year, etc.) and let your palate explore wine aromas Xpeditr Sommelier Services can help you when hosting a wine tasting event, and even provide one-on-one training that will develop your tasting skills and expand your wine knowledge.