Well I am still sourcing for idea how to start my first blog...maybe i will start of by talking about one of my favourites drink...which is "WINES". I am into wines but I am not so expert in this area but I do drinks and learn about it as times goes in my life. If anyone can give me a good suggestion on wines, it will be much be appreciated.
In the James Bond movie "From Russia With Love," Sean Connery spots an enemy agent because he orders the wrong wine with dinner. This simple mistake costs the villain his life in a climactic battle aboard a speeding late-night train.
Is it any wonder we're so intimidated by wine?
Choosing a wine can be daunting. Old and outdated rules linger, snobbery abounds and, if you're the sort who would rather have a beer, you're sure you're going to fail before you've started. But as any honest expert will tell you, the key to choosing wine is finding something you like and enjoying it. Don't know your Chardonnay from your Pinot Grigio? Not sure if White Zinfandel goes well with your pasta? Think choosing wine is a pain in the Shiraz? If you consistently leave the liquor store with the same old bottle of wine, you may need a wine primer.
So how does the average me start learning the basics of wine? There are a lot of opportunities to learn wine. One great way is to go into your local liquor store. If you feel comfortable talking to the owner, that's a great source. They are usually excited about wine as well as versed in it, and they want to educate you as well.
Usually the shop owner will tries his or her best to direct people to the one best suited to them. Usually they will start out by asking what their price range is like, that narrows it down a bit. Then they will also ask their taste preference, whether do they like sweet? Dry? Then after finding out if they prefer red or white. They will work with the different categories.
Sometimes in supermarket like Carrefour, Jason Supermarket or some liquor shops they do offer wine tastings on certain days as well as classes once a month to help people get started.
Another good source are "Books". Each book has something worth reading for. The best way to learn about wine is to drink it. Seriously speaking, you really had to try to taste to drink it. Keep trying new kinds. One should go to wine tastings, interact with the wine, eat the foods that go with it. It's the best way. Also, go to http://www.wineradio.com/ ---- they have interviews with the greatest wine makers in the world who talk about the places they make wine and why they make it. MUST Drink and listen.
There are alot of promotion on Wine Appreciations out there, the best way is to start your own wine club. Bring like-minded friends to tastings, or have dinner parties once a month and each bring a bottle of wine. Tasting and learning what you like and what you don't is a great way to approach it.
If got chance, visit those wineries, take the tour and learn how the wine is made. This way the average visitor can come in and taste before buying. That's not something you can do in a wine shop. The Internet has a wealth of information on wine, as well. From "Vino Joe" at http://www.wineweekly.com/ to http://www.winespectator.com/, there's plenty of information, lists, advice and forums out there to help you on your way.
But ultimately, choosing a "good wine" is a personal decision. If you can find a wine you like, drink it because everyone's taste buds are different. You are your own best judge.
Next time you're choosing a wine, remember these few simple suggestions:
What's in a name?
Most wines are identified by the varietal of grape, the region in which they're most often produced or the way in which they're made.
* Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Grape varietals (the sort of grape used to produce wine). May also be a blend.
* Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy
Wine-producing regions whose wines bear their name.
* Brandy, Sherry, Port
Methods by which wines of many varieties are distilled or fortified, often adding more alcohol.
Throw out the old rules.
Red wine with meat, white wine with fish and poultry. Those are the rules passed down through the generations. While they'll do in a pinch, they're too rigid and often just plain wrong. Pairing wine with food is about finding complimentary tastes.
* Poultry - tasting chickent prepared in delicate sauces often calls for light, delicate wines. Try a Pinot Grigio. For a more intense or heavily spiced dishes, try a bolder, spicier wine such as a Cabernet Savignon from Chilie or even a Burgundy.
* Fish - don't be afraid to pair red wine with fish. Really, a Chardonnay is a great match with grilled white fish, but a bolder, richer wine such as a red Anjou is a good match for a bolder, richer fish like salmon. When in doubt, go with the Champagne or Sparkling White wine.
* Beef - with beef you can go deep, rich and bold, so long as the wine isn't competing with the intensity of the dish. With steak, a Cabernet Savignon or Merlot is a good choice.
* Vegetarian - the same rules apply. Go red with hearty, tomato-based dishes. Mexican or Southwestern foods are good with a Savignon Blanc. Try a Riesling for anything spicier.
To learn about wine, drink wine.
And that's where the fun starts. Remember to drink it...HAPPY DRINKING!
