Everybody loves wine, but not everybody is an expert on them. Fortunately, becoming a wine connoisseur is a skill that anyone can develop. All it takes is a combination of knowledge and experience.
Here are some tips for becoming a wine connoisseur:
1. Join the Wine of the Month Club
The Wine of the Month Club, which began operations back in 1972, provides you with the ability to try two of the best wines in the world every month for an amazingly low price. There’s a good reason why Consumer Reports recommends this wine club over the competition, as their owner personally tastes 250 wines each month from all over the world before selecting the two best. They also guarantee that you will enjoy the wines that they send you or they will replace them with something you do like, without any questions asked. The club provides you with the perfect opportunity to broaden your knowledge of fine wines.
2. Visit Vineyards
Why spend your vacation in just any old place when you can spend it improving your knowledge and enjoyment of fine wines by visiting where they are made. There you can not only taste some of the best wines available but you also can learn about them, too. As an added bonus, vineyards are often located in some of the most beautiful places in the world, such as:
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Northern California
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France
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Italy
3. Take Blind Taste Tests
While visiting vineyards can be a terrific learning experience, you can also learn about wine in your very own home. To do this, buy a variety of fine wines and have a loved one blindfold you while handing you samples of the wine you bought. Through trial and error, you will learn how to identify different wines and the brands that make them, through both their taste and smell.
4. Read Books on the Subject
While there is no substitute for personally experiencing wines, reading about them is the next best thing. There is a wealth of information that can be learned from books about wine. This includes:
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How wines are made
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What grapes are used to make them
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How age affects wine
5. Try Something Completely Different
You cannot expect to become a wine connoisseur if you drink the same wines all the time. So, you should constantly try new wines and not be afraid to leave your comfort zone. This could mean trying different varieties of wines as well as:
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Wines that you have never heard of
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Wines from unusual countries
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Wines that may be a little more expensive than what you usually pay
6. Pair Wine with Different Foods
Another great way to increase your knowledge of fine wines is by experimenting with different food pairings. Do not just follow simple pairings, such as red wine with red meats. Instead, be bold and learn from experience what works and what does not. By doing this, you will learn which wines go best with any type of food, and you will know just what wine to order with any dish.
In conclusion, great wine connoisseurs are not born but made. By following the tips outlined here, you can become the wine expert that you always wanted to be.
