I WAS TOO SHY TO ASK

Over the past years I found out that most of the women I met that were not in the wine industry were always too shy to ask questions regarding wines. I too, have been one of those women, until I decided to get over my shyness by asking questions no matter what.

So I wanted to share with you a couple of things I learned by asking questions that people are usually too shy to ask. I hope that this information could help you too.

One of the most important aspects of serving wine is getting the correct temperature. Red wines like: Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel should be served at 56-65°F. Investing in a decanter is a good option, as it allows the red wines to breathe and enhance their aroma.

If you prefer white wines they should be served at 46-55°F. The best way to chill a white wine like a Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, is to place it in a bucket of iced water for about twenty (20) minutes. If you are lucky enough to have your own cellar, then the ideal cellar temperature should be 50°F.

When you need to select a wine for your menu, you should remember white wines are always served before red wines and light bodied before full bodied, good wine before great wine, and young before old wine. Last but not least, dry before sweet wines, and sparkling wines could be enjoyed throughout the meal.

Always remember that the food that you choose, should pair well with your wines. The easiest way to pick the right wine is based on a few simple rules:

- Cabernet-based wines, Red Bordeaux, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Shiraz, Cote de Rhone, Sangiovese, Grenache, Malbec and Pinotage pair well with lamb, steaks, duck, goose, venison, pizza, pastas, chicken and risotto.

- White wines like Chardonnay, White Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Sparkling wines pair well with whitefish, halibut, cod, swordfish, salmon, scallops, lobster, calamari, pasta with seafood, sushi, caviar and oysters.

Choosing the right wine glass is as important as choosing the right wine. I learned from the experts that when you drink wine in the proper glass you could enjoy its color, bouquet and taste much better. The perfect wine glass is always crystal clear, and one of the most well known wine glass maker is Riedel (Austrian).

The best way to overcome your shyness is to attend wine tastings, where you have the experts eager to answer your questions.

Cheers! Next round it’s on me.