Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Tips for Pairing Wine with Chocolate
For Valentine's Day tomorrow or any day you want to make special, try pairing wine with chocolate for a delicious (and romantic) snack. But not any ol' chocolae/wine pairing will do. Here are some tips to get you started:
Match lighter, elegant flavored chocolates with lighter flavored wines. By the same token, if you want a stronger chocolate, the wine should also be fuller-bodied.
White chocolate pairs well with a Sherry or Champagne -- stick to something sweet.
Milk chocolate pairs nicely with Reisling or Sauvignon Blanc (for white wines) and Merlot and Pinot Noir (for red wines).
Dark chocolate is probably best with a red, such as a Cabernet or Zinfandel.
Whatever you choose, pairing your wine and chocolate is much like your wine and cheese. Try a little bit of everything and see what you like and what you don't. Like wine-tasting itself, you need to experiment. And how much fun is it to experiment with wine and chocolate??
As always, don't forget the appropriate wine glasses for a truly memorable wine/chocolate tasting experience!
CHEERS!!
Match lighter, elegant flavored chocolates with lighter flavored wines. By the same token, if you want a stronger chocolate, the wine should also be fuller-bodied.
White chocolate pairs well with a Sherry or Champagne -- stick to something sweet.
Milk chocolate pairs nicely with Reisling or Sauvignon Blanc (for white wines) and Merlot and Pinot Noir (for red wines).
Dark chocolate is probably best with a red, such as a Cabernet or Zinfandel.
Whatever you choose, pairing your wine and chocolate is much like your wine and cheese. Try a little bit of everything and see what you like and what you don't. Like wine-tasting itself, you need to experiment. And how much fun is it to experiment with wine and chocolate??
As always, don't forget the appropriate wine glasses for a truly memorable wine/chocolate tasting experience!
CHEERS!!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Does Wine Really Get Better With Age?
Does wine really get better with age? "Better at what?" is the question.
If a wine is truly a "good wine" (meaning somewhat rare and pretty expensive), then YES! It will definitely improve with age.
But if you're like most of us who consume anywhere from $10-$20 bottles of wine that we buy at the liquor store, supermarket, or corner wine bistro, chances are the shelf life is not as long as you might think. You'll want to consume it within a year or two.
To find a well-aged white wine (if you have the money), try a German Riesling or French Sauternes; for reds, look for a French Bordeaux or vintage Port.
Age is wine is tricky. Sometimes a wine needs a decade or more to really flourish and present their best. Other times the wine you've saved for that special occasion will not be savored - it may have already turned to vinegar!
Regardless of the wine's age, make sure it's always served in the appropriate glassware to bring out the best in it!
CHEERS!!
If a wine is truly a "good wine" (meaning somewhat rare and pretty expensive), then YES! It will definitely improve with age.
But if you're like most of us who consume anywhere from $10-$20 bottles of wine that we buy at the liquor store, supermarket, or corner wine bistro, chances are the shelf life is not as long as you might think. You'll want to consume it within a year or two.
To find a well-aged white wine (if you have the money), try a German Riesling or French Sauternes; for reds, look for a French Bordeaux or vintage Port.
Age is wine is tricky. Sometimes a wine needs a decade or more to really flourish and present their best. Other times the wine you've saved for that special occasion will not be savored - it may have already turned to vinegar!
Regardless of the wine's age, make sure it's always served in the appropriate glassware to bring out the best in it!
CHEERS!!
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