Wine books help, but tasting does the trick

The best way to learn about wine is to taste it. Poring over magazines and books will get you started, but until you actually pull the cork and pour the wine, the learning experience is lacking. Wine was a less complicated subject when most imported bottles came from France, Italy and Spain. But today, in even the most modest liquor stores, many bottles from a variety of locations line the shelves. Many are labeled...

Revisiting Spain’s fine sherry, rich Rioja

Spain is one of the most exciting countries for wine enthusiasts to explore. In a quarter of a century, Spanish winemakers have progressed from mostly low-tech production for local markets to promising and innovative exporters. High-quality wines are emerging to satisfy the world’s undeniable thirst for new and exciting styles. Many think of sherry as the classic Spanish wine. But in the past 10 years, the image...

Some wines age well, but most don’t

The new year always comes with the inspiration to organize and plan my wine cellar — what I want to drink, what I want to buy and what I want to give away. When considering what wines to drink right away, it’s important to remember that not all wines are meant to age. Most are meant to be consumed within one to two years after bottling. For these youngsters, time is the enemy. Keeping track of what you have is...

The right wine gift adds glow to Christmas

Finding the perfect Christmas gift can be a challenge, but if you’re buying for a wine lover you need look only for a bottle that suits their taste. These tips could help: Don’t be hesitant to discuss your ideas and price range with your wine retailer. This is key, considering that a “nice bottle of cabernet sauvignon” can range from $10 to $600. Tell the retailer the price range you would like to spend....

Wines deserve as much thought as dinner

Choosing the perfect wine for the Christmas festivities can be a hit-or-miss affair. The foods might be meticulously prepared, but sometimes the wine selection is a last-minute thought. If you have gone to great lengths for the perfect foods, it would be a shame to serve wine that doesn’t enhance the taste. STARTERS Christmas starters are the perfect excuse to pop open a bottle of bubbly. It pairs perfectly with a...

Wine is a welcome Christmas offering

This week marks the start of the Christmas rush, and the demanding party and dinner schedule that comes with it. In response to the many requests from readers for a one-stop wine-shopping checklist, this week’s column will do just that. These are just a few wines I will be using for gift-giving and entertaining during this memorable time of year. Wines for giving: VALUES 2006 Cline Vineyards Zinfandel, California...

Thanksgiving feast calls for versatile wine

Most Thanksgiving tables are filled with an array of textures and tastes. From appetizers to turkey, yams, mashed potatoes, cranberries and stuffing all the way to desserts like pumpkin pie. It’s a lot to ask of a wine to match each of these traditional favorites. The answer is discovering a versatile wine and not trying to match each dish to a bottle. There are many wines suitable for the Thanksgiving table. In...

Malolactic fermentation? Think smooth

Recently a friend described a style of wine she had enjoyed, saying it was chardonnay but different from others she had tasted. “It wasn’t sweet, tangy or oaky. It was almost creamy and buttery,” she said. What she described, perfectly, is a wine that had undergone malolactic fermentation. To understand malolactic fermentation, first remember that wine is made by converting sugar to alcohol with the help of...

Like eggs sunny side up? Skip the wine

Pairing food with wine should be the most trouble-free decision of our dining experience. All you need to do is pull the cork, pour the wine and enjoy — no mixing, heating, baking or chopping. No preparation time, and cleanup is as simple as walking to your recycle bin. It should also be reassuring to know that when matching wine with food there are few unpalatable mistakes. In those few danger areas that exist,...

UnCorked | 2007 Wine Review

Throughout the year, I make recommendations in my UnCorked column to help readers choose great wines at every price. Then, at the end of the year, I compile those recommendations into this – a detailed list of the year’s standout choices. My annual Wine Review will help you select the perfect wine for every budget and occasion, and hopefully save you a little trial-and- error in the process. So here’s to...