Wine 101: How To Drink the Wine and the Best Food to Pair It With

There’s no denying wine is a masterpiece of a drink. Refined, elegant, fruity, flavorful. There isn’t enough space to fully describe the sensation that is wine. Did you know, though, that there are ways to enhance the wine’s flavor to help you relish it more?

Learn to drink wine right with this guide. Everyone deserves a chance to enjoy wine to its fullest. So here are 4 ways you can drink wine like an expert and food the pair it with that will enhance the flavor and complete the meal.

DRINKING WINE LIKE AN EXPERT

Swirl it.

First tip of the day: swirl it. I bet you’re one of the many who has wondered why experts and those in movies love to swirl their wine glasses before taking a sip. Well, it isn’t just for show. There’s a real purpose to it.

Swirling your wine allows it to oxygenate and it brings out the aromas. When the wine has been aired for a few minutes, it tastes better and the aromas are easier to smell. Doesn’t that just add to the experience?

Take a sniff.

The next thing you could do is sniff the wine. Take in the delicious aroma. Don’t let the swirling you’ve done go to waste.

Keep the wine at the right temperature.

Keep your wine at the perfect temperature. This will help enhance the taste and make sure you’re enjoying the wine in the best way possible.

White wines and sparkling wines should ideally be kept at 45 – 50 degrees. White wines like Chardonnay are known to be heavy and light red wines like Pinot Noir are best served between 55 – 60 degrees. Lastly, red wines in general are best served between 60 – 65 degrees.

Find the best food to pair it with.

But of course, to completely enjoy wine, pair it with food that goes well with the type of wine. Not all of us know what wine goes best with the wine you have. So, we’ve prepared a list for you below. If you have any one of those wines in your pantry, be sure to try pairing it with the food we’ve listed.

THE BEST FOOD TO PAIR WINE WITH

Sangiovese Wine and Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? Almost everyone is a pizza-lover. And if you are and you haven’t tried pairing it with Sangiovese wine, then you’re definitely missing out. Sangiovese wine is an Italian drink. And pizza is an Italian dish. It only makes sense that you pair these two together.

But it being Italian-made isn’t the only reason these two go well. Sangiovese wine is a type of wine that gets fruitier the older it gets. And the tomato sauce in the pizza should balance out the acidity in the wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Steak and Other Red Meats

When we think of wine, the first dish we always think to pair it with is steak. And if you’re one of the many who think that, you’re probably right. Steak does pair well with wine, especially red wine. But steak and Cabernet Sauvignon? It’s Chef’s kiss! Pairing them together will make for a decadent and rich meal.

Pinot Noir and Earthy Dishes

Do you have a bottle of Pinot Noir in your kitchen? Take it out and pair it with dishes that produce earthy flavors like pizza or mushrooms and truffles. If you love savory meals, this pair is the right one for you.

THE TAKEAWAY

Learning to drink wine the right way isn’t diffrighticult at all. Use this guide to the fullest and remember the tips and tricks we’ve shown you. Embrace the uniqueness of the flavors in the wine not just by tasting but by smelling it.

To those new wine drinkers, you’ve got absolutely nothing to fear. We’ll show you the ropes and help you fully experience wine. All it takes is a swirl, a sniff, and a sip.