| Drinking wine has often been said to be an | | | | wine. You drink wine with friends and can discuss |
| acquired taste. I agree one hundred percent! | | | | what you tasted and whether you liked it or not. |
| When I first started drinking wine, my exploits | | | | You may decide you prefer rose over white or |
| were limited to fruity wines that are normally | | | | red. |
| associated with the younger drinkers. I am | | | | Some people prefer to make their own wines and |
| speaking of the easily pallatible white zinfadel. One | | | | some prefer to cook with wine. I prefer to drink |
| cannot dwell on the past, but we can revel in the | | | | wine while I cook! I found this website very useful |
| present and eagerly look forward to the future. | | | | in providing guidance for both making your own |
| I realize there are many varieties of wines out | | | | wine as well as using wine in your culinary exploits: |
| there and this is not a comprehensive list, it will | | | | Many people feel that you can only have white |
| give you a basis to start your education and allow | | | | wine with fish and chicken and red wine with red |
| you to grow your tastes from there. | | | | meat. I disagree. While often times the respective |
| White wines in a nutshell: | | | | wines will pair better that way, sometimes a glass |
| White Zinfadel - Fruity and easy to drink. This is | | | | of red wine tastes best with fish, and a glass of |
| probably the easiest wine to start off with. REally | | | | white wine with meat. Sometimes, the best way |
| more of a Rose than a white. | | | | to enjoy a glass of white wine is over ice on a |
| Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc - These are dry, | | | | hot day. I like to have a glass of red every |
| slightly fruity, and sometimes carry hints of oak. | | | | evening to calm the stresses of the day. Some |
| Chardonnay - Fruity with a hint of oak. Often said | | | | people only drink when eating. The beauty of wine |
| to have a buttery flavor. | | | | is that you will find your own favorities to have |
| Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris - Medium to full bodied with | | | | when and with what, and you will have fun doing |
| floral overtones. Some will have a fruity taste, | | | | it your way! |
| some will have a peppery bite. | | | | I like to find wine shops that have tastings. That |
| Red wine in a nutshell: | | | | is where you can find some of your best |
| Pinot Noir - Medium bodied, fruity, and peppery. | | | | education. The person serving the wine normally |
| Syrah - Berries, cherry, chocolate, peppery. | | | | has a great amount of experience and can give |
| Merlot - Medium bodied. Slight hints of fruit, floral, | | | | advice and answer questions. I find that |
| and peppery. Some hints if vanilla and oak. | | | | sommolier's love wine so much that once you get |
| Cabernet Savignon - Full bodied. Hints of fruit, | | | | engaged in a conversation, you will find that you |
| floral, and peppery. Some will taste of oak and | | | | have spent a lot of time and gained a new friend. |
| tobacco. | | | | Another great way to learn about wines is to go |
| These are just the basics to get you started. | | | | to the vineyards in your area, if you are so lucky |
| Please keep in mind that there are many different | | | | as to live in wine country, and take the tours and |
| varieties of wine as well as blended table wines. | | | | drink the wine while you are there. They educate |
| What may taste good to you, may not taste so | | | | you on the entire process of how wine is made, |
| well to another person. That is one reason I love | | | | to how it is to be consumed. |