Not all the wines in the world are made the same. The first clue will come if you get your wine in a box, these varieties of wine are a lot like fruit cordial with a boost than a quality bottle of wine. Wines have a a range of tastes, depending on a range of key points
* Where in the world the wine is found * The Vintage * How the wine was stored.
Selecting a bottle of wine to have with your food depends on what type of meal you are having Typically fish and chicken is better served with a nice white wine. There are exceptions of course. If the chicken is prepared in a red wine, then going for a red wine to drink with the meal would be more appropriate. If you are going for a white wine, you can try a chardonnay for a smoother taste. Or if you prefer a sweet wine go for a Riesling. When eating dark meats like beef, ribs or venison then a red wine should be drank. The flavour of the wine will complement the meat beautifully. Merlots tend to be a softer taste, where as Cabernets are heartier. A Bordeaux wine will give a super hearty glass of wine. Try a Shiraz for a wine which has a spicy kick.
The most important thing to be aware of when preparing a meal is that the wine and food should complement eachother. Try to avoid having the food or drink offending each other. If you would like to serve a few different wines at a meal, remember these important steps:
1) Serve dryer wines before sweeter ones. 2) Allow your diners to enjoy a lighter before a full bodies one such as a Bordeaux. 3) It’s a good idea to serve the highest alcohol content wines at the end of the meal, so that the food will absorb more the alcohol making your guests feel less tipsy
Your food and drink choices should be running like a piece of music . This is the reason behind most restaurants beginning with an amouse bouche then a first course and ending with a sweet course. The most sweet part of the meal. Follow this rule for your wine, and you will have a good time. Start off with a wine to wake the taste buds up and then go up from there. Pudding can be served with a sweet wine or drink, however sweet wine is again an aquired taste.
Failing to plan is planning the fail! The essential step to hosting a sucessful dinner party is to have a trial run a week or so before. Trial your food and wine ideas with your partner or a close acquaintance to find out what works most sucessfully. When you have your dinner party, you can feel satisfied knowing that the food and wine matched well. Your aim should be to have your guests leave delighted and satisfied and be thinking about how well the night was – a great night out to remember.