Just because the price is under $20 or even under $10 doesn't mean it isn't a good wine. Buying ines to fill a wine cellar - make sure you know how they age and when they should be mature enough. Call the Winery. They love their wine and they want you to have the best experience possible. Don't be afraid to call and ask how a certain year is drinking.
Shipping Wine - Not all states allow you to ship wine to yourself. If you are from PA find a friend in NJ that will allow you to ship your wine. Buy by the case - you always get a discount and you don't usually have to buy a case of the same brand. Mix and Match.
Box O Wine - You will never look classy with a box of wine, but when your friends make fun of you remind them that it is actually the best way to store and drink wine since the vacuum package keeps the wine from hitting the air until it is in your glass. However, just because the wine hasn't breathed doesn't mean that the wine was any good in the first place.
Cellars - if you have a basement you can have an inexpensive wine cellar. Most basements are typically around 55-60 year round with a fair amount of humidity. If you have an area that you can section off and is away from any direct sunlight you can have a simple wine cellar. Shelving can be simple too. Ikea sells very inexpensive wine racks. Stain them yourself and you will look like you spent significantly more. If you are storing whites in the basement you really should invest in a wine fridge. You don't need anything fancy. HomeDepot sells wine fridges from $75 on up. Start with that.
Champagne - If the grapes are not from the Champagne region in France then it is just "sparkling wine." One of the best Sparlinking Wines that I have found is CHANDON. From the same company that produces Moet Chandon, except that CHANDON is in napa. Try the BRUT. Typically around $18 you will have a hard time ever spending $75 for White Star again. BODY - Ratings - typically the ratings relate too……all that really matters is that you enjoy the taste. TIDBITS to MAKE YOU SOUND IMPRESSIVE - Cheese Cheese always seems to accompany wine. Take a sip of wine, eat a bit of cheese and sip the wine again. Doesn't taste the same does it? Cheese coats the tongue keeping you from tasting all the nuances of the wine. For some of us that might be a good thing. Just keep in mind taste the wine and make a judgement on it before you alter your taste buds. Lesson Legs etc. Tips: if you don't finish the bottle of wine the first night that you open it do not save it in the original wine bottle. Instead, save the contents in a small glass container (link to wine enthusiast) or even a plastic bottle. If you leave the wine in the original bottle the air oxidizes it and turns it to vinegar. Storage of wine White: 45-50degrees Red: 65degrees If stored incorrectly white wine gets deeper and red wine gets lighter. That is called materization. The Five S's of Wine Tasting: See Swirl Sniff (smell) Sip Swallow(Spit) Major Grape Varieties WHITE: Riesling Chenin Blanc Pinot Blanc/Bianco Pinot Gris/Grigio Semillion Sauvignon Blanc Gewurztraminer Chardonnay Viognier RED: Gamay Pinot Noir Grenache Sangiovese Tempranillo Cabernet Franc Nebbiolo Merlot Zinfandel Syrah (Shiraz) Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Reading a wine label: Producer, Wine Name, came From Buying Glassware Cut edge is best Crystal rougher Bigger bowl - more aromatic (more surface area to breathe) Chianti - roosters don't mean anything Pinot Gre is a little thicker than Pinot Griogio Sparling wine goes with anything from red meat to a light pasta Under $20 Sparkling: Nino Franco "Rustico" Prosecco di Valdobiadenne $13 Sparkling wine, sweet, bit dry, goes down easy, good with finger foods Gruet Brut New Mexico $15 Chardonnay and Pinot noir, bit yeasty, dryer and heavier Paul Laurent Brut Champagne $23 Dryer Cascinetta Moscato d'Asti $13 Very Sweet and Yummy, good with salty foods Grahams 6 Grapes Port $19/$11 Sorta sweet, but very heavy - reminds me of medicine Reds CH Cambon Beaujolais $13 Simple wine for simple food. Goes well with spice like chinese Domain Beragna Marsannay $15 Good with most foods, light with no after taste Geographic Montegiacchi Chianti Classic Riserva $20 Hint of sweet, nice and light Heritage Rd Shiraz $10 Reminds me of manishevitz CH Jander Moulis en Medoc $15 Nice, light, some taste, bit of aftertaste Terra Cabernet Sauvignon $13 Fruity and soft White Wines Ligenfelder Riesling, Pfalz $12 Ch Ducla Entre Deux Mers $9 Cantarutti Pinot Gridio Collio $14 Light Vinum Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch $12 Light oak, creamy, Light aftertaste Domani Brocard Bourgogne en sol Kimmeridgein $10 No oadk, good with oysters Montes Chardonnay Reserve Curcio Valley $10
