This is a guest post by John Stuart of Hard to Find WINES.
So you’re swirling your room temperature red wine in a large bowled glass. Are you sure this is the only way you can enjoy a red?
The team at BC Wine knows all about the stigmas, habits and requirements regarding red wine.
We believe a connoisseur and an ignoramus can get more enjoyment out of red wine by broadening some paradigms.
A few myths do the rounds that shouldn’t stop your fun. Recognize these so-called facts as myths and reset your viewpoint on red wine. You’ll love your new discoveries.
1. The Meat Myth
It’s standard in every restaurant to pick wine according to your dish. Is this necessary?
Most wine drinkers believe the myth that red wine goes with red meat, while white wine fits with fish.
Have you tried doing the opposite?
The bold taste of red wine with high quantities of iron may overpower fish dishes or cause unappetising aftertastes. However, some dishes such as grilled fish can hold their own.
Drink light bodied reds that don’t contain too much iron and it may be worth a try.
2. Room Temperature Only
I pity the waiter who makes the mistake of serving red wine chilled.
The strictness of the rule is unnecessary. Wine drinkers can adjust their requirements according to the wine’s body.
If you’re having a lighter bodied red wine drink it slightly chilled at 55°F. The lighter in body the more chilled the wine can be. It won’t ruin the taste.
3. Red Wines are Heavy Wines
When you’re looking for refreshment on a warm humid day red wine may be the last thing you consider.
Why? Many red wines exist that are as light as the white wines you usually favour.
No, this is not limited to Pinot Noir. Thanks to a few changes in the wine market some brands now produce lighter red wines where red fruit flavours give the beverage a lighter feel.
4. It Must be Old to be Good
Aged wine is not necessarily a sign of quality and good taste. Did you know wine is perishable?
Certain wines are actually meant to be consumed within the first five years. They won’t improve by standing in your cupboard.
5. Blends are Mediocre
There’s a rumour that grapes used to make a red wine must come from a single source. If not, the wine isn’t worth considering.
Is this true? I can’t fault someone for believing this. There are many terrible blends not worth anyone’s time.
This doesn’t mean all blends must be ignored. It simply requires selective purchases.
Remove the really cheap blends—that gave blends a bad name—from your list.
The next price range has many brands that produce quality blends. When wine makers produce blends using the correct grapes such as Merlot, exceptional flavours are created.
6. Alcohol Levels
Depending on your preferences this busted myth can be good or bad news.
Most wine drinkers believe white and red wines have the same ABV (alcohol by volume) levels. The fact is red wine is more alcoholic than white wine.
The darker and bodied your chosen wine is, the higher the ABV levels will be. Currently, there aren’t many full bodied white wines on the market.
7. Red Wine Requires a Certain Type of Glass
Yes, there are reasons why different glasses were developed:
- The shape of the glass influences the flavour you experience.
- Red wine must be served in larger bowled glasses so ethanol can evaporate. A wider opening allows for smoother taste sensations.
However, these days it’s not necessary to overburden your cupboards or budget. Many glass manufacturers sell glasses of a unique design. This suffices in the requirements for both red and white wine drinking.
8. You’ll Want to Sleep After Drinking it
The source of this myth is almost laughable. People believe red wine makes them sleepy, because of the time they pick to drink it.
Think about it. Red wine is usually enjoyed when you want to relax. When you want to be refreshed you prefer a white wine.
When you’re already tired red wine will help you relax. However, nothing in the chemical setup suggests that it makes you more fatigued than other wines.
9. If you Want Good Wine it will Cost you
Picking your next bottle based on the high price tag won’t guarantee you an excellent wine.
A wine’s price is influenced by many factors that have nothing to do with the taste or quality. This includes:
- Country of origin
- Public image the manufacturer has
- The connotations such as celebrities who purchase the wine
Do you want to pay a high price, simply because a Hollywood star once drank a glass of the particular brand?
Try out more affordable wines and be pleasantly surprised.
So are you going to stick with your old beliefs that limit your experiences? Why not start with a clean slate? Review your attitude to red wine and enjoy a side of it that you didn’t know existed.
Please visit the Hard to Find WINES website to discover their unique portfolio of wines.