If you like red wine but don’t know much about it, you’ve come to the right place. In this article we look at some handy tips for buying and serving red wine.
Work up through the sizes
If you are going to be serving more than one glass (or bottle) of red wine, the key thing to remember is to work through the sizes. In other words, start with a light red wine such as a Merlot, Barbara or Gamay, then move onto a medium bodied wine like a Tempranillo, Pinot Noir or Malbec, and/or finish with a full bodied red wine such as Shiraz, Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon. If you start with the heavier red wine first, you’ll find that this will overpower the lighter red wine.
Full-bodied red wines are best saved for food
Big, powerful red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz work best with tasty red meat. Why? Because these red wines are full of tannins, body and alcohol, which taste good with meat proteins but are often too harsh drunk on their own.
Light red wines work best over lunch
Soft and gentle red wines, such as Merlot and Gamay, are a great choice if you are drinking over lunch. This is because they are low in tannin, alcohol and acidity, which makes them easy to drink and not too powerful for the afternoon ahead. Similarly, they are a great choice as an aperitif, or for drinking on their own on a summer’s afternoon.
Buy for the person and occasion
Everyone has different tastes when it comes to red wine, so make sure that you buy your red wine to suit the person who will be drinking it. For example, if you are buying for yourself, go for something that you will like, not what the shop assistant or your friend likes. Also, it’s worth considering the occasion. If you hosting a dinner party, then a big full bodied red wine is bound to come up trumps but if you are having a lunchtime drinks party then a softer and fruitier red wine will be far more appropriate.
Focus on the style
When it comes to choosing a bottle of red wine, if you don’t know where to start or could do with a helping hand, it’s worth looking to retailers who focus on wine styles. Wine styles can give you a lot more choice compared to if you focus on grapes, countries or regions. For example, if you know that you like an Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon, the chances are you’ll stick to that in future, but if you discover that you like “Huge Reds” (full bodied, fruity reds) then you’ll have a host of different grapes to choose from including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Zinfandel from Old and New World Countries.
Look to where the value is
Don’t be tempted to splash out on big brands or famous names, as you’ll end up paying for the labels. Instead, it is far better is to look to the lesser known regions, where you’ll get all the same quality for a fraction of the price. For example, try a Chilean Cabernet Merlot as a value alternative to a Classic Bordeaux.
Serving is the easy bit
The key to serving red wine is to place it in the kitchen before drinking to ensure that it is the right temperature. Also, especially if you have an old vintage or full-bodied red wine, you might want to open in advance to let it breath. Easy as that!
So now you’ve got the tips, you’ll be ready to put them in to action.
Louise Truswell
http://www.articlesbase.com/wines-and-spirits-articles/how-to-get-the-most-from-your-red-wine-567906.html
October 21st, 2009 at 9:34 pm
What is your most unique Australian food and wine experience?
As a presenter for Channel 7’s The Great Outdoors I get a lot of opportunities to sample the amazing array of food and wine that Australia has to offer. What have been your most interesting and memorable Australian food and wine experiences?
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:36 am
I would have to say that sampling bush tucker in Margaret River was an interesting experience! We tried smoked grubs, several types of berries that I’ve never been game to pick before and even tasted kangaroo, crocodile and emu! Fortunately it is a good wine growing area so there was plenty of chardonnay to wash the bad tasting stuff down!
I am amazed on what people survived on. Such a dry climate means bountiful food supplies are few and far between.
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October 22nd, 2009 at 2:38 am
When I was a kid we took a four wheel drive tour in Coffs Harbour.
We stopped for lunch and the tour guide put bananas on the bbq, then served them up to us with custard and cinnamon.
I have never before or since experienced this delicious dish, but it was certainly memorable!
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October 22nd, 2009 at 2:40 am
EATING TOO MUCH , DRINKING TOO MUCH AND HAVING TO REST FOR A WHOLE DAY WITH A HANG OVER ,
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MY SELF
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:42 am
Making my first batch of lamingtons was pretty memorable. Its amazing where coconut ends up!!
I have tried emu and it was surprisingly good. If Kangaroo is on the menu – I will always have it because it is so different from the norm.
I remember my grandmother telling me a story about my father (who was a kiwi). He refused point blank to try Kangaroo. So she minced the meat and turned it into rissoles and served it with gravy and veggies.
He told her they were the best rissoles he had ever tasted. Then she told him what they were. He wasn’t too impressed to be tricked like that.
On another note. Just wanted to say that I think you are one of the best presenters on TV Shelly. So very normal, and so very funny. Keep up the good work!!
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October 22nd, 2009 at 2:44 am
A National Pie with sauce, and a Fanta.
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October 22nd, 2009 at 2:46 am
Many years ago I went to a dinner in Sydney. Tony Bilson, the chef, had been given the Leeuwin Estate wines to be served with the meal well in advance and he cooked dishes to complement the wine, and made sure the wine complemented the food. Bilson is a great chef, and Leeuwin Estate wines are wonderful.
There were some surprising combinations but it was superb.
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October 22nd, 2009 at 2:48 am
Dhufish and Leeuwin Estate Reisling at Jessica’s in Perth, back in 2003. The presentation was magnificent. The service was impeccable.
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October 22nd, 2009 at 2:50 am
Alice Springs over 15 years ago. A Swiss-Indian Restaurant (whattha?) where we had Kangaroo Stroganoff (Aussie/Russian/Hungarian?) with local Alice Springs wine. That was surprisingly good. It was certainly the best presentation of Kangaroo I’d had.
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October 22nd, 2009 at 2:52 am
Most unique, I’d say exploring the markets in Darwin. I loved the food there beause it was such a blend of all the countries around Australia as well – Indomesian food was always a big player.
After 3 years of living up there, my favourite market meal ended up being pawpaw salad – so many different flavours that all blend to be so yum!
(Mango wine was also an experience in itself when it came out up there!!)
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October 22nd, 2009 at 2:54 am
Sundays at Sirromet Winery, Mount Cotton, QLD
Jazz…wine tasting…fabulous food…*sigh*
Winery tour & Morning tea/brunch at Domaine Chandon in the Yarra Valley – when those big doors open onto a magnificent view of the vines – Wow.
Tasting & Lunch at De Bortoli – you can smell the reds as you drive thru the gate
I could go on…. but now I have to open a bottle. I’m going to blame you
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October 22nd, 2009 at 2:56 am
Last year, I missed out on 4 months of Grade 6 to Travel around Australia…
I would say eating Croc, Emu and Grubs at Margret River….
I went with my Parents to this lovely little winery in Pemberton WA.
Its name is "lost lake" I think you should take a visit on the show… Their wine is wonderful.
My mum loved it so much…that for mothers day… I got her a Case of Honey Rouge shipped from WA.
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October 22nd, 2009 at 2:58 am
Sitting around a campfire on the birdsville track. 3-4 people, a billion stars, excellent company, no one for miles around. The local police officer came for a visit and delivered some meat from a freshly slaughtered cow. A few seconds over the fire and the meat was incredibly tender and the nicest I have ever tasted.
On a different topic, Shelley, you are an excellent presenter on The Great Outdoors. Incredibly funny, so natural, I love the laugh, and incredibly sexy!
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October 22nd, 2009 at 3:00 am
The most interesting and memorable restaurant experience I have had this year would have to be at the Shangri-La Hotel’s restaurant, Altitude. The food, wine, service – not to mention the breathtaking views – were absolutely outstanding. Being 36 floors up is enough to make your head spin and if you are feeling the slighest bit jaded about Sydney life, just head up there, take in the glamour and you’ll come back down loving this city.
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October 22nd, 2009 at 3:02 am
Sunset Restaurants.
Sunset Restaurant offers extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets with a wide variety of hot and cold dishes and something to suit every taste.
Located within the Skycity Casino complex, right on the water at Mindil Beach, this restaurant boasts a wonderful view over pool and gardens and out to sea. With 18 acres of tropical beachside gardens hosting beautiful birds, green tree frogs and other wildlife, where else are you likely to spot giant-sized goannas roaming poolside? Offering indoor and outside dining for up to 250 people (it does get very busy), Sunset Restaurant offers extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets with a wide variety of hot and cold dishes and something to suit every taste.
Breakfast includes a range of fresh and preserved fruits, yoghurts, cereals, breads, muffins and juices as well as all the traditional hot breakfast favourites. The lunch menu is similarly well-endowed, with soups, salads, a selection of hot dishes, carvery roasts and desserts. Along with the above, the dinner buffet also offers a scrumptious array of fresh seafood and an ice-cream buffet with dessert. If you don’t feel like buffet, Sunset offers surf and turf or t-bone steak served with rich gravy, peppercorn or mushroom sauce, Idaho potato and steamed vegetables. For a late night supper ideal for a sweet tooth sample the dessert-only buffet which offers a wide range of fresh fruits, cream, custards, tortes, flans, cheesecake, mousse and ice-cream.
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October 22nd, 2009 at 3:04 am
Mudgee, huntervalley or canberra…
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October 22nd, 2009 at 3:06 am
Anywhere with chocolate! Yay! Chocolate rocks! =D
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October 22nd, 2009 at 3:08 am
It was unique because of the way the visitors from overseas gawked at the steak on the barbie. They held up the raw steak for photos apparently this much meat in their country (European) would have been priceless and not something they had ever seen and there we were just casually throwing it on the barbie. I knew that we are a spoilt lucky country but had not had such a clear picture until that moment.
Re the wine experience— bicycling around the Barossa wine region. The roads are very hilly not that you would notice as there are lots of stops for wine tasting. The experience was unique as with all that exercise my taste in wine changed dramatically from dry reds to sweet whites. Thank goodness it changed back again after the trip as I worked at a winery. The best part of the job was on night shift. At the end of the night we had wine tasting in the barbecue area as some wines had fallen off the line or something (rescued ?)and the reds were the best ! so there are lots of us out here with great jobs
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October 22nd, 2009 at 3:10 am
i don’t think i’ve ever had anything particulary australian. i didn’t realise that aussies ate any different than us brits ! please enlighten us. congrats on the top job !! xx
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October 22nd, 2009 at 3:12 am
It involves my sport – sled dog racing. Anywhere out in the bush, with twenty to eighty sledding "friends" and up to three hundred dogs. Huge campfires, bush bbq’s and the sounds of dogs screaming as your preparing to race. Just magic – cant wait for our next season to start (only eight months to go!!). Otherwise, give me my favourite little vineyard in Dixons Creek Victoria – Allinda – only a short drive from home. The best cab savs going. For food, you cant beat the Heathcote Bakery (opposite the Footy ground) – the best cakes and pastries!! Or, the bakery in Nagambie (at the top end as your on the way out of town towards Shepparton). I think I’m giving a bad picture. But, one always needs a good bakery after a hard weekend of racing.
By the way Shelley – you rock!!
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