| It doesn't matter whether you enjoy a glass of | | | | the restaurants sommeliers, for a |
| wine at home with friends, in a restaurant or in a | | | | recommendation, be sure to be specific. Ask |
| tasting room at a vineyard, there are a number | | | | what wines compliment your dish and say |
| of things that you should avoid doing. This will | | | | whether you prefer full-bodied wines or wines |
| really help you, and those you are with, have an | | | | from a specific region. |
| enjoyable experience. | | | | Once the wine has been selected and brought to |
| Wine Tasting | | | | the table, one of you should have a taste of it. A |
| You can enjoy a wine taster at a vineyard or | | | | small amount will be poured and the taster will |
| even a local wine shop, either way the correct | | | | swirl it in the glass and have a sip. When approval |
| etiquette should be followed. | | | | is given, wine is poured starting on the right with |
| If you are going to be tasting a number of | | | | women having their glasses filled first. The host's |
| different types of wine you traditionally start with | | | | glass is topped off last. |
| the white wines first. This is because white wines | | | | Serving Guests at Home |
| are lighter in both taste and body compared to | | | | Although you are in your own home, many of the |
| red wine. After you have tasted the white wines | | | | same rules apply such as the way you hold a |
| you can then move onto the reds which are fuller | | | | glass and the fact that women and older guest |
| bodied. | | | | should be served first. |
| When holding your glass, make sure to grip the | | | | Select some wines which you think your guests |
| stem. If you hold the wine glass by the bowl, | | | | will enjoy. Start with light white wines in the same |
| your hand will heat the wine. This could change | | | | way you do in a tasting room. Also select foods |
| the flavor. | | | | that will complement the wines such as cheese |
| Even the smallest details can change the flavour | | | | and fruit. Swiss, brie and Gouda go excellently well |
| of wine. So make sure you don't wear any strong | | | | with white wine. Next move onto the red wines. |
| smelling perfumes which could mask or interfere | | | | Reds have a heavier body than whites. Select a |
| with the bouquet. | | | | red that goes well with your main dish if you are |
| Avoid eating heavily flavoured foods such as | | | | having a meal. If you are having a simple party, |
| curries and don't smoke. Both these things will limit | | | | again, have cheeses that will bring out the flavor |
| the flavours you'll taste in the wine. | | | | of the wine. |
| Restaurant Etiquette | | | | Finish off the evening with a sweet dessert wine. |
| When ordering wine with a meal in a restaurant | | | | Port is a wonderful choice. Make sure you choose |
| make sure you select one which compliments | | | | a dessert that will compliment it. |
| your meal. When asking the server, or better yet | | | | |