With wine, you can’t cut corners. You will not be able to select a good wine and serve it properly if you do not know a few things about wine. The article below contains some basic information about wine that you need to know.

Wine should be stored in a dark, cool location. One of the best places to help your wine remain fresh if you do not have a wine cellar is in a closet in your basement. Store your bottles on their side away from any light sources to help it remain fresh.

Read up as much as you can on wine through books and magazines. In these works, you will find that some of the best wine connoisseurs in the world rate some of the most popular wines. This will help you to decide what wines you want to buy if you have yet to try them.

Particularly if you are just discovering wine, don’t buy too much of any one thing. You may want to grab several bottles of whatever you enjoy, but as you continue learning more, you are going to start to like different things. You probably won’t be interested in the wine that you enjoyed several months ago.

If you are new to the world of wine, consider attending a wine festival. Festivals are a wonderful way to meet other people with an interest in wines and try several varieties without breaking the bank. You can also get some great ideas about pairing wines with foods. The fun and festive atmosphere also provides for a great date night out.

You can make amazing pairings with your favorite wine. For example, you can pair a Chardonnay with either Gouda or Provolone. For stronger cheeses, such as Cheddar, opt for a Cabernet such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc. Zinfandel wines go beautifully with the more delicate cheeses such as Feta and Gouda.

Don’t be afraid of experimentation. The best method of learning all about different wines is experimenting. Sample one that a shop person recommends, or experiment with one because of the talking card near it. You can always locate a new favorite!

Don’t be afraid to try something new. Once a particular wine catches on with the public, it is often found in mass on the market. It can be hard to find a good wine when there are so many sub-par labels on the shelves. To combat this problem, try wine from lesser known regions. You may be surprised at the quality.

Ask if you can taste a few wines before buying. Most wine stores will offer tastings to their customers on a regular basis or set schedule. By trying a few varieties in the store, you can increase your chances of walking out with a bottle you really love. This is a better way to shop than buying blindly.

If you are new to wine, learning about all the different types of wine can be extremely overwhelming. However, with time and experience coming into play, you will discover it isn’t quite so hard. Apply the advice contained in this article to make sure that you buy the perfect bottle of wine on your next trip to the store.