Wine Types & Selection Tips : Wine for a Dinner Party
October 23, 2010
Bringing wine to a dinner party can be difficult unless a person is familiar enough with the host to ask what food is being served. Avoid choosing the wrong wine for a dinner party, like selecting a White Wine for a steak dinner, with ideas from a wine connoisseur in this free video on wines.
Expert: Gabriel Chisese
Bio: Gabriel Chisese and his brother Victor Chisese run Estate Wines in an upmarket area of North London.
Filmmaker: Kathy Stannard
Duration : 0:1:42
Tips in Choosing White Wine for a Special Occasion
October 19, 2010
If you are going to hold a very special dinner party, then you will, of course, need some wine to better complement the dishes that you will be serving. However, choosing white wine can become a bit of a task, especially since there are many Types of White Wines and there are many brands to choose from as well. For this reason, here are some simple tips in choosing white wine for your dinner party.
The very first factor that you will have to consider is its taste. Would you like a sweet White Wine for your dinner party or a dry one? Sweet white wine simply means sweet, while dry white wine means the opposite. Next, you also have to choose between a heavy white wine and a light white wine. Simply put, light white wine has more of a delicate flavor and delicate texture, while heavy white wine has a denser texture and a stronger flavor. You should note though that heavy white wine has a higher level of alcohol content than light white wine.
To better help you in choosing the best bottle of white wine that will go well with your dinner party menu, you can visit a liquor store that offers different brands of white wines. More often than not, the salesperson is knowledgeable in white wine and knows the differences of each brand, and he or she can help you decide on what bottle to get. For this reason, be sure that you already have a set menu in mind so as not to waste your time and the salesperson’s time.
Lastly, compare the prices of the different brands. Again, the salesperson can help you in this dilemma because he or she might know a cheaper white wine that is almost equal to the more expensive ones. However, if you have the money to buy the best, then do so. A good way of showing appreciation to your guests is by offering them the best white wine.
There really are no strict rules when it comes to choosing white wines because the type will depend, of course, upon your preferences. What you can do then is to choose one that can best complement the dishes that you will be serving during your dinner party. For a light dinner party, choose a light white wine that will not overpower the flavors of the dish; and if you are going to serve a heavy dinner, then go for the heavy white wines. What is important is that you choose a white wine that you will enjoy drinking.
Types of White Wines : Semillon White Wines
October 14, 2010
Semillon has honey and nutty overtones that pair with fish and chicken. Learn more about Semillon White Wines in this free video from a wine sommelier.
Expert: Jane Nickles
Bio: Jane Nickles is the author of “Wine Speak 101.” She is also a wine writer for “The Texas Wine and Food Gourmet” and “Eat and Drink Magazine.
Filmmaker: MAKE | MEDIA
Duration : 0:1:9
The Common Types of White Wines
October 11, 2010
There are several types of white wines in the market, and what makes them different from each other is the type of grapes used in the production of white wine.
The Chardonnay white wine is the most common and is, in fact, the favorite white wine of the United States. This is made from the chardonnay grapes, which is a type of grape that is low maintenance and can easily adapt to the different climates. It goes well with pork and poultry dishes as well as seafood.
The Chenin Blanc white wine is produced from a very versatile grape that originated from Loie Valley of France. Its versatility has allowed it to grow and nourish in California as well as South Africa. Chenin blanc goes well with salads as well as white meat. It is also ideal for sushi and seafood.
The Gewurztraminer white wine came from the Gewurztraminer grape which flourishes predominantly in cool climates. The cooler the climate, the more concentrated the flavors become. This goes well with Asian dishes, although it can also fully complement barbecue dishes.
The Pinot Blanc produces a slightly lighter white wine body with light flavors, but what makes it different from the rest is its high acidity characteristic. This is often paired with seafood dishes and cheeses that have a very mild flavor. It also goes very well with meats that have light flavor.
The Pinot Grigio white wine is Italy’s most famous type of white wine. This is produced from Pinot Grigio grapes that flourish n the Veneto as well as the Friuli regions of Italy. This is often paired with cheese cracker snacks as well as seafood dishes, although you can also pair it with light pasta dishes.
The Riesling white wine originally came from the Rhein region of Germany as well as from the Mosel river valleys. This type of white wine is quickly gaining a strong foothold in the wine industry and is fast becoming a favorite of wine enthusiasts, too. This white wine is very versatile and can go very well with just about any type of dish. You can pair it to an appetizer or even a dessert, and it also goes very well with pork, shellfish, and poultry dishes.
The Sauvignon Blanc white wine originally came from France, in the country’s Loire Valley regions; but when New Zealand started making its own sauvignon blanc white wines, theirs became a fast favorite because of the unique zest the colder Marlborough climate has given it. Like the Reisling white wine, it is also very versatile and goes well with a variety of dishes.
The Muscat White Wine came from the Semillon grapes of Bordeaux, France, and it is best served with fish dishes. You can also pair it off with shellfish or pasta salad.
The Muscat white wine offers a very sweet and fruity flavor, and the best way to enjoy this white wine is to take it without food.
How to Choose a White Wine for Cooking
October 2, 2010
It is not unusual to add wine to a dish that you are cooking. In fact, the wine lends a very unique taste to the dish that would otherwise have been bland. However, for those who are not used to using wine in their dishes, here are some very simple tips in choosing the type of white wine that you can use in your cooking.
The most important rule in choosing the white wine for cooking is to use only the type of white wine that you like to drink. Remember, the wine lends flavor to the dish, so you would naturally want the dish to turn out delicious. For example, a recipe calls for a certain type of white wine or a certain brand that you do not particularly enjoy, then you can ignore it and choose your favorite white wine.
There are a variety of cooking wines in the market nowadays, and some recipes will ask that you use one for your cooking. Although you can use a cooking wine, you have to know that they are mostly watered-down white wines or white wines with a very cheap base. They also contain sugar and salt as well as artificial food coloring to make them look more genuine that. For this reason, choose a genuine White Wine over a cooking wine if you want a delicious meal.
Never, ever use a white wine that you would not normally drink in your dish. Remember, the white wine will give its flavors to the dish, so you would not want to end up with a bitter-tasting or sour-tasting dish because of a bad choice. If you are not a wine drinker or does not have any good white wine on hand, remove the ingredient altogether from the recipe. It is better to omit the wine than end up with a spoiled dish.
Another thing that you have to consider, too, when it comes to using white wine for cooking is the cost of the bottle. Just because the white wine is expensive does not mean that it can lend the best flavor to the dish. There are cheaper white wines that you can use, especially those that you enjoy drinking.
If you are going to choose between a light and a dry white wine, go for the dry one, particularly those that are medium bodied or full bodied. They will lend the most flavors to the dish. If you use a light white wine, you will notice that it will only add a little flavor to what you are cooking.
Wine Types & Selection Tips : Select White Wines
October 1, 2010
Selecting a White Wine depends on the situation and how the wine is going to be used, like using a Sauvignon Blanc for small social settings. Discover other situations to choose a white wine, like when eating a meal, with ideas from a wine connoisseur in this free video on wines.
Expert: Gabriel Chisese
Bio: Gabriel Chisese and his brother Victor Chisese run Estate Wines in an upmarket area of North London.
Filmmaker: Kathy Stannard
Duration : 0:4:52