Wine is more than just a beverage, it is an experience, or, at least, it should be. However, there are common mistakes made with the beverage, especially if someone is a newbie or unaccustomed to it. Here are some common mistakes made with wine and tips on how to avoid them.

1. Serving It at the Wrong Temperature–If a wine is served too cold, it can stunt the elixir’s bouquet (fruit flavors) and tasters will not be able to taste its full expression. Conversely, if it is served too hot, the beverage can taste off-kilter and the alcohol will be more pronounced. At the end of the day, the right temperature to serve a wine at is all about personal preference. Therefore, those enjoying the elixir should have fun while experimenting and figure out how they like to drink it. Be forewarned, however, when getting together with friends, their tastes may differ from the host’s. Thus, it is a good idea to have a wine selection of varying temperatures available for guests.

2. Pairing the Wrong Food With Wine–Pairing an entrée with the wrong wine can completely ruin the taste of not only the chosen beverage but also the food itself. However, if you are successful with the pairing process, it can elevate the culinary experience to a whole new level. It is definitely worth researching the process to get the perfect pairing. Similar to temperature, it is geared towards individual taste preferences.

3. Overfilling the Glass–For those unaccustomed to drinking the elixir, it is a common mistake to overfill the glass. Whether someone is a wine fan or not, it is fun to get one’s swirl on, so to speak. Here is why–Swirling the elixir releases more of its bouquet and natural aromas. Moreover, it is always good to sniff the beverage as well. After all, the scent is a vital aspect of the tasting process. Therefore, wine tasters should only fill their glass about one-third to halfway full, in order to fully enjoy the experience without making a mess.

4. Storing It in Warm Places–If someone stores wine at warm temperatures for an extended time, it can degrade the beverage and reduce the strength of its flavors. The ideal storage conditions for the elixir is a dark and cool place with a temperature around 55 degrees Celsius. Moreover, the most important thing is to keep the beverage at a constant temperature, so it is best to avoid taking it in and out of the fridge or storage area. Storage options could include the back of a closet or a wine fridge that is maintained at a constant temperature. Keeping bottles in a standard refrigerator can be a dicey proposition given how often they are accessed.

5. Aging It for Too Long–Most wine is made to be enjoyed within a couple of years of purchase. There is rarely a need to store the elixir for decades or centuries before it is enjoyed. If someone likes to entertain on a regular basis, it is always a good idea to have a small collection of the beverage available when an unexpected occasion arises. It is not necessary to have a vast collection or cellar as most wine can be bought and sampled soon after purchase. The beverage is meant to be enjoyed, therefore, do not allow dust to form on the bottles before drinking them.

Whether someone is a lover of the elixir or not, there are always new aspects to experiment with and sample, in an effort to enhance the experience. Hopefully, these common mistakes made with wine will educate newbies and connoisseurs alike to new elements of the complex world of the beverage and help ensure tasters are getting the most out of their alcohol purchase.

Written and Edited by Leigh Haugh

Sources:
LifeDaily–Are You Making These 7 Mistakes With Wine?
ClubW–The 9 Most Common Wine Mistakes
New York Times–12 Everyday Bottles for Wine Lovers
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