| By :
Mark Etinger
Drinking wine is a kind of art form: there is a process, an interaction with the medium, and an appreciation of the result by the participant. When all is said and drank, an opinion is usually given. This article is going to give you some tips to become the wine connoisseur you've always wanted to be. After reading these tidbits, you'll be well on your way to becoming an oenologist (student of wine). 1. With so many choices, it can be hard to know where to begin. Most people use their opinions based off of the wine they have drank and enjoyed in the past. But part of becoming a wine master is understanding why you enjoy a certain wine. Terms like "body" refer to the fullness of a wine, and differ greatly from wine to wine. For example, a cabernet sauvignon is a kosher wine with a lot of body, but a pinot noir is a more delicate kosher wine. Some people like fruitier wines, while others prefer more "old world," drier kosher wines usually from France, Spain and Italy. 2. Decide whether you want a red wine or a white. Whites usually pair well with lighter fare, like pasta, fish and poultry. Reds are great with a steak or any heartier meal. 3. Next, decide on the tannins. Tannins come from the skin of the grapes and are a kind of leftover. They produce a bitter, mouth puckering flavor in many younger wines. 4. Acidity is another aspect of wine that affects its taste. Too much can make the wine too bitter and ruin the flavors. Too little can lead to wine that tastes flat and juicy. Acidity underscores the flavor in wine and can make the fruits and spices stand out. 5. Oak barrels are usually used to store and age wine. Resultantly, they impart a certain taste to the wine that can be termed positively: vanilla, cedary, toasty and smoky. 6. The longer the finish, the better the wine, in most cases. This means that the longer the flavor, the aroma and aftertaste lasts, the better the finish. 7. Be critical of the bottle. Feel the depression at the bottom. This is called the "punt" and usually the bigger the depression, the better the wine. This factor also relates to the winery, and how they pay attention to the design and production of their wine. A basic bottle means a basic wine. 8. If you're still unsure about which wine to choose, many stores feature the rating or review of a bottle. While these are subjective opinions, they're usually more informed than yours (no offense). Ultimately, however, you want to find a kind of wine that you like based on the aforementioned qualities, and continue searching in that area for your favorite brand or winery. There you have it. With these tips, finding a kosher wine for dinner tonight, or for the weekend to bring to your neighbor's house shouldn't be difficult. So, what are you waiting for? Start tasting!
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