How Do You Know What Type of Wine Will Appeal to You in the Wine Shop?

"Wine merchants may have a collection of preselected wines that are popular among their clients. Based on this popularity, as well as their own experience, these experts can make sound suggestions to new customers like you. Recommendations from these people, who know what they're talking about, are great most of the time. Then again, there will be occasions when you'll find the selections presented before you as unappealing, to say the least. As a rule of thumb, when it comes to wines, your taste buds should make the judgment. However, how do you know the proper way to taste wines?"

http://www.paulrobertswines.co.uk/blog/44-how-do-you-know-what-type-of-wine-will-appeal-to-you-in-the-wine-shop

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Wine-Pairing Tips from Wine Merchants

From the many occasions when their recommendations have been asked, merchants have learned from experience that considering a certain wine to be the best is basically a subjective judgment. Considering that even these people – who definitely know what they're talking about – acknowledges that taste is relative, don't stress yourself out whenever you have to pick a bottle.

When serving wine for the holidays, the experts share this tip: roast turkey may be served with either red or white wine. So before pouring the liquid on a glass, common courtesy dictates that you ask first what the person prefers. If her or she doesn't know any better, you may then offer your suggestions. Experts say that either the fruity taste of Pinot Noir or the rustic appeal of Burgundy wine would make for a good match to the flavorful dish. Once you've done your part, let his or her taste buds decide.

Employ the same approach on different occasions whether or not you're dealing with the same person. Always remember that selecting the best wine is a matter of personal taste. In case your suggestion wasn't received well by your guest, don't take it personally. On those occasions, it's best to agree to disagree. There's got to be one wine for every palate. Sometimes, it takes several wrong sips before finding the one that tastes just right.

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Giving Wine Gifts for Winter Weddings: Something Special, Yet Personal

"Once you have made your choice, you can opt to order wine by the case. Wine providers like Paul Roberts Wines sell a case of 12 bottles consisting of various grape varieties in different areas. If you prefer a personal wedding gift box, consult the wine company for the right selection. Wine will always be a good wedding present. It symbolizes life, celebration, strength, and transformation—all the ingredients of marriage."

http://www.paulrobertswines.co.uk/blog/43-giving-wine-gifts-for-winter-weddings-something-special-yet-personal

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How to Choose A Wine Gift for the Host

Suppose one of your friends invites you to a small gathering this coming holiday season. It may be all but an unwritten rule that you have to bring a gift for the host as a token of appreciation for their efforts to organize the occasion. Some of the guests might bring food to share, others may decide to have gifts for everyone – but then again, there you are, ready to surprise the hosts with a good bottle of wine. However, you wouldn't want to bring just about any kind of wine to the party.

First, you have to learn about the event’s theme and the food the hosts will prepare. If the food’s leaning on Italian and Spanish, for example, research on which wines will go well with many food items from both categories. In this instance, a Chianti works with mushroom or cheese pasta, but might react differently if the host whips out a paella negra.

Learn about the hosts’ drinking preferences. If they are known to sip wine but have no idea which variety they like, buy one each of red and white wine, preferably from the same manufacturer. Best of all, chill it before you go to the venue and ask the hosts about keeping them in the chiller.

A good glass of wine is a wonderful icebreaker for friends having a simple dinner together. Giving the host a sample of your tipple may get them interested.

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How Europe Influenced World Through Wines

Wine drinking is seen as a European thing, but that's no surprise. When you live in a continent that has been drinking wine for centuries as part of every meal, there's no doubt that they have already established a “wine culture.” The U.K. may not be the biggest consumer of wine in Europe, but people have been known to enjoy a glass of wine every now and then, as well. You just can't get through a day in Europe without seeing a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon on the table.

From an essential drink to a staple icon of society and culture, wine lubricates social interactions, and from that, great stories were told and friendships were formed. One of the reasons why people are more inclined to chat when they have had a drink or two is that wine helps them relax. The Germans  were known to have introduced women to drinking. The French, on the other hand, tested one's masculinity by his ability to drink huge amounts of alcohol.

Soon enough, these cultural impressions have spread throughout the world. Overall, the wine has shaped the way people around the world view alcohol and the different kinds of drinkers. All it takes to get into the wonderful world of wines is one simple glass. 

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Fun with Wine

It is unavoidable to think about candlelight, fancy dinners, and budding romance when one mentions wine. Wine is so romanticized in the public imagination that it has been put on a pedestal above other drinks. This doesn’t mean that wine cannot be enjoyed beyond smelling it and commenting on how crisp it is. Here are some suggestions on how to spice your wine experience up a bit:

1. Wine Pong. Who said beer pong can only be played with beer? Have a classy night—and hopefully not a clumsy one—with wine glasses instead of plastic cups. Be careful with the table, though.
2. Drunken Battleship. A Battleship board and alcohol is all that is needed (cheese and other wine complements are optional). If player one gets the coordinate wrong, he must gulp down a drink. If he gets it right, player two must drink. If a ship is sunk, the losing player must drink double the amount of the ship (a destroyer takes five coordinates, so the losing player takes 10 sips).
3. Pocky Game. Invest in the romantic capabilities of wine with this game. In the game, two players (preferably going on a date) will chomp down on different ends of a wafer stick until they kiss. The player who breaks away loses and sips more wine. Replace the wafer stick with a stick of cheese, as cheese complements wine perfectly.

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