Master sommelier Alpana Singh has just penned a new book about women and wine, Alpana Pours: About Being a Woman, Loving Wine & Having Great Relationships. It is based on her observations of couples and how they interact over wine, as well as how to incorporate wine into different occasions, such as from "first dates to 'meeting the parents'." It seems aimed at women who are novice wine drinkers - just about everyone, compared to Singh - and wants to serve as an introduction to the subject, to push wine one step closer to being an everyday thing. Here are a few of Singh's most basic tips for wanna-be wine lovers
- Older isn't always better, so don't be afraid to drink it if you've got it.
- Chardonnays are "'pretty boys' that don't ask you to think." Develop a taste for "sophisticates" like Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Sangiovese.
- Chilling inexpensive wines makes "off" flavors disappear in whites, and makes reds "taste earthier and richer."
- "Don't give easily recognized, inexpensive wines as gifts." Look for more obscure, but still recommended, budget wines.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-29-2006 @ 11:20AM
Howard said...
Let's talk about it.
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9-29-2006 @ 11:44AM
MJ said...
Those are some great tips. Ive always bought inexpensive wines! Even for gifts, if I know what they like to drink. The best gift someone bought me for a dinner I was giving was an Italian sparkling wine that is slightly sweet and bubbly. I agree on the chilling part that gives a better flavor to most wines. Most of my favorites cost $5-$20! Also its better to cook with a wine that you would drink, those cooking wines are awful!!
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9-29-2006 @ 2:13PM
Alex said...
I am not so sure about the comment about chardonnay (and I don't even particularly LIKE chardonnay). It sounds like a very simplistic, over generalisation.
I've had some lovely chardonnays - both old and new world. Just as I've had some 'unsophisticated' cab savs.
I think better advice would be to suggest some good budget chardonnays that show the different styles - for example unoaked, oaked, old world and new world.
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9-30-2006 @ 2:40PM
SCSthrnBell said...
My dad makes homemade wine and has done so for 30 years. I have to say that I have never had any that can top his. He has made peach, pear, blackberry, grape, blueberry and even elderberry just to see what it would taste like(YUCK!) and a few one timers that he has tried. Once you figure out the technique and the tricks of the trade, homemade is the best. His also has between a 12 - 14% alcohol content, so that helps too. :) My favorite is Blackberry Merlot and I haven't found any that I can buy that I was very impressed with. In fact, I have bought very expensive bottles that didn't taste as good as the el cheapo stuff from the grocery store. Anyone know of an exquisite blackberry merlot??
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