The way wine is served can improve the taste.
Creating the optimal environment for a cheap bottle of wine can make all the difference. Wine can be sensitive to changes in temperature, air and light, and so it needs to be handled with care and served correctly. For wine lovers unable to afford a cellar of vintage bottles, there are simple steps to get the most out of cheaper red wine.
Instructions
1. Decant the wine into another receptacle, ideally a crystal decanter or a carafe. Decanting red wine separates the wine from its sediment, which can make a red wine taste bitter if left in an opened bottle. The process also allows the wine to oxygenate, giving the wine an opportunity to mellow and develop more complex flavors. This can remove the edge of a tannic, sharp-tasting cheaper bottle of red. When decanting, pour the wine slowly into a decanter and stop when the sediment gets to the neck of the bottle. Then allow the wine 20 minutes or more to "breathe" before serving.
2. Serve your red wine in large-sized, quality wine glasses. How wine is presented makes a difference to the perception of taste. To maximize the flavor of red wine, choose a large glass with a wide rim. A large glass will allow the wine to breathe and let the aromas release and mingle. Swirling the wine around the glass before drinking will give the aromas further opportunity to release.
3. Before drinking a cheap bottle of red, ensure it is served at the right temperature. A cheap bottle of red wine can taste worse if served too cold or too hot, as it will lose a lot of character and flavor. Cheap reds generally taste better at room temperature.
4. Make sure that wine glasses are warm or at room temperature. If glasses are cold run them under a hot tap for a minute. While drinking, cup a hand around the bulb of the glass to keep the wine warm as this helps flavors to mature.
5. Pair the wine with a complimentary snack or meal. Certain foods can bring out the flavors in cheap wine. Red wine can taste better and more expensive with salty snacks such as olives and chips.
Tags: cheap bottle, allow wine, large glass, room temperature, taste better, wine glasses
