Recommendations for enjoying a red wine
CONTENT
- 1.- Keep the wine at the best temperature
- 2.- Avoid filling the glass with red wine
- 3.- Choose the right red wine glass
- 4.- Take the wine glass by the stem
- 5.- Accompany the wine with an excellent meal
- 6.- Investigate its properties
Red wine is not only a drink but also an opportunity to experience unique events such as grape harvest season or tasting flavors, aromas and textures that you have never known before.
However, to perceive the true potential of a red wine , it is necessary to take certain considerations into account. This is not to summarize the experience in a list of rules to follow, but to ensure that with each sip you are able to discover the universe hidden inside the glass of wine.
Below we share with you a series of six recommendations focused on fulfilling this purpose. Stay with us and learn how to enjoy a red wine .
1.- Keep the wine at the best temperature
There are many factors involved in the construction of the flavor that characterizes a red wine , one of them is temperature, this means that if the wine is too cold or too hot, the levels of perception of acidity, sweetness and alcohol may be altered.
That is why most wineries add temperature recommendations to their bottle labels, within their online description or on an adjacent card. This is important because it prevents changes in the experience; especially during the hot season, we know that it can be tempting to add ice to your wine, however, in addition to altering its temperature, you could dilute the flavor.
The best way to chill wine is to place it in an ice bucket or ice bucket filled with 50% water and 50% ice. Let it sit for approximately 20 minutes or until it reaches the recommended serving temperature on the label.
At El Cielo winery , for example, we recommend that our Sirius 2017 wine be consumed between 18°C and 20°C. This ensures that the balance between alcohol and acidity that characterizes this wine, winner of the silver medal at the Concours Mondial Bruxelles , remains the same. This temperature allows the wine to be very expressive in aromas and the consumption experience to be ideal.
2.- Avoid filling the glass with red wine
Pouring wine into a glass extends the oxygenation process , which allows the release of all kinds of aromas that enrich the experience. This is only possible when the wine has enough space to “breathe,” something that cannot be achieved if the glass is filled to the brim.
Try to pour the wine slowly so that it doesn't fill more than two-thirds of the glass. The extra space will allow you to gently swirl the liquid, smell it and taste each sip at the perfect temperature.
3.- Choose the right red wine glass
One aspect that is sometimes overlooked during wine tasting is the type of glass in which the wine is served. Although it may not seem like it, the correct release of aromas also depends on it, one of the most essential moments to enjoy Mexican wines before even drinking them.
For red wine, it is recommended to use a Bordeaux-style glass , which is characterized by being slightly taller, but with a narrower bowl than the Burgundy glass recommended for serving lighter-bodied red wines.
Another important factor for the tasting experience is the material. When choosing your wine glass, make sure it is made of fine, transparent glass . This will allow you to better appreciate the color and clarity of the wine.
4.- Take the wine glass by the stem
As we mentioned, keeping red wine at an optimal temperature is essential to protect its aroma and flavor ; holding the glass by the stem and not the bowl helps preserve this balance.
By doing this you prevent the heat from your hand from being transmitted from the glass to the liquid. You also prevent stains from appearing if you are pairing your red wine with food.
5.- Accompany the wine with an excellent meal
Tasting red wine on its own is already a gratifying experience, however it can be enriched by accompanying it with a dish specially designed to complement the flavors of the wine .
For example, if you are going to drink a wine with fruity aromas such as currant, raspberry and blackberry, with an excellent balance between alcohol, acidity, body and astringency and with a long aftertaste like Orion wine , it is best to pair your palate with the flavors of stews rich in spices, Mexican food like tacos and aged cheeses.
6.- Investigate its properties
Researching the specific properties and recommendations of the winemaker responsible for designing the wine you are going to taste will strengthen your learning about how to enjoy a red wine.
In the case of racking , for example, that is, transferring the wine from the bottle to a decanter , some professionals do not recommend it for reasons of temperature and oxidation of the wine.
However, this is not a general rule. Certain wines benefit from being racked around 30 minutes before consumption, which is why it is important to pay attention to these details, as well as the advice we mentioned above.
If you want to learn more about the world of wine, such as its benefits, regions, properties and creation processes , only in our blog will you find the information that will allow you to delve into what makes wine a unique and enriching experience.
