The 7 best tips for enjoying good red wine to perfection
For many people, a good glass of red wine is often synonymous with finishing work, getting together with good friends, simply having a good time.
Many dishes can be complemented with a good red wine. Because eating and drinking simply belong together, don't they? Chianti Classico is particularly suitable for eating, because the Sangiovese grape variety
But what should you pay attention to in order to enjoy your glass of red wine properly? You can find my advice here:
Wine after transportation
If you have bought the wine online, for example, or possibly driven it home from Tuscany yourself, then make sure that you leave the wine to "rest" for a little while after it has arrived. The Italians like to say "Il vino é stressato", yes, it is stressed. Transportation stress. Letting it rest for a week before you open the bottle makes perfect sense.
"Drinking at room temperature" myth
Contrary to popular belief, you should chill the wine slightly and not drink it at room temperature. The ideal drinking temperature is between 16 and 18 degrees. This is because if the wine is too warm in the glass, the alcohol will evaporate quite quickly, preventing the fruit and spice aromas from presenting themselves to you. It is therefore better to drink the wine a little cooler, for example by placing it in the fridge for an hour.
Which glass for good red wine?
Use a glass that is not too large, especially for Chianti Classico. I like to give the tip of starting with a white wine glass. If you have several types of glass available, simply compare the same wine in different glasses. I promise you will be amazed at how much difference you will feel and taste. A lot depends on the shape and capacity of the glass. For me, there is no right or wrong glass, it should simply taste good to you. Try it out, the journey is the reward!
Red wine does not breathe
It is often said that "red wine must breathe". Well, it depends on how old the wine is. After all, oxygenation simulates the ageing process, so to speak - but at a faster pace. Personally, I always recommend tasting the wine immediately after opening the bottle and then deciding what you think the wine should be like. Should it taste a little rounder? You can leave the opened bottle to stand for a while, decant it into a carafe or simply use a fairly large glass. Be aware, however, that this can have the opposite effect on wines that have already matured. You can also "destroy" the wine.
Food & drink
In my opinion, Sangiovese, the grape variety that makes up the majority of Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva and Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, is a wonderful accompaniment to many types of food. Meat, cheese and also many vegetarian dishes go perfectly with Sangiovese wines. Wine and food simply belong together, at least in Italian wine culture.
Stay cool
In the unlikely event that a residue remains in the bottle, it is a good idea to press the cork back onto the bottle. Afterwards, it is best to put the bottle in the fridge for storage. This prevents the remaining wine in the bottle from oxidizing too quickly, i.e. maturing further. This way, you can ensure that you will still find your good red wine in the glass the next day. Of course, remember to take the bottle out of the fridge in good time so that it can warm up a little.
Storing good red wine
Once you have hopefully bought a few more bottles, make sure that the bottles are stored in a dark and cool place, preferably lying down. Dark and cool, because otherwise the oxidation process will be stimulated too quickly, lying flat so that the wine is always in contact with the cork and thus a slow, deliberate maturing process can take place. The more stable the temperature is in the place where you store your wine, the better. This is because one of the biggest enemies of the ageing process is excessive temperature fluctuations.
You can also find a wide variety of good red wines here in my online store.
Viva il Chianti Classico!