164487 369 Food & Drink Wine Choosing a Wine true Sat, 09 May 2009 04:04:16 -0700 /system/videos/1/87/44/16/164487.flv tasting, ordering, buying, trying, drink, drinking, alcohol, guide, restaurant, deciding How To Read a Wine Label http://www.howcast.com/videos/164487-How-To-Read-a-Wine-Label http://www.howcast.com/videos/164487-How-To-Read-a-Wine-Label/edit approved 135 640 360 <object width="425" height="273" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="howcastplayer"><param name="movie" value="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=164487"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=164487" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="273" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" ></embed></object> 15 Dynamic http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/164487/Dynamic_HT_Read_A_Wine_Label_hdstill02_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg 1540 false false false 62635 1 15 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/164487/15.jpg Check out the producer Note the producer – the name of the winemaker or winemaking establishment. Recognized names often represent a dependable standard of quality, but don’t overlook smaller producers, who may be turning out as-yet undiscovered gems.

]]> 62636 2 28 Tip Get to know a local wine merchant, who can suggest lesser known producers and wines based on your tastes.

]]> 62637 3 36 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/164487/36.jpg Know the grapes Check the varieties of grapes that were used and where they came from. Some wines come from just one grape, while others are a blend of several varieties. Make note of the varieties you prefer.

]]> 62638 4 46 Tip In general, Italian, Spanish, and French wines are labeled by designation or region rather than by grape.

]]> 62639 5 54 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/164487/54.jpg &quot;Reserve&quot; judgment Don’t assume wines labeled “reserve” or “special select” are necessarily better. In the U.S., there are no laws regulating the use of these words on labels.

]]> 62640 6 64 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/164487/64.jpg Look for single estates Keep an eye out for single-estate or single-vineyard wines. These wines use grapes from one specific vineyard, rather than blending from several different ones, and often represent a higher quality product.

]]> 62641 7 76 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/164487/76.jpg Consider the vintage Consider the vintage, or year the grapes were harvested. Almost all wine can be drunk within three years after production, but some bottles may peak 10, 20, or 30 years later. When choosing an older wine, read up beforehand on particular vintages.

]]> 62642 8 92 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/164487/92.jpg Check alcohol content Check the alcohol content. Wine ranges from about 8 percent to 16 percent. Wines with higher alcohol content often don’t pair as well with food, because alcohol can create the impression of sweetness, which can overpower other flavors. Fortified wines, like port, and dessert wines contain about 20 percent alcohol.

]]> 62643 9 110 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/164487/110.jpg Look at the importer If it’s a foreign wine, take a look at the back of the bottle for the importer. Some specialize in particular wines and regions, and if your tastes coincide, you may find that certain importers are just as dependable as certain producers.

]]> 62644 10 125 Fact By the year 2015, bottles sealed with corks may be in the minority, replaced by more reliable screw-on caps.

]]> 369 180077 How To Order and Evaluate Wine HowcastGuide 1512 Thu, 07 May 2009 04:04:04 -0700 15 Dynamic ]]> 158 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/77/00/18/180077.flv tasting, ordering, buying, trying, drink, drinking, alcohol, guide, restaurant, deciding Food & Drink Wine Choosing a Wine 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/180077/Dynamic_HT_Order_And_Evaluate_Wine_hdstill04_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/180077-How-To-Order-and-Evaluate-Wine 369 237565 How To Choose a Bottle Of Champagne HowcastGuide 202 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:03:30 -0800 3 Dynamic ]]> 132 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/3/35/74/25/257435.flv choosing,picking,champagne,bottle,best,bubbly,purchasing,buying,new,year's,eve Food & Drink Wine Choosing a Wine 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/237565/Dynamic_HT_Champagne_hdstill10_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/237565-How-To-Choose-a-Bottle-Of-Champagne 368 92 How To Store an Unopened Bottle Of Wine HowcastGuide 940 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:20:20 -0800 7 jenfrank ]]> 92 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/92/92.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, wine, alcohol, beverage, store, unopened, new, sealed, bottle Food & Drink Wine Wine - General 3 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/92/Food.How_to_Store_an_Unopened_Bottle_of_Wine_SD_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/92-How-To-Store-an-Unopened-Bottle-Of-Wine 368 134 How To Decant a Bottle Of Wine HowcastGuide 1225 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:25:49 -0800 12 jenfrank ]]> 102 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/34/01/134.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, wine, decant, pour, alcohol, beverage, container, remove, sediment, breathe Food & Drink Wine Wine - General 5 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/134/Food.How_to_Decant_a_Bottle_of_Wine_SD_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/134-How-To-Decant-a-Bottle-Of-Wine 368 380 How To Pour a Bottle Of Wine HowcastGuide 1886 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:46:51 -0800 10 jenfrank ]]> 107 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/80/03/380.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, wine, alcohol, beverage, pour, waiter, waitress, restaurant Food & Drink Wine Wine - General 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/380/Food.How_to_Pour_a_Bottle_of_Wine_SD_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/380-How-To-Pour-a-Bottle-Of-Wine 368 398 How To Make Traditional Sangria HowcastGuide 2097 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:52:56 -0800 6 Tamara ]]> 123 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/98/03/398.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, traditional, sangria, alcohol, liquor, mixed, drink, cocktail Food & Drink Wine Wine - General 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/398/Food.How_to_Make_Traditional_Sangria_SD_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/398-How-To-Make-Traditional-Sangria 368 1913 How To Open a Bottle Of Wine HowcastGuide 2904 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:50:51 -0800 12 lodgerfilms ]]> 115 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/13/19/1913.flv alcohol, beverage, cork, DIY, Do It Yourself, Essential Skills, Instructional, Learn to, open, remove, serve, take out, Tips, tutorial, uncork, wine Food & Drink Wine Wine - General 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/1913/ppn_lodger_open_wine_bottle_sd_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/1913-How-To-Open-a-Bottle-Of-Wine 368 79046 How To Open a Bottle Of Champagne HowcastGuide 3077 Sun, 28 Dec 2008 06:03:48 -0800 13 chadkali ]]> 98 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/46/90/07/79046.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, drink, drinking, beverage Food & Drink Wine Wine - General 5 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/79046/open_champagne_hd_4_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/79046-How-To-Open-a-Bottle-Of-Champagne 368 160138 How To Use Leftover Wine HowcastGuide 1391 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:06:33 -0700 6 jlamont ]]> 119 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/38/01/16/160138.flv drinking, storing, using, wine, left-over, extra, wasting, cooking, making Food & Drink Wine Wine - General 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/160138/use_leftover_wine_640x360_nobug_h264_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/160138-How-To-Use-Leftover-Wine 370 236744 How Do You How-To With Gary Vaynerchuk: Taste Wine HowcastGuide 1613 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:03:19 -0700 1 Howcast ]]> 121 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/57/55/23/235557.flv Food & Drink Wine Wine Guides 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/236744/taste_wine_hd_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/236744-How-Do-You-HowTo-With-Gary-Vaynerchuk-Taste-Wine 370 236752 How Do You How-To With Gary Vaynerchuk: Store Wine HowcastGuide 421 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:03:19 -0700 2 Howcast ]]> 62 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/64/55/23/235564.flv Food & Drink Wine Wine Guides 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/236752/store_wine_hd_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/236752-How-Do-You-HowTo-With-Gary-Vaynerchuk-Store-Wine 370 236753 How Do You How-To With Gary Vaynerchuk: Open a Wine Bottle HowcastGuide 1238 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:03:19 -0700 6 Howcast ]]> 85 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/65/55/23/235565.flv Food & Drink Wine Wine Guides 4 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/236753/open_wine_bottle_hd_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/236753-How-Do-You-HowTo-With-Gary-Vaynerchuk-Open-a-Wine-Bottle 370 236766 How Do You How-To With Gary Vaynerchuk: Choose Wine As a Gift HowcastGuide 421 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:03:19 -0700 1 Howcast ]]> 52 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/69/55/23/235569.flv Food & Drink Wine Wine Guides 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/236766/choose_wine_as_a_gift_hd_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/236766-How-Do-You-HowTo-With-Gary-Vaynerchuk-Choose-Wine-As-a-Gift 370 236785 How Do You How-To With Gary Vaynerchuk: Find Good, Cheap Wine HowcastGuide 408 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:03:19 -0700 1 Howcast ]]> 73 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/00/56/23/235600.flv Food & Drink Wine Wine Guides 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/236785/find_good_cheap_wines_hd_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/236785-How-Do-You-HowTo-With-Gary-Vaynerchuk-Find-Good-Cheap-Wine 357 148706 How To Make Your Own Soda HowcastGuide 17708 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:47:06 -0800 14 Seaworthy ]]> 134 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/06/87/14/148706.flv making, coke, pop, carbonated, pepsi, beverages, Coca-Cola, coca, cola, homemade Food & Drink Coffee, Tea and Other Drinks General Beverages 8 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/148706/make_soda_hd2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/148706-How-To-Make-Your-Own-Soda