The popularity of wine has never been greater. It is no longer an activity for the elite, but rather something all of us can enjoy. The ideas presented here can set you on a path to enhance your existing knowledge. These tips are meant for wine newbies and experts.

Wine should be stored in a dark, cool location. One of the best places to help your wine remain fresh if you do not have a wine cellar is in a closet in your basement. Store your bottles on their side away from any light sources to help it remain fresh.

In terms of trying wines, have faith in your own tastes. Try new types of wine whenever you have the chance, and ask about wines your really enjoy. You will just end up wasting funds on a wine that you are unlikely to enjoy.

When buying wine as a gift, consider pairing it with food of some sort. A nice basket containing some chocolate and wine or fine cheese and wine makes a wonderful gift. It gives the recipient some meal ideas, and can provide for a wonderful atmosphere at a festive event.

One of the fastest ways that you can chill a bottle of wine is to place it into a container that is filled with water and ice. Gently lower the bottle into this container and you will be able to chill it to drinking standards within 30 minutes or so.

If you have a cellar or even just a rack where you can store wine, do not fill the space completely with the wines that you like right now. Your tastes are bound to change over time. You don't want to be stuck with many cases of a brand you no longer drink.

If you are in the market for champagne for a wedding or other festive event, consider a sparkling wine instead. Sparkling wines are typically from California, and they taste similar to a Champagne. They are almost always less expensive, making it easier to afford a large quantity for big events.

If you are planning to cook with wine, examine your recipe closely. If it calls for dry white wine, this means that the recipe will not work well with a wine that is sweet. Look for a wine that states that it is dry, and you will avoid ruining a potentially fantastic dish.

If you often find yourself stumped when you visit the wine store, consider purchasing an app for your smart phone. These apps are generally inexpensive, and they can provide valuable information such as reviews of various wines or pairing ideas for certain dishes. They are very user friendly, and you will always have the information you need on hand once you purchase your app.

Take notes on any wine you try. if you are really getting into wines, you'll be tasting dozens of them over the course of the year, easily. It can be tough to keep track of what your impressions are on certain bottles, especially if they shared many similarities with only subtle differences. Making notes will help keep you on track.

Have an idea of how much you want to spend on your wine in mind before you enter the store. A wine store can be a very confusing space with lots of shelves filled with various varieties. By having a price point in mind before you shop, you can narrow down what you are looking for and walk out of the store without spending too much.

If you are not too familiar with wine, make sure to shop at a wine store. While many grocery stores and even some convenient stores carry wine, they do not have the staff on hand who really understand wine. If you shop with professionals, you will have a better chance of finding the wine you want and gaining valuable information in the process.

If you're new to wine tasting, the following tips will most definitely help you out. Wine is the best hobby as it entails learning about history, tasting delicious things and simply relaxing! The stereotypes of a wine drinker has transformed over the years so that anyone who has the desire can enjoy a delicious glass of wine.