Jackson Free Press

When it comes to wine, a little knowledge goes a long way. You can get a nice white for under $10, but stick to $15 an up for reds. Here are some other wine basics to get you started:

Red or white?
When deciding between white or red wine to pair with food, think about flavors and textures; the more intense, savory, dense or spicy the food, the darker the wine. However, if you're looking for a wine to drink on its own or to pair with light meals, Sauvignon Blanc is an easy choice. Because we're more likely to eat heavy and savory foods around the holidays, reds are more prevalent, and a Pinot Noir goes well with a majority of "winter" foods.

How cold?
Thoroughly chill white wines before drinking, but not reds. For optimal serving temperature, take a white out of the fridge 20 minutes before serving to let it warm a tad. Try putting a red in the fridge for 20 minutes to chill it just a bit before opening the bottle, and then let it sit 10 minutes to aerate before serving.

Which glass?
The right wine glass really can make a difference, which is why there are about as many wine glass shapes as there are wines. If you're on a budget, one general-purpose wine glass will usually suffice. Choose a clear, medium-sized glass with the rim tapered in from the base. The trendy thing today is a stem-less glass, but because your hands will warm the wine if you hold it, many people prefer a glass with a stem.

How much?
Fill a glass a third to no more than half full. If you're serving wine with a meal, know that an average wine bottle will hold roughly three to four glasses each. Depending on the extravagance of the meal, each diner will probably drink two to four glasses of wine. A good rule of thumb is to buy two bottles for every three diners.

Special wines.
Talk to your wine merchant about brands and cost. Drink moderate amounts of fortified wines like sherry and port, and distilled wines like brandy and cognac; they're usually much higher in alcohol content than regular wines. Enhance the flavor and your enjoyment of these specialty wines with special glassware as your budget allows.