1. What wine is the best?

The best choice for a bottle of wine really depends on what you’re looking for. The best wine is not necessarily the one that is most expensive but the one that you like personally. What food you plan on serving it with also plays a role. And, hey, when I’m having a nice dinner I like to pull out the fancy wine glasses. However, when I’m enjoying it alone, I prefer to keep in in a cooling tumbler or cup and take my time.

2. What is the best time to drink this bottle?

Most wines are ready to drink as soon as you buy them. The exception would be with some fine wines from particularly well-known vintages. These should be stored in cool, dry conditions for the appropriate amount of time.

3. How much fat is in wine?

The short answer is – none! Wine is mostly made up of water and acids, so it is not fattening at all. The standard serving size of a typical white wine contains about 104 calories, and a typical red wine is 110. Sweeter wines may contain a few more calories than dry wines.

4. What type of grape is my wine made from?

Many, if not most wines are made from a combination of grapes. Wines from the Americas are more often made from one single type of grape, and you can find out which one on the back of the bottle. European wines are less likely to designate the type of grape but will list the place where the grapes were grown.

5. Which vintages are the best?

At the average supermarket or wine shop, there is normally only one vintage available for each wine. This is called the current vintage. You may see some wines, such as Chianti Classico, from multiple years, but this is usually because they have been aged for different lengths of time.

6. Which wines are sulfite-free?

All wines contain some sulfites. This is because the winemaking process involves the addition of sulfur dioxide, and sulfites are a natural byproduct. Some wines contain very little sulfites and are nearly undetectable. Dry red wines usually have the least sulfites.

7. What makes a wine organic?

An “organic wine” is different from wine that is grown from organically grown grapes. Organic wine can’t be made with any added chemicals, and since most winemakers use sulfur dioxide during the winemaking process, this makes true “organic wines” less common.

8. What makes someone a wine expert?

Someone who has extensive knowledge about all the different aspects of wine, including where they come from and how to taste them, can be considered a wine expert. People who have earned the title “Master Sommelier” or the prestigious “Master of Wine” take courses and pass examinations all about wine.

9. When should I drink my aging wine?

This depends on the wine and the conditions in which you’re storing it. Some wines have very specific storage conditions and can be even more fragile as they age. You should check with the seller, winemaker, or other sources to make sure you enjoy your wine at its best.

10. How do I handle my old wines?

Old wines can be temperamental and should be handled with care. If you have to move your wine any great distance, make sure that it has time to sit for a few hours before serving. Red wines tend to accumulate sediment, so be sure to decant those before drinking.