Tips

Welcome to our newest adventure…this page is dedicated to editing out all wine information you don’t need and furnishing all that you have always wanted but were afraid to ask!

Wine Gadgets

We know new technology is fun, but why re-invent the wheel? All you need is a double-hinged waiter corkscrew. We’ve tried everything from the automatic to the downright ridiculous and have found that the most affordable is the most effective. Find this handy gadget at www.amazon.com/kitchen or  www.beveragefactory.com. You could also try to steal one from your neighborhood bartender, but we wouldn’t suggest it unless you leave a HUGE tip.

Glassware

This has come up for serious debate and really depends on who you talk to. A perfect illustration is an experience a couple of our colleagues had when going out to a restaurant heavy on the sweet breads and the somewhat intimidating wine list. One ordered the top shelf Oregon Pinot Noir by the glass and the other the more affordable Pinot Noir of the same region but with slightly less accolades. Both arrived in different glasses. The highly esteemed arrived in the classic Pinot glass that can hold a whole bottle (we’ve tested this) and the other in the more anonymous but standard restaurant wine glass. On first sip there was absolutely no difference at all, but as time went on, said colleagues were convinced the more expensive Pinot was worth every penny. The moral of the story is this…if your drinking a Premier Cru, opt for the expensive stemware, but if not, a jelly jar is just as appropriate.

Ordering Wine

Nothing takes away from a luxurious experience dining out than the somewhat stressful feeling of looking like an idiot when ordering from the wine list. “How do I pronounce this?” or “Look how many choices of reds…I’m overwhelmed!” or even “I’d love something different, but what’s better than my beloved California Chardonnay?”. These all might be questions crossing your mind. A good rule of thumb is to know that all of these questions are completely appropriate to ask you server/Sommelier. “What do you recommend?” will not offend anyone…it’s the pretentious know-it-all that everyone rolls their eyes at.

Buying Wine

For us folks at Fruit Forward, this is the end all be all experience. We live for it, but when it came time to introduce information to others, we had a heck of a time pairing down to the essentials. “Mention Barberas!” “They must know about the Cotes de Or!” “Tutorial on Chilean winemakers!” were all shouted from the rooftops. All good stuff guys, but we’re sticking to the essentials, right? A few key rules of thumb are these:

Don’t get stuck in a rut. You’re doing a disservice to your taste buds and stunting your growth and education in the world of wine. There is just too much good stuff out there! Next time you’re buying a bottle of wine, opt for a Carmeniere vs. the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Taste, Taste, Taste…this is by far the best way to learn about wine, and let’s face it, it’s pretty darn fun. Look for local wine shops that host tastings, order wine flights if they are on the menu, host a tasting at your home (if you’re a Fruit Forward member, you already have two wines furnished with tasting notes and your work is half done).

Fads are fun, but shouldn’t rule your life. Right now, we can’t go anywhere without hearing about Prosecco and Prosecco cocktails. We LOVE Prosecco, but a Brut Cava is extremely delicious and somewhat affordable as well. Our beloved Pinot Noir here in Oregon has reached a world wine cult status, but Oregon winemakers are experimenting with other varietals as well, and let us tell you, these wines are extremely delicious and half the price.