Okay, it’s no big secret, I’m not a big wine drinker but most of my close friends and family are. Let’s face it, most grown adults enjoy a bottle of wine on a Friday night. In a way, I wish I did too. There’s something so indulgent and lovely about the thought of having a glass of wine to relax and unwind at the end of the week.

However, this means I get very confused by all the different varieties of wine at the supermarkets, especially when I need to buy a bottle as a gift. I usually grab the first bottle of red or white (with a nice looking label, that’s usually on offer) and head over to the check out counter, hoping for the best.

For me the world of wine has always been a bit intimidating. With so many bottles, brands, and endless styles of wine, where do you start?

Here is some information I recently picked up on holiday in Provence – one of the main wine regions of the world.

In very general terms there are four categories of wine – Red, White, Rose and Sparkling. Apparently, there are no real rules when it comes to pairing wine with food or occasions – anything goes it’s all down personal taste. If you (like me) don’t have a preference, make sure you know what the person you’re buying for likes.

1. Red Wine

Red wines are made from blue/ purple coloured grapes and get their deep colour from the extended amount of contact between the juice and the grape skins.

The most famous wines from France, Italy and Australia are red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir or Shiraz grapes. They can have a light body or be fuller-bodied, with a variety of different tastes from dry to sweet, and fairly fruity in flavour to spicy and sometimes even savoury.

I will often buy my husband and mother a bottle of good red wine for their birthday and Christmas, as I know exactly what they like and know that they will appreciate the gesture. In contrast they know to buy me a good bar of chocolate!

2. White Wine

Famous white wine grape varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Riesling.

White wines tend to focus on acidity and the fresh flavours of white grapes. They can be dry or sweet and range from fruity to floral, and spicy to sweet.

3. Rosé Wine (or Blush)

Rose wine is usually made from red wine grapes with just a short exposure of the grape skins to the juice (which is why the colour and flavour is not as deep). These wines are made all over the world and offer a refreshing, chilled alternative to red wine – especially in the summer months.

If I’m honest, I do enjoy the odd glass of chilled Rosé on a warm evening.

4. Sparkling Wine

Champagne and sparkling wines are popular for their bubbly nature and are perfect for any celebration. Made from red and white wine grapes, sparkling wines can be white, rosé, or even red. The bubbles come from a second fermentation that captures the carbon dioxide (or bubbles) under pressure. Sparkling wines range in style from very dry to sweet, and super bubbly to a light fizz.

You can learn more about wines with Tesco’s online Wine Magazine, which includes video content and interactive features to help you grow your knowledge and understanding of the wonderful world of wine. You may also want to join their wine club, if you’re a big fan.

Extra Tip:
Ignore the idea that bottles with screw caps are not good wines. More and more great wine makers are switching away from corks, to avoid ‘corking’ the wine and spoiling its taste.

Is Friday your wine day? What are you best wine tips?

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This is guest post by James Matthews from Just Miniatures, who is an expert in mixing delicious cocktails. As you may already know I’m not big into wine – but cocktails… now that’s a different story! And these three summer cocktails sound absolutely amazing.

There’s nothing more summery than sitting with the sun on your face and a cocktail in your hand. The best cocktails for hot weather are more often than not fruity takes on classic recipes.

Here are three recipes to get you through the summer…

Equipment you’ll need
A Blender
A Shaker
A Strainer
Cocktail glasses

1) The Daiquiri

Supposedly invented by an American mining engineer in Cuba in the midst of the Spanish-American war around 1902. It was one of the favourite drinks of Ernest Hemingway and John F Kenned, and became a widely drunk beverage in the 1940s. Originally made without any fruit, it’s rare to find a cocktail bar that will serve it like this now. Instead you’ll find it created with a range of different fruits, from the ever popular strawberry daiquiri to blueberry or banana.

Mango Daiquiri Recipe

Ingredients:
1 mango
3 parts rum
1 part lime juice
2 tsp sugar

Method:
A beautifully simple cocktail, it’s fruity and gorgeous. Simply combine a chopped up mango, lime juice, sugar and rum in a blender until smooth. Pour over a glass of crushed ice.

For different flavours, simply replace the mango with your desired fruit.

2) The Margarita

The margarita has so many claims to its origins that no one is entirely sure where it came from. Most agree that it was born in the 1930s, but the first known publication of a margarita recipe is in the December 1953 issue of Esquire. It is usually served in a specific margarita glass, which looks like an upside down sombrero.

Apricot Margarita Recipe

Ingredients:
1 part tequila
1 part apricot juice
½ part triple sec liqueur
½ part lime juice
1 lime wedge
Salt/sugar

Method:
Place salt (or you can use sugar if a salt rim isn’t to your liking) in a shallow dish, rub the lime wedge around the rim of your glass, and invert it and place in salt/sugar. The salt/sugar should stick to the rim.
Simply place the tequila, apricot juice, triple sec and lime juice in a shaker and shake well. Pour over ice and garnish with a lime, lemon or orange slice if desired.

The Caipiroka is a variation of Brazil’s national cocktail, the Caipirinha, and is basically the same but instead of cachaça, it contains vodka. For a long time it was unheard of outside of its country of origin, but it has slowly gained popularity in America and Europe.

Watermelon Caipiroska Recipe

Ingredients:
5 parts vodka (or if you want a Caipirinha, use cachaça)
2 parts sugar syrup
8 quarters lime
Watermelon puree
Mint leaves
Crushed ice

Method:
Muddle the lime, mint leaves and sugar with a wooden spoon in a shaker. Add the watermelon puree (add as much as you like depending on your taste), vodka/cachaça and ice and shake. Pour into a tumbler and serve.

All images courtesy of Just Miniatures.

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