Whether you fancy yourself an expert when it comes to wine, or you barely know your way around a cellar, you’re bound to have encountered your fair share of myths and misconceptions. It is always best to dispel these beliefs sooner rather than later. So, here are some common misconceptions:
 
Cook with the same wine you plan on drinking
This is so far from the truth! When you drink wine, you want I to be absolutely perfect. When cooking with wine, it need not have the most well-rounded flavour. Its purpose is only to enhance the flavour of the meal and tenderize the meat. In addition, when drinking wine with your meal, you will not be able to tell the difference between the two wines used since the food’s flavours will alter that of the cooking wine anyway.
 
You shouldn’t mix red and white wine
Mixing your wine does not refer to physically mixing the two together but rather enjoying both white and red wine in the same evening. Many people believe that doing this will leave you feeling rather ill the following day but this would be a symptom of drinking too much and by no means the result of enjoying a bit of red and white.
 
White wine is for fish and red wine is for red meat
Yes, you can enjoy white wine with your fish but there are also many reds that are wonderful when accompanied by a fish-based meal. Red wines are generally preferred for red meats but they can be enjoyed with other foods as well. It all depends on the type of wine, the meal, and the types of condiments used.
 
White wine should be chilled and reds served at room temperature
This one is really up to the drinker. Chilled wines have less aroma and flavour than those served closer to room temperature. Red wines are often served at room temperature but some bottles tend to taste better if they are chilled for a few minutes before popping the cork. As for bubbly, always serve cold!
 
All wines should be stored on their sides
This is true for wines that have a good old-fashioned cork. Storing the wine in this way ensures that the cork does not dry out. However, if your bottles have screwcaps, then there’s no need to store them any way other than right side up.
 
Wines get better with age
This is true for certain wines but not every bottle. The quality of the wine must be the absolute highest and it must be the right kind of wine. The aging ability of a wine depends as much on the winemaker’s abilities as it does on the type of grape itself.
 
More expensive means better quality
Price was once the yardstick for quality in many industries. However, today everything has changed and you will be surprised at just how well a glass of average-priced wine can go down! In some cases, a slightly cheaper bottle can taste better than the overpriced one. That said, there are some horrific cheap bottles on the market that should be avoided at all costs!