Wine, oh wine… absolutely sublime when it is good, and completely nasty when it isn’t. For the uninformed, casual wine drinker, buying a bottle of cheap wine is like playing russian roulette – you make a guess based on grape varietal and country, and you pray it’s a hit, not a miss. 

It’s not so much about price – there are some amazing wines that are surprisingly affordable, and some terrible ones not at all worth its salt – but rather, it’s about impression. There’s a reason wine is the drink of the gods, and when you’re enjoying a glass, you want to feel divine, not slapped in the face with the stench of sulphur. 

But if that’s the bottle you regrettably put your money on, and want to try your best to enjoy it – or worse, need a quick fix for a dinner party you’re hosting – here are some tips we hope may help you elevate its flavour. 


Hack No. 1 – No Fuss, Extra Fast Decanting

 

Why Decant Wine

A newly purchased bottle of wine may have been stashed inside a wine crate for months. In the absence of oxygen while bottled, sulphur compounds that smell like rotten eggs and burnt rubber may be produced. Which is why you’ll first want to try decanting the wine.

Decanting wine allows oxygen to enter. Not only does this help the odour of sulphur to dissipate, it also softens the tannins, and allows the flavours and aromas that were sitting in the bottle to expand and breathe. 

 

How To Decant Wine

Pour the wine into a decanter or large jar at a steady pace to prevent sediments from pouring out (you’ll want to leave the sediments in the wine bottle). Leave it to breathe for several hours. 

 

How To Decant Wine (Extra Fast)

But what if you don’t have several hours? Simply pour the wine into a blender (without sediments!), and whizz it around for 30 seconds. Alternatively, whisk by hand for several minutes – this cleans up easier too! 

 

Hack No. 2 – A Boost of Flavour

Depending on how the wine is unbalanced, you might want to consider adding some citrus or even salt! 

If the goal is to brighten flat wine and balance its acidity, a simple squeeze of lemon will do the trick. Lime works as well, but because it has less citric acid, you may need more of it to be effective. Let the wine sit for a couple minutes, and you’re done! 

If the goal is to balance out uneven flavours or make it more savoury, simply add a pinch of salt. You get better tasting wine, and you won’t feel the pinch! 

 

Hack No. 3 – Chill (It) Out 

If you have bad wine, throw away the notion that white wine must be served chilled, and red wine, cool. Bad wine must be served cold. Ice cold. (But don’t go putting ice in wine – watering it down doesn’t work.) 

Chill it down as much as possible before freezing point. Turning it into ice only serves to concentrate its flavour – think popsicles – and with that flat, shabby wine? No, thank you. 

Unfortunately, this only works for overly aggressive wine, and not wine that’s much too tannic, or has a sickly stench. 

 

Yummy Wines Under $20

If you’ve tried all those hacks and your wine remains unpalatable, perhaps it’s time to cut that sinking ship loose. But don’t fret – here are three bottles of wine under $20 that could easily taste like an expensive vintage. 

For a big, juicy red, try the Rawsons Retreat Cabernet Sauvignon. With Cabernet Sauvignon grapes at the forefront, you’ll find a well-structured wine with complex notes of ripe blackcurrant and raspberry, tobacco, oak, and a touch of black pepper. Bright and fruity at first sip that fades into a long, velvety finish, this affordable bottle is perfect for any occasion.

For a soft and balanced white, why not try the Concha Y Toro Reservado Chardonnay? Enjoy prominent notes of pineapple and peaches in this Chilean wine before its refreshing honey and lemon-lime finish takes over. If you want an easy-drinking wine, look no further! 

Now, we can’t leave out some bubbly, can we? With medium acidity and dryness, as well as notes of toast and honey, the Cinzano Prosecco is an absolute classic. Enjoy a whiff of white floral and citrus on the nose while flavours of golden apple, pear, and melon round off your palate. 

 

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