Ben's Six Tips for Summer Sips

Selecting, storing and savouring wine this summer is a matter of following six simple steps advises Heartland Wines chief winemaker Ben Glaetzer.

Ben, 25, a nominee for the prestigious Young Winemaker of the Year award, is an accomplished winemaker and respected international wine judge. He is a key figure behind the export success of Heartland Wines, which produces wines that are now sold in the US, UK, Europe, New Zealand and Asia as well as throughout Australia.

"Many people like to experiment with buying wines, but following a few simple rules can dramatically improve the chances of your risk paying off," says Ben.

Ben's six steps for wine selection success are:

1. Decide why you want the wine

Buying wine for long-term storage is quite a different matter from selecting it for immediate consumption.  Choose the right wine for the purpose and save cost and disappointment.  "Look for winery recommendations as well as 'cellar potential' icons in most bottle shops," Ben suggests.

2. Try before you buy

Australians are fortunate because they have a lot of opportunities to try wine before they buy a bottle or a case. Try before you buy opportunities include the cellar door, in store tastings or when dining. "An important tip is to keep comparative notes about which wines you liked most and why," said Ben. "These should include the label, grape variety and vintage year, so that you remember your preferences over the long haul."

3. Educate your palate

You can learn about wine through a wine tasting course at WEA or touring the National Wine Centre. "Even more enjoyable and beneficial is to gather a group of interested friends and each host themed tastings/dinners once every couple of weeks," says Ben.

For instance the best way to learn the character of true shiraz is to buy six or seven bottles, each from a different Aussie region, and a couple from Hermitage.  Try them side by side pre-dinner while taking notes and then try them again with food over dinner while enjoying the intermingling of flavours. This will allow both analysis of the wine as well as enjoyment.

4. Cheaper by the dozen

Often you will find it is cheaper to buy wine by the case than by the individual bottle - some resellers are now offering discounted prices by the six-pack. "As well as lower cost, this approach offers the advantage of allowing you to 'explore' the wine as it evolves," says Ben. "By opening one bottle a year for six years, you learn how it develops over time. This not only provides the pleasure of the wine, but the expectation of looking forward to it."

5. Keep it cool

Whether you intend to keep it for years or drink it in a few days, ensure you store your wine in a cool place. Wine is a delicate creation, so a lot of changing temperatures - a commonplace occurrence with our Australian summers - can take the edge off a lovely wine. - "Somewhere low and dark is best, even if it is just the bottom of the broom closet," suggests Ben. "Just make sure there's no hot water system in the same closet."

6. Drink it at the right temperature.

Too many people over chill their white wines and over warm their reds. Burying a white at the back of your freezer for an hour can make it so cold that your taste buds miss the delicate flavours that a chilled  - rather than iced - wine can offer. "Reds are at their best at room temperature," says Ben. "So keep reds in a cool location prior to drinking so they don't warm up too quickly."