Tips to enhance your wine tasting and investing experience
Enjoying Wine Tips on serving, tasting and entertaining
Serving Tips Choose the right temperature Cooler (45-50 F) for white wines Warmer (50-65 F) for red wines Pour wine into a decanter to let it breathe Don t overfill Use the proper wine glass
How to Choose the Right Glass White Wines: Shaped more like a tulip Red Wines: Rounder with a larger bowl Sparkling Wines: Taller and thinner
Make the Most of Your Wine Tasting Experience A 4-Step Tasting Guide 1. Look at the color and clarity 2. Smell the wine 3. Savor the taste 4. Record your observations Record Look Taste Smell
Taking Notes Aroma Is it weak, nice, complex, brawny, powerful, fruity, spicy, floral, woody, veggie or chemical? Taste Factors to consider: sweetness, fruitiness, acidity or tartness, tannin and aftertaste
Entertaining with Wine How to Pair Wine with Food Light wines better with chicken or seafood Heavy wines complement beef or steak If serving different wines, follow these principles: Light before heavy Dry before sweet Lower alcohol before high
Pairing Wine with Food Classic Combinations Beef or steak with Red Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel Grilled chicken with Beaujolais or Merlot Lobster with Chardonnay Lamb with Red Bordeaux, Pinot Noir or Chianti Salmon with Pinot Noir Gumbo or other spicy dishes with Zinfandel or Gewurztraminer Oysters with Chablis Chocolate with Cabernet Sauvignon
Investing with Confidence 3 strategies to help you stay calm and succeed in today s changing market
Think Long-Term: Like Wine, Investing Can Improve with Age! Stocks have generated positive returns in every 15-year period since 1926 1-year period 5-year period 10-year period 15-year period 28% 15% 5% 0% 72% 85% 95% 100% % of Periods with Gain % of Periods with Loss Source: Standard & Poor s. This table shows the percentage of positive versus negative returns for the S&P 500 Index over 1-, 5-, 10-, and 15-year holding periods from 1926 through 2011. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 common stocks, which are representative of the U.S. stock market. The data assumes reinvestment of income and does not account for taxes or transaction costs. Indices are unmanaged. An investment cannot be made directly in an index. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Let Your Investments Breathe Being impatient and jumping in and out of the markets may reduce your returns If you were fully invested for the entire period 7.81% If you missed the market s 10 best days The cost of missing the best days of the equity market from 1992-2011 4.14% If you missed the market s 20 best days 1.70% If you missed the market s 30 best days If you missed the market s 40 best days -0.39% -2.31% Source: Wellington Management Company, 2012. This chart is for illustrative purposes only. It is based on the S&P 500 Index and is not intended to be indicative of the performance of any specific investment. Indices are unmanaged. An investment cannot be made directly in an index. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Don t Chase Performance Like wine, it s difficult to pick the top-rated investment every year! Top-Rated Wines from 1991-2010 This vintage chart should be regarded as a very general overall rating slanted in favor of what the finest producers were capable of producing in a particular viticultural region. Such charts are filled with exceptions to the rule; for example, astonishingly good wines from skillful vintners in years rated mediocre, and thin, diluted wines from incompetent producers in great years. Chart prepared by SunAmerica using select information from The Wine Advocate s Vintage Guide 1970-2011 (Date: 12/31/11). Source: www.erobertparker.com.
Diversify to Help Generate More Consistent Returns Performance of Various Asset Classes from 1992-2011 PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT A GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS. The historical performance data for each index is provided to illustrate market trends. Indices are unmanaged and do not represent the performance of any specific fund or investment product. You cannot invest directly in the indices. Indices do not include expenses, fees, or sales charges that are typically associated with investments and would lower performance results. Equity investments are subject to market risk. Stocks with lower market capitalization generally involve greater risks. An investment in foreign securities may be subject to different and additional risks associated with, but not limited to: foreign currencies, securities regulation, investment disclosure, commissions, accounting, taxes, political or social instability, war, or expropriation. Bonds and bond funds are subject to interest rate risks. If held to maturity, bonds can provide a fixed rate of return and a fixed principal value, while bond funds will fluctuate in value and may be worth more or less than your original investment when redeemed. High yield bonds are subject to greater price swings than higher-rated bonds and payment of interest and principal is not assured. Source: Wilshire Compass, 2012.
Consider the Potential Impact of Diversification on Your Portfolio Diversification vs. Chasing Performance Value of $10,000 Invested Annually (1992-2011) Diversified Portfolio Previous Year s Best Asset Class $397,613 $361,766 A difference of more than $35,000! Source: Wilshire Compass, 2012. The Diversified Portfolio is invested equally in the eight asset classes shown in the previous slide. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against market loss. There is no assurance a diversified portfolio will outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
These proven investment strategies may help you build the financial security you need to really enjoy the pleasures of wine tasting!
Investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Please ask me about the risks associated with your current investments and any investments that may be recommended in the future. Securities offered through Valic Financial Advisors. M5170CE1 (6/12)