You are in a wine store and you want to get a bottle of wine for dinner or maybe for friends that you’d be hosting later. You are staring at the wide array of wine bottles and suddenly it feels like complex math. You just don’t know what the answer is. So now you’re confused, they’re so many bottles to select from.
Which one is good? Which one is bad? Which one is the best? Myriads of questions are swimming around your head and you need to make a decision. After walking from one end of the aisle to another you give up and serve beer or soda to your friends.
If the above scenario describes something that you can relate to, you’re in luck. You can now definitely get ready and grab those wine glasses, including that wine opener you've been keeping for a while. This article would give you the basic knowledge you need to pick out your own wine so that the next time you’re in a wine aisle, you won’t panic.
Things to Consider When Picking Wine
Variety
There are a lot of varieties of wine. There’s red, white, dessert, sparkling, and rose wine. Tasting all of them, it is easy for you to tell them apart. It’s easy to tell if you prefer white to red or sparkling to rose. But can’t tell apart what white wine in particular you prefer? They look the same but they certainly don’t taste the same.
Wine tasting is relative. What you may consider great may not be so great to others and since our taste constantly changes and matures over the years, so does our wine preference. Only you can tell the type of wine you prefer. Go on a wine tasting spree to find out what you like.
Region
The region that grows the grapes used in making wine also affects the taste. Check the region of the bottle to identify where it comes from. You may want to do a little research on what country grows the best grapes and in what climate the grapes would thrive. This would give you the information you need on what country’s grapes to buy.
Price
As a beginner, the price of wine can be astonishing! People pay good money to secure a good bottle of wine. That’s because they know that they’re getting their money’s worth. Getting cheap wine from the grocery store may not be a great idea when it comes to buying wine. You may want to start out with a small boutique winery close to your area and work within the limit of your budget.
Food
Your choice of food shouldn’t make or break your decision. But it is always a great idea to match your wine with your food for maximum experience. It doesn’t have to be anything grand. You just have to follow this ancient tip; match white wine with light meals such as chicken and red wines with heavier food that contain red meat. This tip does not always work but as a beginner, it is a good place to start.
Characteristics of Wine
Tannin
These are phenolic compounds contained in the skin of grapes. It is responsible for the slightly bitter taste found in most red wines.
Sweetness
This refers to the taste of the wine. It is written on the labels of wines to indicate it’s sweet, slightly sweet, or dry (not sweet at all).
Acidity
Wine with high acidity would have a tart taste and one with a low acid content would taste fuller and richer.
Body
The “body” of a wine refers to how full it feels in the mouth. Wines grown in warmer climates have fuller bodies than wines grown in cooler climates.
Alcohol
Wines with high alcohol content would warm your mouth and the back of your throat. The content of alcohol contained in each bottle of wine is always written on the bottle.
What are the Types of Wine?
Red Wine
Red wines are gotten from the flesh, seeds, and stems of fermented black grapes. The red wine is high in tannin and has a dry slightly bitter taste. The darker the wine, the more tannin it contains.
Beginner's Pick: Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel (occasionally called Primitivo), Chianti, and Shiraz (also known as Syrah).
White Wine
The white wine is gotten from fermented white and black grapes. The skins of the black grapes are removed and only the grape juice is used. The white wine is acidic and has little tannin. It has a crisp tart flavor. The flavor comes to life when it is chilled.
Beginner's pick: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling.
Dessert Wine
They are also called pudding wine and are incredibly sweet. It comes from extra sweet grapes and for it to retain its taste, fermentation is stopped before the yeast converts all the sugar into alcohol.
Beginner’s pick: Ice wine, Moscato, and Port.
Rose wine
Rose wine has a light pink color. The wine is made from fermented red grapes but only for a short time, unlike the red wine. It is low in tannin and has a light sweet flavor.
Beginner’s pick: Cabernet Sauvignon rose style and Grenache rose style.
Sparkling Wine
These are bubbly carbonated wines and they are gotten from black and white grapes. This wine is often used for celebrations.
Beginner’s pick: Champagne, Prosecco, and Cava.
Wine Coolers
This is an alcoholic beverage made with wine and fruit juice that contains low sugar content. It is often mixed with carbonated beverages and sugar. It can be gotten from any grocery store, but these are considered a separate drink altogether.
