Buying wine is always exciting, especially if you are not used to the idea. Any savvy buyer will recall that feeling of exhilaration stemming from not knowing what you should get.
According to experts at Cathay, it is about deciding whether to go with red or white wines for every beginner. In contrast, novice buyers dance around with the differences between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
In addition, true connoisseurs are relishing in interpreting age, body, or something in between. But if you still don’t understand what these means, you might want to narrow it down to the following tips:
1. Look for a Reliable Store
This should be something other than a grocery shop or a chain with 25% off seven or bottle bottles of wine. Rather, it needs to be a shop dedicated to selling wine, spirits, and beer.
Wine stores seem very intimidating. But generally speaking, they are filled with people who love wines and like talking about them.
Employees may have a 20-second conversation about how you want reds to pair steak and turn into rousing recommendations. Visit online shops, and try several bottles of wine to have a sense of customers and brands until you get one that can suit you.
2. Take Note of the Grape Varieties and Regions
Do you remember that wine you drank two weeks ago in a Georg Jensen glass? Was it fruity, dark, bold red wine the whole family raved about?
No, you can’t remember anything. This is because you didn’t take note of it. If you like a particular wine, you need to take note of it, including its name, region, and grape varieties.
Only some of the wines in the same region taste the same. That is because winemakers often use different methods of production. But this will give you a rough idea of what you are likely to enjoy.
Instead of paper and pen, consider using a wine app or smartphone to take notes. And if you are near a supermarket, seek something similar depending on the grape variety and region.
3. Consider the Dinner
If you plan to pair food with wine, there are several principles you need to consider. Fresh, bright, highly acidic wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Albarino, go perfectly well with delicate and clean flavors, including chicken or seafood. But bigger, bolder wines, such as Cabernet or Shiraz, pair well with beefier and richer flavors.
Of course, this doesn’t apply all the time. For instance, a light-bodied Pinot Noir matches with oily fish, such as trout or salmon. Though if you choose to serve like-with-like, know that a sweeter wine goes well with sweet dishes. This is because there is no conflicting and aggressive interaction between flavors.
This nitty-gritty science of food and wine pairing narrows down to how flavor profiles interact on a palate. A wine with high acid or tannin can easily cut through the fat, whereas wine with a high sugar content brings out spiciness in dishes. That explains why Rieslings are a perfect option if you have curry for dinner.
4. Be Familiar with Wine Terminologies
Among the confusing parts about wines is that there are a lot of terminologies you must learn as a wine connoisseur or drinker. In reality, you may enjoy a glass of wine from the perspective of, ‘I love red wines.’
This is fine, but as you go deeper, it becomes more advantageous to be familiar with the basics of describing what you really like. This won’t just allow you to explore more wines you like. It will as well as provide another layer of confidence when ordering wine accessories from shops like Georg Jensen. Some of the terminologies you need to be familiar with include the following:
- Oak
- Acidity
- Tannin
- Body
5. Watch Out for the Alcohol Content
Because there are different kinds of wines out there, it might be difficult to determine what to buy and what not to. But wine experts say that the rule of thumb is to avoid wines with a lot of alcohol content. Most cheap wines have extra alcohol added so as to mask their flavors.
For some wine connoisseurs, alcohol is akin to salt. If you prepare good food, but it gets too salty, you won’t be able to get past the salt. However, at times, all you need is a shitty piece of meat and a pinch of salt to get it out.
What this means is that super alcoholic wines can’t taste like much for a reason. So it is advisable to steer clear of wines with more than 14.5% alcohol.
6. Avoid Big Names
Wines are often compared to music. This is especially true with pretentious wine magazines that like to go on with symphonies of flavors. But as a wine connoisseur, you would think of wines as different from music.
Although you can enjoy the best-selling records, you will always return to those obscure artists with something more interesting to say or seem to directly sing to you.
Well, wines are the same in this manner. It is not likely that big wine brands will turn you on. That is because such brands are designed to appeal to a wider audience.
Unlike bigger brands, wines with less big names are manufactured in vast numbers, with little regard for interest and taste. Always go for independent, low-yielding, or alternative wine brands. They often fight to have their names out. So they produce wines to be bought again and remembered.
7. Read the Label
Pretty fonts, clever names, or eye-catching illustrations may, at times, sway an individual into buying wines that might not be a perfect option. This is especially true when every option seems overwhelming.
But it is vital to consider reading the label instead of just admiring it. Although all these details seem daunting, reading wine bottle labels could be simple if you already know what to look for.
Final Touches!
If there are wine shops near you that you may trust, make the retailers’ day by asking them to put together a list of wines. Then give them wine preferences and budget, and you will end up with a nice wine for your anniversary or birthday.