Buying Wine: Top Tips for Selecting a Good Wine
This article was written as a guest post for a subscription service company. Please note all mentions of and links to their website have been removed.
Did you know there are over 10,000 wine grape varieties in the world? While only a couple dozen are popular, this still leaves you with a lot of different options when it comes to buying wine.
When you add in the fact that different grape varieties can be made into different styles, the possibilities are almost endless.
If you’re wondering how to choose wine, look no further. We’ve got a wine buyers guide here that will help you select a good wine.
Know the Basics
Each wine has different characteristics that will affect its taste and what it pairs well with.
It’s important to keep in mind that each of these characteristics does not necessarily make a wine good or bad. It may just make a difference to your personal taste.
Sweetness
One of the most striking differences is the sweetness of a wine. You may see sweet, semi-sweet, or dry on a label.
Sweet wines will have a sweet taste, as you probably assumed. However, dry wines will not be sweet at all.
Tannins
Tannins are a compound found in the skin of grapes. They tend to dry your mouth out. If a wine has more tannins in it, you’ll also feel like they are more bitter.
Many red wines have a dry and bitter finish due to their additional tannins.
Body
You may also have a preference for the body of your wine or how heavy or light the wine feels.
Red wines tend to have a fuller body than white wines, while warm region grapes also tend to produce full-bodied wine.
Consider Your Food
Certain foods tend to go better with certain wines. Matching wine with your food can give you an overall better experience.
In general, lighter dishes such as chicken or fish go better with white wines. Heavier meals like beef or lamb pair well with red wines.
If your meal is acidic, such as those with citrus or fish, it’s best to choose an acidic wine. Otherwise, the wine will be overpowered by the acidity.
A sweet and salty pairing holds true for food and wine. If you’re having a salty dish, choose a sweet wine, which will cut the saltiness while highlighting the sweetness.
If you’re having a regional dish, try pairing it with a regional wine. Very often, foods and wines that come from the same area often go well together.
Try Many Different Wines
Since wine preferences are personal, trying a variety of wines can help you figure out what suits your taste. Signing up for an affordable wine subscription can be a great way to expose yourself to a variety of options.
Keep a list of wines you try and make notes. Over time, you’ll figure out what you like best.
When you’re selecting wine, don’t feel limited by age, price, or the style of bottle. For example, many people believe older wines are always better. But this isn’t true, and many wines aren’t even made to be aged.
In the same vein, try a cheaper wine or one with a screw-off cap. These things don’t necessarily correlate with the quality of the wine. If a wine has the characteristics you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to try it.
Follow These Tips for Buying Wine
The process of buying wine can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. But if you try different options and look for characteristics you prefer, you’ll select a good wine that you love.
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