Choosing The Right Wine
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Choosing The Right Wine
Let’s ask ourselves this first, “Why in the world is wine so confusing and complicated and why does selecting wine intimidate us?”
When you visit a liquor store or a restaurant, it’s absolutely overwhelming and intimidating by the sheer variety and the zillion number of selections available or offered. First, there’s the type of wines, then the brands, then the country from which they come, their labels and of course the prices that seem just infinite. One just cannot decide which wine to go for. Then you have to think which wines would go best with what foods? And so on…..
So is it any wonder we’re so intimidated by wine?
Well, let me tell you folks this, it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. Really.
Well, the most important rule is : “DRINK WHAT YOU LIKE”. You know what you would enjoy drinking as you have the taste! After all, it’s all about the enjoyment! Most of all, adhering to strict wine rules just ruins the pleasure of choosing and enjoying wines. So folks, trust your own sense of taste as you only know what you like.
However, there are a few things that you can consider, if you wish, when choosing the right vino.
TYPES OF WINES
There are different types of wines out there based upon what grapes they are made from and sometimes by the process in which they are made.
* Red Wines : These wines are made from dark colored skinned grapes. The grapeskin gives the red wine its rich deep color which may range anywhere from dark red to garnet or almost black, light red, ruby red, deep violet, maroon and so on. Red wine can range from sweet to dry, medium to heavy, light to full-bodied. The flavor qualities in red wine usually come from luscious berries, plum, cherries, currants, fig, cinnamon, cloves, raisins, smoke, toast, even vanilla sometimes. The best serving temperature for red wines is between 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Red wines pair well with rich foods like red meats, heavy pasta dishes, etc.
* White Wines : These wines are made from green or light skinned grapes. Sometimes these wines are also made from only the juice of dark skinned grapes. The grapeskin is removed prior to processing. Due to minimal contact with the skin, these wines are usually light colored. The color can be pale yellow, golden, or straw-yellow. White wines are usually light and crisp. These wines can be quite refreshing. The flavor characteristics come from citrus, pear, melons, apple, pineapple, peaches, oak, honey, rose, lychee nut with a delicate floral undertone. White wines can range from dry to sweet. These wines go best with light foods such as fish, chicken, light fragrant salads, light-medium sauces, mild-flavored cheeses, salty or sweet foods.
* Table Wines : As the name suggests, these wines are usually served during meals. These wines can be found on almost every dinner table around the world. Tables wines can be red, white or rose (pink wines). These wines have low alcohol content, usually under 14%. Table wines are light, acidic with crisp flavor qualities.
* Blush Wines : Also known as Rose Wines, these wines are made from leaving the skins on dark grapes just so the wine is tinted and then removing them. This process gives the wine it’s light pink to pale orange color. Hence, the name ‘Rose Wine’. These wines are quite refreshing and are best served chilled. A rose wine is a medium-bodied, easy drinking wine that is just fun to drink on a hot summer day or evening. It has a light, crisp and acidic flavors. A Blush wine features a delicious fruit flavor such as strawberries and cherries and is enhanced by its floral bouquet. It pairs well with almost all foods, but mostly seafood, poultry and spicy dishes. Rose wines are best enjoyed young.
* Sparkling Wines : These bubbly wines can be white, rose, dry, sweet, rich. Sparkling wines are usually associated with celebrations and festivities. These wines are made by fermenting twice, first in an open container to allow carbon dioxide to escape into the air. Then it is fermented a second time in a sealed container so that the gas remains in the wine, hence the bubbles. The best example of sparkling wine is Champagne. Champagne is sparkling wine, but sparkling wine is not necessarily Champagne. However, true Champagne comes from a French District, Champagne and hence the name “Champagne”. Sparkling wines are more delicate in flavor along with being light, crisp and refreshing and are usually low in alcohol. These are best served chilled. Sparkling wines go with almost all foods.
* Dessert Wines : As the name suggests, a dessert wine is like a dessert. Sweet and rich. These wines taste great on their own or pair well with different kinds of desserts that are not sweeter than the wine itself.
* Fortified Wines : These wines are made by adding a spirit, usually Brandy to a table wine. This results in a wine with a higher level of alcohol, between 17% and 21%. Fortified wine has a higher sugar content. These wines can range from dry to sweet. If Brandy is added after the fermentation process, the result is a dry wine. If it’s added before fermentation, the result is a sweet wine with a high sugar content. Perfect examples of fortified wines are Port, Sherry, Marsala and Madeira.
* Fruit Wines : These wines are made from fruits other than grapes. A fruit wine can be made from Strawberries, pears, apples. Of course, the flavor qualities are more fruity, light and more towards sweet side. These wines are nice, light, crisp and refreshing. Fruit wines usually go with almost all foods and can be enjoyed just on their own.
PREFERENCE
When choosing a good wine, considering your style, palette and your preference also guides you in the right direction. You only know what you like and would enjoy. Depending on your taste and preference, you can choose from sweet and fruity wines, dry wines, low-acidic wines, high-acidic wines, heavy-bodied or light-bodied wines, heavy oaked or unoaked wines. It’s all about personal preference, your mood, etc.
PRICE
Another factor in choosing that right bottle of wine is, how much you’re willing to spend. Price doesn’t dictate the quality of wine. One good thing is that, in today’s market, you’ll find plenty of good quality wines for a much cheaper price. When you’re at a liquor store or a restaurant, the shop assistant or the restaurant host will be able to recommend the best quality wine in your stated price range. After all, it’s all about the quality and ultimately, enjoyment.
OCCASSION
The occasion also plays an important part when it comes to choosing the right wine. For example, if you’re at a family dinner, you can start off by opening a good sparkling wine and follow it by a light and a crisp white or a rich red, ending with a good dessert wine. Or say, you’re out on a date and you want to impress your date, then pop open a nice vintage Champagne. Or if you’re just hanging out with your friends on a hot summer afternoon, then a light fruity rose is perfect.
PAIRING
Finally, one of the most important factors that can help you choose the right wine is Pairing. This simply means, what wine goes best with what foods. Usually, red wines pair well with rich foods like red meats, heavy pasta dishes, etc. White wines usually go best with light foods such as seafood, chicken, turkey, light pasta sauce dishes, fragrant salads, etc. However, matching foods with wine depends upon your personal preference. As ultimately, it’s all about the enjoyment.
Knowing a little about wines always comes in handy in choosing the right wine for you, when you’re at wine shop or a restaurant where there are zillions of choices available.
But remember folks, in the end it’s all about the enjoyment as you only know what you like and would enjoy. So go out there and explore the world of wines without getting intimidated, as now you know exactly what you would like. Enjoy responsibly!
Cheers!