Hello all! This week I thought I’d talk about choosing a bottle of wine. We all have some level of anxiety when walking into a wine shop, grocery store’s wine section, liquor store’s wine section, etc. It can look like the photo above and for some people, it’s stress-inducing! Whether it’s what to choose or how much to pay for “good” wine, it can be confusing and nerve-wracking for some of us.

Here’s some information that I’ve collected over the years that can really help you choose a wine for whatever occasion that you need it for. It could be for a night at home alone (pick something you like), a gift for someone (pick something they like), a bottle between you and your significant other (pick something fun, exciting and experiment a little), or for a social gathering (any of the above). Think about your occasion and have fun.

Some tips for buying wine

• Try not to feel intimidated – it can be overwhelming.
  • Walk into the store with confidence that you’ll be making your best decision. Think about what varietals you have enjoyed in the past and go from there. For example, I like a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and an Oregon or Sonoma County Pinot Noir. Maybe try to choose something from one of those wine regions you like but from a different winery.

• Ask for help if you’re in a wine shop – knowledgeable wine people will be happy to assist you.
  • If you go into a wine shop, most likely it will be a place that is (or can be) close to your heart. The salespeople in the shop are, in most cases, knowledgeable and can assist you with your choice. As a matter of fact, they will probably enjoy every minute of it. So, ask!
  • Wine shops are a great place to explore and learn. They usually have weekly or monthly tastings so you can try some new wines out and see if you like them.

• Be specific when shopping at a wine shop and when talking to the wine salesperson.
  • What: price you’re willing to pay (be honest)
  • Which: varietal (Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, etc), characteristics (red, white, rosé, sparkling, dry, off-dry, sweet, etc),
  • Where: wine region (US, France, Argentina, Italy, etc),
  • How: to pair it for the occasion (food/cheese pairing, an event, etc)

• Pay attention to the signs – sometimes there are “shelf talkers” (cards placed over/under a bottle of wine on a shelf) that give descriptions of the wine and its characteristics. They are there to help you choose a wine based on the wine’s tasting notes.
  • I think these are very helpful in choosing something that you like or that you think your friends will enjoy.

• Try not to pay attention to the numbers – they are very subjective and not necessarily what you like or want in a wine.
  • The rating system has been around for many years. These numbers are based on a wine expert’s opinion of the wine. The numbers are not going to give you any information about whether YOU like the wine or not. For example, a wine could be rated a 90 by the “experts” but when you get it home, it’s just not your thing. And…you just spent probably more money than you wanted to. If you want to experiment, be my guest but do it by the descriptions as opposed to the numbers.

• Take pictures of labels – if you have had a wine in the past that you enjoyed, snap a picture for future reference.
  • Keep a library of wine labels so you can recall a wine you liked. Or, you can download the Vivino app. It will capture the label and give you pertinent information about the wine too!

• Don’t just look for pretty labels.
  • Look at the label for clues. Where are the grapes grown, what is the winery, what is the varietal, etc?
  • Some labels are very interesting. If it’s a gift, you may want to try to purchase something that is interesting looking or theme related. But, always consider other factors like will the person enjoy this wine?

• Don’t judge a wine on the basis of price alone – there are some really awesome bottles for $10-15!

• Sample/Taste if you can – if the store or wine shop is having a tasting, go for it! You never know if you’ll find something new and interesting that you like. As a matter of fact, it’s guaranteed that you’ll discover at least one!

• Try and buy something new – Always be on the lookout for wines from interesting places or from different wineries from places you love. Finding something new and different from your usual go-to wines is fun and exciting so, do some experimenting!

A few basics when pairing wine with food:

• The wine should have the same flavor intensity as the food
• Red wine’s pair best with bold-flavored meats (e.g. red meat)
• White wines pair best with light-intensity meats (e.g. fish or chicken)

Have a great time shopping for your next exciting bottle of wine! Share some of your favorites in the comments. Cheers!