Tips To Help You Choose Your Next Bottle Of Wine

If you enjoy sharing an excellent bottle of wine over dinner with family and friends, choosing the perfect variety can be tricky. Unless you’re a qualified sommelier with decades of experience, it’s easy to see why the sheer amount of choice available might be overwhelming. While you may be perfectly content with the same bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot every weekend, branching out and trying new varieties of wine can be a tremendously rewarding experience. Here are some tips to help you choose your next bottle of wine. 

What’s The Occasion?

Your choice of wine will be largely influenced by the occasion. For instance, are you buying it for casual enjoyment or for a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary? If you simply want a delicious bottle of wine to accompany your family dinner, you can afford to be a little more lenient with your choices. On the other hand, if you have something to celebrate, then it’s worth sourcing something a little more extravagant. 

Match Flavours

Selecting a bottle of wine to accompany a meal can seem like a complicated task; however, by sticking to a few simple rules, you can pick out the perfect bottle to elevate your dining experience. First of all, consider the menu - are you planning to cook something bright and fresh or rich and earthy? Generally speaking, the wine you choose should complement the food and balance the intensity of flavours. For instance, crisp and fragrant white wines like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc pair wonderfully with lighter dishes featuring seafood, poultry and creamy sauces. On the other hand, bold, full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon work well with rich red meats, hearty stews and strong cheeses. 

Consider The Region

Another excellent way to pair your wine with your meal is to consider pairing based on region, as wines from a specific area often complement the local cuisine. In other words, if you’re planning to cook an Italian meal, consider pairing it with a wine from the same region. This is due to numerous factors, including the fact that wines and foods developed side by side in a particular area often do so because they've been historically enjoyed together due to their similarity in flavour profiles and shared characteristics. 

Ask For Recommendations

When shopping for wine in person at a local wine merchants, don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations and advice from the employees. Wine shop staff typically have a comprehensive understanding of various wine styles, grape varieties, regions, and flavour profiles. By providing them with information regarding your menu and preferences, they can offer personal recommendations and guide you towards making the perfect selection for your evening.

Flavour Preferences

When choosing a bottle of wine to enjoy alongside a meal with family or friends, consider the flavour preferences of your fellow diners. For instance, you may enjoy earthy, full-bodied red wines, but in contrast, your partner might lean towards sweet yet crisp rosé or white wine. While you can always bridge the gap and purchase a crowd-pleasing wine in the hopes that it will please everyone, you may need to be more diplomatic. Consider selecting multiple wines that cater to the preferences of each individual around the table. 

Consider Your Budget

Certain wines can fetch jaw-dropping prices. Hence, setting a wine budget for your evening is always a wise choice. However, keep in mind that the correlation between price and quality isn't always linear. While there are exceptional wines in higher price ranges, the quality of a bottle does not solely depend on its cost. In fact, you can find numerous budget options that are remarkably complex and balanced, so shop around before coming to a decision. 

Read The Label

Arguably the easiest way to learn more about the flavour profile and characteristics of a wine before cracking it open is to read the label. Wine labels typically feature valuable information, such as the appellation or region where the grapes were grown, the alcohol content and the presence of any allergens, such as egg albumin, which is commonly used as a fining agent. Some labels even offer recommendations for food pairing, which is helpful if you’re after a bottle to enjoy with dinner.