Have you ever been to a restaurant and dreaded being handed the wine menu? Or worse, one of those massive wine BOOKS? For a lot of people, how to pick a good bottle of wine can be daunting. Whether you’re worried you’ll pick something you won’t like, you’re embarrassed you’ll mispronounce something, or you just get overwhelmed by the options, I’m here to help!
I am by no means an expert, but over the past few years I’ve been shifting away from cocktails and slowly educating myself about wine. Here are a few things you should know when picking out wine.
Mercedes
Don’t judge a bottle by it’s screw cap.
Just because it doesn’t have a cork doesn’t mean it’s cheap. Companies started using screw caps a decade ago when they didn’t have access to good quality corks, and they actually help keep lighter wines fresh by preventing oxygen from entering the bottle. That being said, if you’re going for screw caps only choose whites or roses.
It doesn’t have to be old.
Old doesn’t always mean good. Different years are better in different regions, and it depends on a ton of factors including the weather. In fact, a lot of inexpensive whites and roses are actually better if they are fresh! Don’t worry about picking the oldest bottle on the menu – instead, pay closer attention to the region (see below for my favorites).
Tasting notes are subjective.
Have you ever seen someone take a sip of wine and say something absurd? Maybe compare it to “the forest floor” or just throw out a bunch of random fruit names? You might see a lot of tasting notes on the menu but don’t overthink it – it’s honestly whatever YOU taste! It might be acidic, fruity, or it might just taste like… grapes. Also when the restaurant asks you to taste the wine, they’re actually just checking if the bottle went bad – not necessarily whether or not you like it.
Ask the server or the sommelier.
If you’re really struggling with how to pick a good bottle of wine, ask the sommelier. This may seem obvious to some, but a lot of people are embarrassed to ask! If you’re honest about what you’re looking for and the price range you want, they would love to help you select something – after all, people love to share something they’re passionate about.
Go for the pairing or by the glass.
Still not sure what you want? Or worried you might buy a bottle and not like it? Ask if they do a pre-set pairing where they have selected the wines that will go well with your food. You can also go with an individual glass if you want to try something new.
You only need to know a few wines.
There are an absurd amount of wines in the world, and you definitely don’t need to know how to pronounce every tiny French town or know every kind of grape. Just remember a few different wines that will go with what you usually like to eat. If you aren’t sure where to start, these are my six go-to wines and what I drink them with.
- New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs – an acquired taste, but a white that goes well with seafood or chicken. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile!
- Rieslings from Alsace (small region between France & Germany) – it’s a white that goes well with spicy cuisines like Mexican, Thai, Cajun, and richer meats like duck if you’re feeling fancy.
- Assyrtikos from Santorini – I’m a bit partial because I got married in Santorini, but I love this slightly rich white wine with any mediterranean food, and especially dishes with lemon.
- Cote de Provence Rosés (from the South of France) – goes well with pretty much anything at brunch, but also light pork dishes. I also cheat and order a rose if I’m having a mix of meats & seafood.
- Beaujolais – a perfect red when you’re with a group and everyone is eating something different.
- South African Pinotage – a red that is a great match for BBQ or pizza; and they’re an insanely good value since many people haven’t explored South African wines yet.
And now for the real question – how much should you really be spending?
Don’t rely on price as a barometer for how to pick a good bottle of wine. Let’s be honest – there are a lot of shitty cheap wines out there. But unless you’re a sommelier, few wine experts and regular people can tell the difference between a $25 bottle and a $75 bottle. Typically anything in the $25-30 range (about 20 euros) is a good price for a grocery store or wine shop. You can always expect a markup at a restaurant, but depending on where you are in the world sticking in the $35-60 range (or around 40 euros) is a good idea.
You should never feel overwhelmed or get embarrassed. Just remember that wine is something you enjoy! And last but not least, remember to drink in moderation – your brain will thank you the next day. 🙂
Resources to check out
I highly recommend reading The 24-Hour Wine Expert (EU link here), but Wine Folly (EU link) has great infographics if you’re more of a visual person. There are also some cool documentaries on Netflix if you’re not sick of watching TV yet (check out Somm: Into the Bottle), and I really like the app Pocket Wine Pairing.
What has been your experience with wine? Would you like to learn more tips about drinking wine or selecting wines at a store? Let me know in the comments!
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