When you visit a wine store, you usually know what you want, but sometimes you may not be able to express it correctly. Here is a guide to what you can know to make your requests more accurate.
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Do you prefer new world or old world style?
Generally speaking, we can say that wines produced outside Europe are fruitier, more pleasant on the palate and less astringent. It is very difficult to generalize because we cannot compare a wine from Australia with a Mexican wine in a simple way, but we can affirm that their characteristics of softness on the palate and fruit aromas are predominant. In the new world, we find some blends of several grapes, this is used by the winemaker to give more versatility and to be able to accommodate the wine to different profiles.
The story is different in Europe.
Old world wines adhere to the rules dictated by the regulatory board of an Appellation of Origin (DO). The advantage of this is that a more homogeneous quality is offered. In other words, it is very difficult for a wine from France, Italy or Spain to be of poor quality because there are many people working to ensure that they are well made and released to the market at the right time. Generally speaking, we say that a wine from these countries will have more body, a more marked astringency in the case of reds and in the case of whites a pleasant acidity with an alcohol level that balances it very well.
The general recommendation would be to start with wines from the New World and gradually migrate towards Europe. It is a path in which you go from less to more...
Price range
Having a budget in mind is very important, and so is being aware that not always the most expensive wine is the best. So don't be embarrassed. Don't be intimidated by salespeople who will want to recommend the most expensive wine. Have a budget in mind and try to taste the best alternative in that price range.
However, we want to open the invitation so that from time to time you allow yourself to buy wines varied in price, quality, grapes or even from places that did not know they produced wine. The taste for wine is acquired by tasting and getting to know more and better options.
There are exceptional wines such as champagne, but it is also always expensive. On the other hand, if there is no budget for it, you can try for example a cava from Spain. The elaboration method is the same: second fermentation in bottle, the grapes are different but the result is similar. We will never mention that it is the same because champagne has its place in the wine world for a reason, but a good cava can get you out of trouble for a third of the price.
Take note of the wines you like
The best way to learn to define your taste is by tasting and keeping a record of what you liked and what you didn't like. Keeping a tasting log will help you to know what you like about a Merlot, what you like most about a Chardonnay or perhaps what you did not like about a Riesling. The point is to taste to define what your palate accepted best.
Beginning in the 1960s, the U.S. market learned to drink by varietal. Today in restaurants, it is common for U.S. customers to refer to wines by the varietal from which they are made. Although the world of wine is enormous and many wines blend several grapes, it is important to know in general terms the characteristics of the most representative grapes in order to define a personal style and taste.
Do you want it for a special occasion? A party, a gift, a dinner. Do you know what they're going to eat?
Sometimes the recipient of the wine or the occasion for which it is being purchased can be very helpful for the seller to help you make the best decision. For example, if the wine is for your grandfather, who is of Spanish origin and enjoys red wine, the most likely purchase suggestion is a wine from Rioja or Ribera del Duero. On the other hand, if it is a Mother's Day gift and your mother drinks whites with fruity and floral aromas, they will most likely suggest a Chenin Blanc from Mexico or a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.
It is important to clarify that taste is subjective, but quality is totally objective. Tasting wine is discovering what you like the most while you are discovering which wine is better, which one you consider has more quality and little by little you are polishing your taste and learning how to make the best purchase of a wine.
