When you visit a wine shop, you usually know what you want, although 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?
In general terms, we can say that wines produced outside Europe are fruitier, more pleasant to the palate and less astringent. It is very difficult to generalise because we cannot compare an Australian wine with a Mexican one in a simple way, but we can say that their characteristics of softness on the palate and fruit aromas are predominant. In the New World, we find some blends of various grapes, which the winemaker uses to give more versatility and to be able to adapt the wine to different profiles.
The story is different in Europe.
Old world wines adhere to the rules dictated by the regulatory council of a Denomination 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. In general, we can 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 that goes from less to more…
The price range
Having a budget in mind is very important, and so is being aware that the most expensive wine is not always the best. So don't be shy. Don't be intimidated by salespeople who will want to recommend the most expensive wine. Have a budget in mind and try to try the best alternative in that price range.
However, we want to invite you to occasionally buy wines of varying price, quality, grapes, or even from places you didn't know produced wine. The taste for wine is acquired by trying and learning about more and better options.
There are exceptional wines like champagne, but they are also always expensive. However, if you don't have the budget for it, you can try a cava from Spain , for example. The production method is the same: a second fermentation in the bottle, the grapes are different but the result is similar. We will never mention that champagne has its place in the world of wine for a reason, but a good cava can get you out of a tight spot 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 know what you like best about a Merlot, what you like most about a Chardonnay or perhaps what you didn't like about a Riesling. The point is to taste in order to define what your palate accepted best.
Beginning in the 1960s, the American market learned to drink by varietal. Today, in restaurants, it is common for American customers to refer to wines by the varietal from which they are made. Although the world of wine is vast and many wines are blended from several grapes, it is important to have a general understanding of 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 purchased can be very helpful to the seller in helping you make the best decision. For example, if the wine is for your grandfather, who is of Spanish origin and enjoys red wine a lot, the most likely purchase suggestion is a Rioja or Ribera del Duero wine. On the other hand, if it is a Mother's Day gift and your mother drinks white wines 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 best while discovering which wine is better, which you consider to have more quality, and little by little you refine your taste and learn to make the best purchase of a wine.
