How to Pick a Good Bottle of Wine
When you're buying a wine in a physical store and you’re unsure which one to buy, sommeliers help you choose the best wine bottle. You may notice that they’ll ask about your taste preferences, and they will recommend a wine bottle that suits your taste and complements your meal perfectly. But how about if you’re going to order online and you don’t have enough knowledge about wine?
Check out this quick guide to choosing outstanding wine, with tips on how to pick a good bottle of wine.
Know Your Tastes
It can really be a daunting experience for anyone who doesn't know what kind of bottle they want. There are so many options available to choose from, and even if you're familiar with the grape varietals and flavours that make up different wines, it can still be hard to know which one will be right for you.
But if you already know your tastes, the process of choosing a bottle of wine becomes a lot easier. If you like sweet wines, for example, then you'll want to look for bottles that are made from grapes that have been fermented until they reach a higher sugar content (and therefore taste sweeter). And if you prefer dryer wines, then look for those made from grapes that have been fermented only until their sugar content is low enough for them not to ferment further.
You can also find out about the different types of grapes used in making wines by browsing the internet or looking for reviews. There are many different types of grapes used in wine production: reds (like Cabernet Sauvignon), whites (like Chardonnay), rosés (made by adding some red wine after fermentation has finished), sparkling wines (like champagne), and many more.
Know the Occasion
It's important to think about the occasion every time you're shopping for a bottle of wine. A good example is that if you're going to be having a casual dinner with friends, maybe you can go for something lighter in flavour and not too expensive, like a rosé or white wine. You can also consider what kind of food you'll be eating and pair your drink accordingly to find the perfect bottle.
However, if your event is more formal or festive, you can choose an aged red wine that is full-bodied and rich, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon. But the best option is to choose not too sweet or not too acidic. It is always the ideal choice to buy a wine that has a mild taste that can go well with everything.
Know the Basic Wine Terms
It would be hard to choose a bottle of wine of you don’t know some wine terms. There are some basic wine terms that you should know to help you in selecting the right bottle of wine.
Varietal: It is often described as the type of grape used to create wine. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, or Merlot are all good example of varietals.
Fermentation: This is the process of transforming grape juice into wine through the action of yeast, which may cause it to turn the sugars in it into alcohol.
Terroir: The environmental factors, such as soil, climate, and geography, that influence the character and flavour of the wine.
Vintage: The year in which the grapes used in the wine were harvested. Different vintages can have varying qualities due to weather conditions.
Tannins: Natural compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems that provide structure and astringency to a wine. They can create a drying sensation in the mouth.
Body: Refers to the texture, weight, and richness of a wine in your mouth. Light, medium, and full-bodied are often used terms to describe wines.
Oak: Wine's flavour can be influenced by the kind and quantity of oak barrels used to age it, offering toasty, vanilla, and spice flavours.
Finish: The taste and sensation that lingers in your mouth after swallowing the wine. A long finish is often associated with higher-quality wines.
Acidity: The level of tartness or crispness in a wine. Wines with higher acidity are refreshing and can pair well with food.
Corked: A wine that has been spoiled by a faulty cork, resulting in off-putting aromas and flavours.
Decanting: The process of pouring wine from its bottle into a decanter to separate it from any sediment and allow it to breathe, enhancing its flavours.
Sommelier: A trained wine expert who assists with wine selection, pairings, and service in restaurants.
Dry: A term used to describe wines with very little residual sugar, resulting in a less sweet taste.
Crisp: A wine with high acidity, often associated with a refreshing, clean taste.
Aeration: Refers to allowing wine to come into contact with air, usually by swirling it in a glass or using a wine aerator.
Tasting Notes: It is a description of a taster's perceptions of the tastes, aromas, and characteristics of a wine.
Blend: A wine made from a combination of a variety of grapes.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV) - Refers to the alcohol content of wine after it’s been fermented. If a bottle of wine has an ABV of 13%, it means that 13% of the total volume of the wine is alcohol. The remaining percentage is composed of water and other components, including flavour compounds and residual sugars.
Fortification: In wine fortification, it refers to the process of adding alcohol to a wine to increase its ABV. This is typically done to make the wine stronger or to achieve a specific flavour profile.
Know the Wine Types
A lot of wine varieties are wide available out there. You may be unsure of their differences and how to choose the best wine bottle for you, or for the occasion that you’ll be hosting. Below are the different types of wine:
Red Wines
- Red wine gets its colour from the dark grape skins used during fermentation. This type of wine is typically made from black or red grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Malbec, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel.
- Red wines can vary greatly in flavour and aroma, from light and fruity to rich and full-bodied.
- They are often paired with red meat, hearty dishes, and aged cheeses.
White Wines
- White wine is made from green or yellow grapes, with minimal skin contact during fermentation.
- Common white grape varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Grigio.
- White wines tend to be crisper and lighter than reds, with flavours ranging from citrusy and floral to creamy and buttery.
- They pair well with seafood, chicken, salads, and light pasta dishes.
Rosé Wines
- Rosé wine is made from red grape varieties but has minimal contact with the grape skins, resulting in its pink colour.
- It often has a refreshing and fruity flavour profile, with notes of strawberries, raspberries, and flowers.
- Rosé wines are versatile and pair nicely with a variety of foods, including grilled vegetables, seafood, and charcuterie.
Dessert Wines
- Dessert wines are sweet wines typically served with or as dessert.
- Varieties include late harvest wines, ice wines, and fortified wines like Port and Sherry.
- They are known for their intense sweetness and rich, complex flavors that complement desserts or cheese.
Read the Wine Label
Reading the wine label is really important when choosing a bottle of wine. It can give you a lot of knowledge about the wine. You can find some information at the back of the bottle that will tell you where the wine came from, what type it is, how much alcohol it has, which is usually listed as “alcohol by volume” or “ABV”, the details about the characteristics, and even how many calories are in each glass.
It’s essential to look at all this information because it will help you decide the best wine for you. If you're trying to pick something that's low in calories but high in antioxidants, for example, then one specific type might be better suited than another. If the label includes a list of popular aromas, such as chocolate, apple, citrus, and many more, it is still another good sign of which one to choose. It suggests that the wine has a flavour profile that is comparable to those smells, so if you enjoy any of them, you'll probably enjoy the wine as well.
Look for Wine Reviews and Ratings
It is a great way to get a sense of how well-received or good a particular wine is. The importance of a review and a rating is that they will tell you more about what you're buying and what it tastes like. This can be found in online stores. There are many different ways that wines can be rated, but the most common are either by points or by stars.
For example, if you see a wine with four stars, this means it has been reviewed as exceptional. However, it's important to note that just because a wine has received high ratings or reviews doesn't mean it will taste good to you. It's still the best way to find out if you like a certain bottle of wine by trying it yourself.
Find the Perfect Wine Bottle
Ultimately, the best way to decide whether or not a wine is good is to try it. If you prefer to avoid wine completely, and don’t enjoy the taste of it, then it makes little sense for you to invest any money into purchasing it. But once you’re comfortable with the idea of wine, picking out your next bottle doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking. Just remember that there are plenty of ways to choose which wine is right for you, and that ultimately, all you need to do is pick something that suits your tastes. Choose from an extensive collection of wines at The North Pole Company!