Wine can be very intimidating for a lot of people.
With all these complicated terminologies like “zinfandel” and “sauvignon”, it’s sometimes easier to just categorize them as red or white, and hope that you will like what is being served.
To be fair, only a few people are pros at knowing the different kinds of wines and how to pair them.
But even if you’re not well versed, you can tell that some are sweeter than others, some have a slightly more acidic taste, and that you tend to go for certain brands and avoid others.
If you’re interested in learning more about wine, then you’re in the right place. These are some ways you can educate yourself and choose the best wines for yourself:
1. Define your taste
Think of that bottle of wine that you would choose over and over again. Is it red or white, sweet, dry or somewhere in the middle? How about the aroma? Does it remind you of fruity flavours or perhaps something spicy?
These are some of the questions that you should ask yourself so that you know which direction to take. You can even buy a bottle to do this little experiment with then note down the key points.
2. Learn what to look for
For those who don’t know a lot about wine, which is most people, it can be hard to tell what to look for before buying. Sometimes we choose based on prices or even the prettiness of the bottle, which doesn’t help when you’re trying to educate yourself.
What can help is always reading the label so you can get enough information before buying. If you’re ordering online, you can do a quick google search so you won’t be disappointed.
3. Connect with other enthusiasts
Make this process fun by mingling with other people who also have a love for wine. You should be on the lookout for wine-tasting events and wine tours happening around you and attend.
This will give you a chance to learn something new about wine that you didn’t know before. Through these experiences, you might even discover your top five list of wines.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
It’s common for people to feel embarrassed about asking questions when ordering wine at dinner, for example. There is this sort of boujee mindset that you should know what you want when it’s time to order but, that is not how it should be.
If you’re not sure about the options on the menu, you can ask the server and even get their top recommendations that will complement your meal. This is how you can learn more through this process.
5. Try something new often
Lastly, expand your perspective and be open to trying new things. It’s nice to know what you already like but it wouldn’t hurt to see what’s out there.
There are thousands of options to try so this could be an interesting experience for you. Try some rosé, dessert wines and sparkling wine options too.
