Tips for Selecting a Wine
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Let’s begin this article by addressing a couple of common questions: “Why is wine so puzzling?” and “Do you feel daunted when picking a wine?” If the latter resonates with you, know that you’re in good company!
Most of us have experienced that moment of uncertainty and overwhelm, whether at a liquor store or a restaurant when faced with an endless array of wine options. The vast array of varieties, brands, labels, and price points can seem never-ending.
This brings us to the core issue: The overwhelming number of options.
So, how do we navigate this vast sea of choices?
Simply put: Identify your personal wine taste preferences.
While many can easily identify a wine they enjoy, deciphering the reason behind the preference can be trickier. What exactly appeals to you in that wine? Is it light or rich? Does it have tannins, or is it devoid of them? And what are tannins in the first place? Is the wine fruity, or does it lean towards the sweet side? Are ‘fruity’ and ‘sweet’ even synonymous? Moreover, if you find yourself enjoying a Shiraz, does that guarantee you’ll love every Shiraz out there?
To find answers to these questions, the key is not just tasting wines but truly savoring and understanding them. Comparative tasting is a valuable tool in this journey. Take the Chardonnay grape as an example. It grows in both Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, and Margaret River, Western Australia. At first glance, tasting the two might suggest they share little resemblance. However, both wines originate from the same Chardonnay grape.
By comparing wines of the same variety, it becomes easier to discern the nuances between, say, a rich wine and a lighter one, or a wine teeming with tannins versus one that’s milder.
Tips on how to choose a wine that is right for you
Step 1: Choose Your Wine Type
Determine if you’re in the mood for white, red, sparkling, dessert, or fortified wine. This decision will help streamline your options and provide a clearer path forward.
Step 2: Determine Your Wine Taste Preferences
Reflect on your taste inclinations when it comes to wine. (Hint: Draw insights from your past comparative wine tastings.)
At the very least, figure out if you lean towards a dry or sweet wine. (Note: “Dry” denotes a wine without noticeable sweetness.)
If you’re familiar with other wine characteristics, consider those as well. If not, here’s a brief guide to aid you during your tastings:
- Tannin Levels – Low vs High: Tannins play a crucial role in many wines, particularly reds. They originate from the grape’s stalks, skins, and seeds. In younger wines, tannins often manifest as a sharp, astringent taste.
- Palate Length – Short vs Long: The “length” of a wine pertains to how long its taste and aroma linger post-swallow. Generally, longer is deemed superior.
- Acidity Levels – Low vs High: Wines contain various types of acids, crucial both for the wine’s preservation and the drinker’s pleasure. Insufficient acidity can compromise the wine’s caliber, while an excess can mar it. Wines with higher acidity often taste crisper and tangier, while those with lower acidity might come off as bland and are more prone to spoilage.
Acidity imparts a zest that makes your taste buds tingle and your lips tighten. Without it, wines (and indeed most things) can appear lackluster and monotonous. But when acidity is balanced just right, it accentuates all other flavors in the wine, from fruity notes to hints of spice and herbs. It’s the tangy, invigorating, refreshing, and lively aspect of wine that we often describe as crisp, bright, or zesty.
4. To better understand the distinction between a light-bodied and a full-bodied wine, consider the milk analogy. Think of light-bodied wine as akin to skim milk, while full-bodied wine resembles whole milk. The “body” of wine can be compared to the varying fat content in milk.
What simplifies this understanding is that the body of a wine is often tied to its alcohol content. On every wine label, there’s a specified percentage indicating alcohol by volume. Here’s how this relates to the wine body:
- 7.5% – 10.5% suggests a light body
- 10.5% – 12.5% points to a medium body
- 12.5% and above signifies a full body.
5. No Oak vs Heavy Oak: Wines might be stored in oak barrels, usually to impart extra and more complex flavors. French, American, and German oak barrels are widely used in Australia. Oaky describes the aroma or taste quality imparted to a wine by the oak barrels in which it was aged. The terms toasty, vanilla, dill, cedary, and smoky indicate the desirable qualities of oak; charred, burnt, green cedar, lumber and plywood describe its unpleasant side.
Step 3: Buy a wine that is well looked after, like at the cellar door
It’s crucial to buy wine from retailers that prioritize the proper storage and handling of their products. For instance, purchasing directly from a winery’s cellar door can be a wise choice. Wines don’t fare well under extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, or abrupt temperature changes. Before making a purchase, ensure the wine reaches up to the bottle’s neck, the cork isn’t protruding, and there’s no evidence of leakage.
Step 4: Exploring the variety and diversity of Australian wine
Australia’s wine landscape is rich and varied, offering ample reasons to delve deep into its offerings. While popular choices like Chardonnay or Shiraz are delightful, venture beyond the familiar. Explore whites such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer, or reds like Zinfandel and Pinot Noir. Experience the same variety from different wine regions to grasp how regional factors influence a wine’s essence. Broaden your wine horizons; the more you sample, the more you’ll comprehend, making wine selection a breeze.
Step 5: Buy it by the case
Discovering a wine that truly resonates with your palate is a delightful experience. Once you stumble upon such a gem, think about investing in it by buying wine by the case, typically consisting of 12 bottles. Not only does this ensure you have a steady supply of a favorite, but it’s also economically savvy.
The majority of wineries incentivize bulk purchases by offering discounts, often ranging from 10% to 15%, when you buy a case or more. This allows you to savor more of what you love while also getting better value for your money. Additionally, having a case on hand is perfect for impromptu gatherings or gifting a bottle to friends and family, introducing them to your cherished find.
The ultimate aspiration when purchasing wine is to find those that resonate with your personal palate. Recommendations from merchants, friends, or wine critics can be insightful, but remember that taste is subjective. Just because a wine is highly praised doesn’t guarantee you’ll enjoy it. Conversely, don’t disregard a wine solely based on someone else’s unfavorable review. In the end, you are the best judge of what delights your taste buds.
The expansive variety of wines available offers an undeniable advantage: amidst this vast array, you’re bound to discover selections that align seamlessly with your individual preferences. Embarking on this journey of discovery merely requires a foundational understanding, as outlined earlier, and a genuine curiosity to explore.
Moreover, approach wine tasting with an open mind. Embrace the diversity, revel in the unexpected surprises, and chronicle your experiences. By noting your impressions and reflections, you evolve as a wine enthusiast, constantly refining and expanding your palate.
In conclusion,
wine buying isn’t just about procuring bottles; it’s a personal voyage of taste and discovery. By keeping an open heart and a curious mind, you not only find wines that you cherish but also grow in your appreciation and understanding of this age-old elixir. Happy tasting!
Check out, How to Decipher a Wine Label: A Guide for Beginners
Here are some real references related to the topic of wine:
- Robinson, Jancis. The Oxford Companion to Wine. Oxford University Press, 2015.
- MacNeil, Karen. The Wine Bible. Workman Publishing, 2015.
- Puckette, Madeline, and Hammack, Justin. Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine. Avery, 2015.
- Clarke, Oz. Oz Clarke’s Grapes & Wines: A Comprehensive Guide to Varieties and Flavours. Sterling Epicure, 2015.
- Goode, Jamie. The Science of Wine: From Vine to Glass. University of California Press, 2014.
- Zraly, Kevin. Windows on the World Complete Wine Course. Sterling, 2016.
- Johnson, Hugh. The World Atlas of Wine. Mitchell Beazley, 2019.