When thinking of the word wine, the word that would probably pop up in your mind is colorful, bitter, sweet, and sour. The world of wines is very colorful and exciting!
If you want to dine at a restaurant, a wine specialist will walk you through a perfect wine that would suit you. But what if you want to know what wine would be the best fit for you just by scrolling through the internet?
For those who are new to wines, this blog will help you how to choose a wine that would suit your taste!
What is Wine?
Wine is known almost worldwide; it is a fermented grape juice that is simply alcoholic. Wine grapes are the most common ingredients for making wines, but other sources can be made for wine; just like plums, apples, and even rice are used throughout the year.
Wines differ in the varieties of grapes, climate, soil, and process of creating wine. They will taste different even if they have the same combination of grapes since it depends on the country and region.
How to Choose a Wine?
Choosing a wine that is suited for your taste will make you feel the emotions you’re craving. Wine is a great way to release your feelings, whether it is an emotion due to pain or pleasure due to happiness.
To choose a wine that suits your preferences, you should know what flavors you like!
Know the flavors you want
Wine is naturally made up of these three taste points: sweet, sour, and bitter. Sweet refers to the wine grapes that were used, sour, from the flavors of the grapes, and bitter, known as tannin.
It is essential to note that wines are different, and they contain a flavor that balances each other. So before choosing a wine that suits you, remember that you must know your preferences and the type of wine you want!
If you are a person who loves sweets just like roses, red wines should not be in your choices. Instead, try finding a light-bodied wine. Different wines are light-bodied or sweets for you to explore. If you have already tried white wines like Pinot Grigio, there are other sweet wines like Sauvignon Blanc.
You should note that everything can affect the flavor and taste of wine because of the weather, country, time, process, wine grapes used, and soil type.
Remember: Each of us differs from the others, so some may find tannins delicious. If you are that person, in this case, you should choose wines containing many tannins!
However, trying different kinds of wine to know what taste you would enjoy is also a good idea. Try exploring wines that you know!
4 Types of Wine
There are different types of wines: sparkling Wine, Pink Wine, Rosé Wine, White Wine, and Red Wine.
Sparkling Wine
This type of wine is called sparkling wine because of its high carbon dioxide content. The CO2 of the wine stem is compressed in the tank or a bottle created when the sugar and yeast are poured.
Sparkling wine taste often tastes like vanilla, apple, or citrus. Taittinger, Printhie Wines, and Duval Leroy are some examples of Sparkling Wine.
Rosé Wine
Rosé wine, also known as pink wine, is a refreshing drink that is good during summer days. It is called pink wine because the skin of the grapes was fermented for weeks, which causes it to stain.
If you want a taste of strawberry, melon, cherry, or fresh flowers, Rosé wines are the best. The Ned Rose, Can Sumoi, and Minuty are examples of Rosé Wine.
White Wine
White wine is pretty standard around the world and is made from white wine grapes. During the process of white wine, the skin of the grapes is removed. There are plenty of white wines to try!
White wines taste like stone fruits, hinting at floral, fresh grass, and citrus. You should try Penfolds, Chateau La Nerthe, and Alkoomi!
Red Wine
Probably red wine is the most popular type of wine that everybody knows. It is made out of dark-skinned grapes that were fermented for months. Mainly, it consists of many tannins and often has a high level of alcohol.
If you prefer a sweet but bitter wine with a dark flavor, you should probably choose red wines. Spotswood Estate, Chateau Montelena, and Freemark Abbey are some examples of Red wine.
What to consider when choosing a wine?
When choosing a wine, you should ask yourself why you want to drink the wine. Is it for a party dinner? A gift for celebration? Or do you want to drink a bottle of wine this evening?
No matter the occasion, a bottle of wine will always be the night star! Choosing a wine differs for a person since each of us has different taste buds that define the uniqueness of a wine.
These five things stated below will help you define the characteristics and variety of wines to help you decide which bottle of wine to choose.
Sweetness
You should check the wine labels since most of the time. They have the terms “sweet,” “semi-sweet,” or “dry” that is indicated on their label. Remember that dried wine does not taste sweet.
Acidity
Wines with high acidity have more tart compared to wines with low acidity. Low-acidity wine tastes richer and rounder.
Body
Wines have different characteristics, such as light body, full body, or in between. The wine “body” refers to how light or heavy wine feels inside your mouth. Compared to white wines, red wines have a full-body feel.
Tannin
If you are unfamiliar with tannins, they are the compounds in grapes that are present in creating a glass of wine. People often describe tannins as the level of “dryness” of a wine that refers to how sweet and bitter the wine is.
Alcohol
Upon choosing a wine, you should consider the percentage of alcohol in your bottle of wine. The higher the level of the alcohol, the warmer it will be in your throat and mouth.
Most wines only contain 11 to 13 percent alcohol, but they can range from 5.5 percent to 20 percent.
Each of us has a different preference on every characteristic of bottled wine, but you can find the perfect wine that suits you with the proper care and research.
3 Tips for Picking a Wine
You must consider these factors in knowing how to choose a wine that would suit you. It includes flavor preferences, occasions, and prices. These considerations differ from each person, so if you want some tips on choosing a wine, continue reading below!
1. You should start with white wine or rose wine
A study that the Sonoma State University conducted found that most people who are starting on wines enjoy rose or sweet wines, then later fall in love with dried wine flavors.
If you think drinking sweet wines are not your type, there are other options, such as dry white rose wines or lighter-bodied wines.
2. You should consider the occasions
The second thing to consider is when I will use the wine. Is it for friends? A gift? A party? A recipe? Wines differ from one another and are served with different purposes and on other occasions.
Here are the two questions to ask yourself while choosing a bottle of wine:
Do you want wine to satisfy your friends?
If you want crowd-pleaser wine, you should consider white wine and a bottle of red wine. Since choosing a wine is subjective, having both wines with your friends is best.
You can also consider choosing a moderate sweetness, body, and acidity for more sensible and balanced flavors that will shine to your visitors.
Are you pairing it with your food?
It would be best if you never forgot that when choosing a wine to complement your meals for lighter dishes like fish and chicken, white wines are the most suitable, and for dishes like lamb and beef that are primarily heavy, red wines would be the best.
3. Do not let the price fool you
You will probably see wine on sale when you go to a store. Remember, not because these wines are on sale; it does not mean it does not taste good. The main reason is that the wine’s been sitting in the store for a while.
Alcohol Guide for Popular Wines
Since you want to choose a wine, remember that wine consists of alcohol. Here is the alcohol guide about wines that can help you more if you want a wine drink that is light in alcohol or heavier!
The typical alcohol percentage of wine consists of about 11 percent up to 13 percent, but the alcohol volume of a wine bottle ranges from 5.5 percent.
Sparkling Wine
| Wine | Alcohol by Volume |
| Italian Prosecco | 12.5 % below (Very Low) |
| California Sparkling Wine | 12.5 % to 13.5% (Moderately Low) |
| Spanish Cava | 12.5 % to 13.5% (Moderately Low) |
Rosé Wine or Pink Wine
| Wine | Alcohol by Volume |
| California White Zinfandel | 12.5 % below (Very Low) |
| French Rosés | 12.5 % to 13.5% (Moderately Low) |
| Spanish Rosés | 12.5 % to 13.5% (Moderately Low) |
White Wine
| Wine | Alcohol by Volume |
| Spanish Txakoli | 12.5 % below (Very Low) |
| Italian Pinot Grigio | 12.5 % to 13.5% (Moderately Low) |
| California Viognier | 13.5 % to 14.5 % (High) |
| Fortified Spanish Sherry | More than 14.5 % (Very high) |
Red Wine
| Wine | Alcohol by Volume |
| Italian Chianti | 12.5 % to 13.5% (Moderately Low) |
| Chilean Merlot | 13.5 % to 14.5 % (High) |
| Italian Amarone | More than 14.5 % (Very high) |
The alcohol level of wines is related directly to the amount of sugar developed during the grape’s harvest time. When the sugar levels are high, probably the alcohol levels are high too.
In some cases, this doesn’t mean that wines that are higher in alcohol are sweeter. Instead, the yeast that consumed the sugar turns into alcohol during fermentation.
Summary
Now that we are on the last part of the blog, this probably helped you with how to choose a wine! Of course, choosing a wine is not easy, especially with many options. That’s why we put this guide to help.
There are many factors to learn on choosing a wine, but the important thing to remember is the best wine drink for you. Drinking wine is an experience that most people enjoy.
Remember, the more you drink wine, the more confidence you can gain in choosing a wine!
George Moore, co-founder of Wine Flavor Guru, is a charismatic entrepreneur with a rich background in California’s wine industry. Alongside Sylvia, he transformed a Sonoma County vineyard into a source of premium wines. George’s expertise in sourcing exceptional grapes and his approachable style make wine appreciation both accessible and engaging.
