In order to truly enjoy a glass of wine, you need to know how to pick it out of the online wine store and what makes it good. To help you find your way through the confusing world of vino, here are some quick tips on what makes a good wine and what doesn’t. If you’re looking for a perfect bottle of wine, it's high time to check out our guide!
Get the basics down
You can't go wrong with Merlot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon when picking out a bottle of red or white. If you're unsure of what to choose, pick up a mixed pack from the online wine store and try them all out. And remember: don't serve ice-cold wines. Just like everything else in life, says sommelier Chris Hill of Atlas Restaurant in Washington D.C., wine is better at room temperature.
Understand red, white, and rosé wines
Before you start shopping for wines, it’s important to know what kinds of wines you should be looking for. Red and white wines are typically made from grapes and range in flavor from light to bold; rosé is another type of red wine that is flavored with strawberries or raspberries, among other fruits. The color of wine has no bearing on how it tastes, so remember that white does not mean sweet—that category actually belongs to rosé.
Get better at recognizing terroir
Terroir refers to everything that goes into making your glass of wine, and it is one of many factors that contribute to making a given wine good. It can be hard to wrap your head around what differentiates one region’s grapes and wines from another, but with time you will learn how certain soils, weather patterns, and viticultural practices yield unique flavors and aromas in each type of grape grown.
Learn what you like through experimentation
One of SWASO's favorite parts about drinking wine is exploring new varietals and regions, but it’s also important to recognize your own palate. If you know what flavors you enjoy in food (sweet, salty, spicy), try pairing that with something in your glass. You might be surprised at how well some cuisines and wines play off each other. Is there a dish you love that calls for soy sauce? What would happen if you poured that same type of vinegar into your glass with dinner?
Know when to buy the bottle (and when not to)
There’s nothing wrong with sticking to cheap plonk—drinking is drinking, after all. But if you have a little more cash to spend and you know where to look, it can be worth investing in some better wines for those special occasions or when you’re entertaining friends. If there’s one piece of advice we could give, it would be that you should never buy a bottle of wine based on price alone.
Use your knowledge in practice
If you know what you like, chances are that you’ve tasted at least one of them in a store or at your favorite restaurant. To narrow down your options, make sure to take note of whether they are light-bodied or full-bodied, red or white, and sweet or dry. Keep your palette in mind as well; if you enjoy bolder wines with stronger flavor notes, then look for richly fruity varietals such as Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.