Those who are not knowledgeable will drink any type of wine with their meals. Wine is a very complex thing and there are certain types that are better suited to specific foods. When having dinner guests or dining out, it is important to know how to pick the right wine for a meal. It will make the food and drink blend harmoniously and heighten the dining experience.
Step 1: Get an education regarding red and white wines. The main difference is that red wine is made from the seeds, stems, and skins of black or red grapes, while white wine is made from any color of grape because only the clear juice is used. The woody bits and juice used to make red wine contain tannins. This makes red wines more complex. Red wines are heavier and white wines are sweeter.
Step 2: Consider the meal. If the food is light and contains subtle tastes, select a white wine. Wine that is too heavy overshadows the food taste. When eating hearty meals, select a red wine to compliment the flavor of the food. The general rule is that chicken, fish, and other white meats should be consumed with white wine. Red meats and sauces are better paired with red wine.
Step 3: Learn about sweet and dry. Dry is the opposite of sweet when it comes to wine. The dryness scale usually ranges from 00, which is very dry, to 5 or 6, which is very sweet. In the white wine family, White Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc are drier than Riesling and Pinot Grigio. For reds, Merlot is dryer than Cabernet.
Step 4: Learn about weight. The weight equates to the amount of alcohol contained in the wine. White wines Riesling and Pinot Grigio are lighter than Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. Red wines Chianti and Merlot are both lighter than Cabernet. The thickness of the wine and its weight in the mouth are referred to as body.
Step 5: Conduct taste tests. Test different wines to determine the preferred weight, body, and taste. Do not limit the selections to only wines from notable vineyards or specific countries. Most restaurants will bring you a sample or two to let you see which one you like the best and are usually knowledgeable about which few you should try.
Step 6: Consider vintage. This refers to the year the wine was made. Certain years will be better than others due to the weather conditions, particularly rainfall. The year 1990 stands out as a particularly great year for all wines, however, it is a vintage that will cost you dearly. A more recent vintage that turned out very nice was 2004 for California wines and 2005 for the same area, but they may need a bit more time to mature before they have reached their full potential. Keep in mind that older does not always mean better when it comes to wine.
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