How To Choose A Good Wine: Full Guide (2023 Updated)
Last Updated on August 2, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Are you overwhelmed just by staring at a wall of wine bottles, unsure where to start with your wine shopping?
If you’re just starting out with your wine journey, choosing wines can be daunting. However, it doesn’t have to be.
To steer you in the right direction, we’ve rounded up ten tips on how to choose a good wine to make your life easier, including the five fundamental traits of what makes the best wine.
10 Tips To Choose A Good Bottle of Wine
1. Start With A White Wine Or Rose
White or rose wines are always a great starting point since they have a lighter, sweeter, and more refreshing flavor profile than red wines.
They’ll make it easier for you to appreciate and enjoy wines without being completely overwhelmed by complex flavors and tannins.
A sweeter wine often delivers good first impressions on beginners’ wine viewpoints.
But, if a sweet wine like white and rose makes you cringe, you can opt for their dry wine counterparts.
2. Choose Quality Over Price Point
An expensive wine may be overpriced due to its rarity, prestige, or even luxurious cachet design, but that’s not always a guarantee of quality.
In fact, many affordable, high-quality wines in the market could be more delicious and offer more excellent value for money than expensive wines.
Ultimately, wine doesn’t need to be expensive when you’re only starting out in the wine world.
Read: Most Recommended Wine Cooler Brands
3. Use Your Taste Preferences
Your taste preferences are critical in choosing a good bottle of wine because everyone’s taste buds are unique, as what may be a great wine for one person may not be as enjoyable for another.
For instance, if you enjoy black coffee or grapefruit juice, you may appreciate an acidic wine like Pinot Noir.
On the other hand, if you prefer apple juice or other drinks that pack sweetness, you may enjoy a sweet white wine.
It’s essential to consider your taste preferences as this can help you find a wine that you’ll genuinely enjoy.
4. Read The Label & Focus On The Wine Information
The label and information on the wine bottle can provide valuable insight into the wine’s origin, grape variety, and winemaking techniques, helping you make a more informed decision and select a likely enjoyable and high-quality wine.
Tip: One key information to look for is whether the particular wine is estate bottled. This label means that the wine has been produced entirely from grapes grown on the winery’s estate and has been appropriately bottled.
5. Carefully Choose A Wine Label
First Label
The first label also referred to as the “flagship label,” is vital because it signifies that the wine is typically reserved for the winery’s top-of-the-line wines.
These wines are made from the winery’s best grapes, with careful aging, and crafted with great attention to detail.
Second Label
The second label is also an important factor because it is typically used for wines that are still high-quality but may not meet the same standards as the first-label wines.
These wines may be slightly inferior in all aspects compared to the first-label wines.
6. Don’t Focus On The Wine’s Age
Some wines are meant to be consumed young and fresh, while others can benefit from undergoing the aging process.
Focusing solely on the age of wine can lead to the common misconception that older wines are always better, which is not necessarily the case.
While the age of wine can be an important indicator, you should instead focus on the wine’s grape variety, the region it is made, vintage, and personal taste preferences.
7. Don’t Be Afraid To Take Risks
You should not be afraid to take risks and step outside your comfort zone.
While it can be tempting to stay in the same place, many great wines are out there waiting for you to be tasted.
When you choose a wine that’s outside your own preferences, it will expose you to brand new dimensions of flavors and styles of wine that you may enjoy in the long run.
8. Keep Track Of The Wines You Try
Keeping a record of the wines you try in a journal, notebook, or app can help you discover other wine candidates you may enjoy.
— Raymond Burr, Canadian Actor
“I love wines, except when I’m dieting.”
If you have tried a wine that you particularly liked, you can use that information to find other wines that are similar in style or flavor.
It will also prevent you from purchasing wines that you did not enjoy in the past.
9. Consider The Occasion & Purpose
It’s essential to consider the occasion and purpose for which the wine will be served.
For instance, if you are celebrating a special occasion such as a wedding or anniversary, you want to choose a more expensive, high-quality wine to mark the occasion.
In other cases, if you pair the wine with heavier dishes like beef or lamb, choose wine like Cabernet Sauvignon.
Similarly, if you are serving a tomato-based pasta dish, a higher-acidity wine will work.
10. Broaden Your Horizon & Try Different Variety Of Grapes
Exploring other wines beyond your usual wine preferences can expand your knowledge and appreciation of different grape varieties, regions, and styles.
If you only drink Chardonnay, you can try other white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, or Pinot Grigio.
The point is, broadening your wine horizons can help you discover new favorites and expand your palate.
But where can you find the expiration date on wines?
5 Fundamental Traits of a Good Wine
1. Acidity
Acidity is a key characteristic of wine that refers to tartness or sourness [1].
High-acidity wines have a crisp, refreshing taste that can cut through rich or fatty foods and make the wine feel more vibrant on the palate.
The acidity level varies depending on the type of grape used and the winemaking process.
2. Alcohol Content
The alcohol content of wine refers to the percentage of ethanol in the wine. It can range from 5% to 20%, with most wines falling between 12% to 14%.
The alcohol content affects the flavor and body of the wine, with higher-alcohol wines often having a fuller body and richer flavor profile.
3. Body
The body of wine refers to its weight and texture on the palate.
It can be described as light, medium, or full-bodied. Light-bodied wines feel thin and watery, while full-bodied wines feel rich and heavy.
The body is influenced by the alcohol content, tannins, grape variety, and winemaking techniques.
4. Sweetness
Sweetness in wine refers to the amount of residual sugar left after fermentation.
Sweet wines have a higher sugar content and are often described as having a fruity or dessert-like taste.
Sweetness levels can vary from bone-dry to extremely sweet and can be balanced by acidity.
5. Tannin
Tannins are naturally occurring compounds found in grape skins, seeds, or the whole berry [2] that give a bitter or astringent taste and a drying sensation in the mouth.
Tannins are more prominent in red wines than white wines and provide structure and aging potential.
FAQs
What should a beginner know about wine?
A beginner should at least know the four main types of wine: white, red, rose, and sparkling wines, apart from dessert and fortified wines.
How do you tell good wine by the bottle?
It is difficult to determine a great wine based solely on its bottle. However, the label can provide some valuable information about the wine.
The best way to know the quality of a wine is by tasting it.
How do you choose a good wine for dinner?
You should consider the meal’s flavors and select a wine that complements or contrasts them.
In any case, go for the wine from the same region where your dinner is. If you’re in Napa Valley, order the wine made in that particular area.
In A Nutshell
Choosing a good bottle of wine involves considering many factors, such as your taste preferences, the wine’s label and information, the occasion, and more.
You can refer to our guide above or seek advice from a wine specialist to learn more about choosing wines that suit your preferences.
References:
- https://waterhouse.ucdavis.edu/whats-in-wine/fixed-acidity
- https://www.extension.iastate.edu/wine/lets-focus-dr-watrelot-1/
