When dining out, a sommelier, or wine expert, can help you choose the perfect wine based on your tastes. But when you’re browsing shelves or websites full of options, picking the right bottle can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with wine. The labels and descriptions may only add to the confusion. Luckily, understanding a few wine basics can make choosing much easier. By learning about your preferences and some general wine characteristics, you’ll feel more confident in selecting an excellent wine for any meal. In this blog, we will explore different ways to know how to pick the best quality wine.
What To Look For When Choosing A Wine
Choosing a good wine is all about personal taste. Whether you like sweet, bold, tart, or spicy flavors, there’s a wine for you. To make it easier, here are a few key things to consider. Knowing these basics can help you pick a wine that matches your preferences.
Sweetness
Wines can be sweet, semi-sweet, or dry (not sweet).
Acidity
Higher acidity means a wine will taste more tart, while lower acidity makes it taste smoother.
Tannins
These give the wine a bitter, drying effect, especially in reds.
Body
This refers to how heavy or light the wine feels in your mouth, with reds usually being fuller-bodied than whites.
Alcohol
Higher alcohol levels make the wine feel warmer.
Know Your Occasion
When choosing a wine, consider the occasion and how you’ll enjoy it. Are you drinking it yourself, sharing it with friends, or pairing it with a meal? For a crowd, grabbing red and white is smart to cover different tastes. Balanced wines, not too sweet or strong, often please more people. If you pair wine with food, the basic rule is white wine for lighter dishes like chicken or fish and red wine for heavier dishes like beef or lamb. But you don’t need anything fancy if you’re cooking with the wine or mixing it into a cocktail. An affordable bottle will do just fine.
Read The Wine Label
Don’t let eye-catching designs or clever names distract you from the important details when choosing a wine. Instead, focus on reading the label. It’s easier than it sounds! Look for specific information about the wine, like the region, vineyard, or type of grapes used. Generally, the more details on the label, the better the wine will likely be. This helps you make a more informed choice, even if you don’t understand every term.
Try Wine Tasting At Rosé Day LA This Summer
Indulge and try all different kinds of wines this summer with your friends at Rosé Day LA. We are conveniently located at King Gillette Ranch in the heart of Calabasas, CA. Surrounded by mountains and beautiful weather, our one-day exclusive wine event will let you expand your wine palate. Keep an eye out for tables and tickets for the summer of 2025. Get your tickets here.
