When you go to wine shops, you’ll be lucky if the owner of the shop, who is always an expert for wine, is present at the shop.  The owner can give you assistance on the basics of wine especially if you are not familiar with them.  If the owner is not there, surely, staff and other personnel could assist you in choosing your wine.  But how do you really choose the best wine?

Let’s talk about the basics of wine

Choosing the best wine shop is actually subjective.  What is best for me may not taste good for others.  This means that the quality of the wine, its taste depends on the person’s preference.

Sweetness

When you check on the label of the wine, you may see the wine’s description as sweet, semi-sweet, or dry.

It’s easy to distinguish between sweet and semi-sweet, but take note that dry is not sweet at all.

Alcohol

It’s always a hobby for someone who buys a wine to look at the alcohol content.  Most wines contain 11 to 13 percent alcohol however some particular kind of wine may have 5.5 percent to 20 percent.

Body

Nope, it does not refer to the shape of the bottle.  Body of the wine means a full or light body which refers to the heaviness or lightness of the wine to your mouth.  Red wines are known to be heavier in the mouth than light wines.  Those wines that are made in warmer regions also tend to have a full-body than that processed in cold regions.

Have I picked the best wine?

Start with a white or rose

If you are still a newbie in selecting a wine, try to enjoy first the light white or rose wine.  Over time, your preferences will change but it is always common for people to start at lighter kinds.  Later on, you make something that is heavier in the mouth.

What’s the occasion?

Great wines are always served on special occasions.  There are some things that you consider when choosing a wine vis-à-vis occasions.  Are you sharing your wine with your friends or visitors? Or are you going to serve the wine after a meal? Are you going to use wine as one of the ingredients on your menu? If so, you have to choose a wine specific to its uses.  

Always read the label

Everything about the wine is on its label.  You will be very safe if you read everything that is written on the label especially the content, alcohol level, the date it was manufactured and other wine details.

It will also give you an idea of the quality of wine you are about to purchase if you know where it was processed.

It will be easier for you to know the details if you read the labels first before you jump into a decision of buying such wine.  And take note, it’s safer.  And here’s what: the price of the wine can also be identified when you know what kind of wine you are holding, so always read the label.