One thing about special occasions is that they always call for drinking a bottle of wine or two. After all, a good bottle always elevates your dining experience, whether you’re winding down after a long day or attending a formal gathering. By understanding the nuances of red wine varieties, you can discover new flavors that will help you unlock your new favorites. With this article, we’ll help you understand your taste preferences so you can make informed decisions the next time you buy red wine online.
Understanding the foundation of wine selection through your taste preferences.
Before we proceed with our wine suggestions, you must understand your taste preferences. So think about the following before you make your next purchase:
How do you like your wine’s body? Wine body refers to the wine’s richness, weight, and texture and can range from light to full. Light-bodied wines are easy on the mouth with their feather-light feel, while full-bodied ones are a bit more intense and tenacious.
What are your preferences for tannins? Tannins are the compounds that give wines their texture and structure, and they vary with each wine.
What kind of flavor do you like? Think about the flavors you like—do you prefer fruity ones or earthy notes? By choosing which flavor you choose, you can narrow down your choices.
Do you have a preferred acidity? A wine’s acidity gives it zest and freshness, providing you with a sour, tangy taste that makes it a great pair with certain foods.
Finding the perfect wine for each occasion: what combination works best?
Once you’ve answered the questions above, it’s time to look at some wine suggestions and what dishes they’re best paired with.
Pinot noir, or Beaujolais. These two wines fall under the light-bodied category, and as such, they’re pretty versatile and can go with anything. If you want to elevate your home dining and casual dinners, you can pair any of the two with grilled chicken, pasta, or just about any dish.
Cabernet Sauvignon. Contrary to the aforementioned, this wine is full-bodied, offering richness and complexity. It’s a great choice for formal dinners since it complements dishes like lamb, steak, or any hearty meal.
Merlot. This type of wine is somewhere in between; it’s dry, can be medium to full-bodied, and given its soft tannins and moderate to high alcohol content, it gives a smooth and elegant flavor. Merlot is the best choice for romantic evenings, and it works well with dishes that have earthy ingredients in them, such as cured meats, prosciutto, salmon, or tuna.
Shiraz. If you’re looking for a good wine and cheese pairing, then you should include Shiraz among your favorites because it works pretty well with strong cheeses. Aside from cheese, this wine also meshes well with dishes that have intense and rich flavor; anything barbecue, stew, braised meat, and lamb is a great choice too!
At the end of the day, choosing the perfect red wine will always boil down to your palate, and by understanding your preferences and exploring different varieties, you can discover new flavors and create varying combinations that work best for you.