I'm sure you've been in this situation: You're in a liquor store, or ordering wine online, surrounded by wine bottles that you don't know what to buy. It can be a daunting task if not handled correctly. When you walk into a wine store in California, it feels like all wine knowledge has gone away, this is super normal.
But what makes a wine “good”? The answer is subjective, and everyone's definition of the perfect wine will be different. You do not need to be a wine expert to find a good bottle of wine in a wine store in California. The first step in buying a good wine would be to find a real wine store. I know there are plenty of these wine stores in Santa Rosa.
There are many things to consider while purchasing wine, but these tips should help you make an informed decision.
Know your taste!
Many people enjoy drinking wine without knowing what they like about the taste. Start by knowing your preferences, what flavor profile do you love or hate?
Understanding your preferences will help you know which wine is right for you. For example, consider the sweetness level, then body and oakiness, etc. Do you often find yourself liking these things? If so, now is the time to tell your wine store staff that you want dry oaky wine.
Did you know that before visiting a wine store, it is important to do some research on wines that interest you? Or if there's one bottle in particular that really strikes your fancy - write down what has made this special. This can help to narrow down the choices. By giving your favorite wines as a reference point when shopping for new ones, wine stores salesperson can point you in the right direction so time at the wine store will be more enjoyable than confusion. If the store doesn't have a suitable bottle of wine for you which is not very possible, don't worry! You can order wine online with just one click and they'll ship it right over there to your house in no time at all (or even sooner).
Consider the occasion, barbecue or a celebration?
The perfect choice will depend entirely upon the occasion! Maybe you want to enjoy a nice glass of wine on your own this evening, or maybe it's time for some impromptu entertaining and needs something versatile. If you are choosing wine for an occasion that many people will attend, go for a moderate wine that everyone would enjoy. Like George, R.R.Martin said “Wine makes all things possible.”, and there is a wine for everyone.
Are you going to pair it with a meal? The goal of a great dinner party is to find the best wine for your meal to provide an even more enjoyable experience. When choosing what type and how much, several guidelines can help make this process easier.
For example:
A great starter choice would be an easy-drinking white such as Chardonnay, or sparkling. Salty foods like tacos should be matched with light fruit-forward wines which have low alcohol levels, low tannic with moderate acidity ones. Or a sour salad goes very well with an acidic, cool climate Riesling. If Shiraz, with a spice flavor like black pepper, is paired with black pepper marinated and grilled beef, a great match occurs as long as none of them are overpowered.
Price
Of course, you prefer to buy the best bottle of wine possible. But just because it's more expensive doesn't mean that your choice will be better!
When buying wine in a wine store or online, don't let the price be your main concern! You might think that if the wine is on sale, it must be of lower quality or won’t still taste great. Maybe only the store is trying to get rid of their inventory. These sales can even allow you to find your perfect wine.
You should also consider buying wine with a screw cap because a cork enclosure is not an indication of quality. Even they have been used as a traditional wine stopper until the 1300s. There are quite a lot of premium wines with screw caps too.
Now that you know more about how to choose a wine for your occasion, it's time for some serious drinking! One way to do this right would be visiting Bottlebarn Liquor Shop in Santa Rosa, California (15k sq/ft available) where they have everything from boutique wines by smaller producers all the way up top tier names are known throughout the world or decide to order wine online, our resources can help you choose a good wine.
Still, have no idea? Visit our blog Wine Buyer's Selection: 12 Wines to Drink Now!
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