You don't have to be a wine expert to learn how to enjoy wine. The first step is not to fear the field of wine!
Although it may seem complex, buying wine online and tasting different offerings is fun and easy - once you overcome a few hurdles.
Let's go through some of the common obstacles people face when they first start learning about wine and how to solve them!
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Not knowing where to start
You know that you like a wine when tasting it, but you do not usually pay attention to details such as the vintage or the grape varieties. At most, you know two or three production areas and a few wineries. The first thing you should do is identify which wine style you like to buy.
For example, there are red wine, white wine, or rosé; young or with some age, especially for red wine bottles; which grape varieties you like most, etc. Don’t look to become an expert, but find out what type of wine you like the most to enjoy it more and from there, start trying new things.
Too many appellations and a multitude of brands
The large number of wine-producing countries is overwhelming, including appellations of origin, labels, etc. At first, just try paying attention to the wine’s origins, always indicated on the label, and if you like it, try more from that area or producer!
Lack of training
Today the Internet is an inexhaustible source of information and training, but as everyone knows, not everything that can be found provides quality information.
Complicated terminology
Words such as terroir, coupage, cru, tannin, and sulphites, which are used so much in the wine world, are not usually used in colloquial language and can intimidate the uninitiated. It’s easy to find many wine dictionaries and web pages with glossaries on the world of wine that will help you familiarize yourself with all these terms quickly.
Fear of appearing ignorant
As we said at the start, you don’t have to aspire to be an expert, so you should not feel inferior to those who presume to be great connoisseurs of wine. Wine blogs and forums, as well as social networks, are places where you can find people who can advise you or answer your questions, as well as others who, like you, are learning.
The myth that everything good is expensive
Fortunately, today it is possible to buy wine online at excellent prices, and in the wine store USA, we have many examples of this, including the vast wine selection at Bottle Barn.
Trouble distinguishing aromas and flavours
This is one of the most common comments when reading wine tasting notes: "Where does the taster get the aroma of ripe fruit, coffee or mountain herbs?" A useful exercise in learning to identify these nuances is to smell them separately. Small containers can be prepared at home with some of the most common aromas: a little ground coffee, freshly cut grass, ripe red plums, tobacco... When tasting, you must remember that these aromas are usually very subtle, and you will learn to identify them little by little with practice.
There are many 'wines' in wine: Any palate can notice notable differences between different types of wine, depending on the grape variety, the climate where it was grown, the know-how of the winery, etc. Just start comparing!
How do I start learning about wine?
As simple as it may sound, the first step to learning wine is appreciating what you like and don't like. From there you can slowly start to do the following.
Tasting a wine
It is not necessary to be an expert to taste wine, it is enough to sharpen our senses to capture its characteristics better and describe them to ourselves (in your own words). Little by little, you will distinguish more and more aspects of each wine.
Then you can move on to experiment with pairing wine and food. Combining wine with food is an art, but that should not hold you back! It is best to learn through practice. The flavours of the wine and food should reinforce rather than counteract each other.
Choose the best wine
The most expensive wine is not always the best. An expensive wine assures a certain quality, but it is not always the best option. It depends greatly on your tastes and how you will consume it. Order wine online, and you will find quality examples at all price points. Then taste and cultivate your own criteria when evaluating a wine.
Four basic elements impact wine quality:
- The land: The soil provides specific characteristics to the wine.
- The climate: The warmer, the more powerful the wine will be, and it will have more body and alcohol. And the colder, the more acidic and refreshing.
- The varietal or type of grape: The grape variety is essential when determining the character of a wine. To better understand the world of wine, it is also necessary to consider the varietal to make the best fruit wines.
- Production: Once the grapes have been harvested each year, the know-how of the oenologist is decisive in obtaining a quality wine. The fermentation temperature, the filtering and clarification process, the possible mixture of varietals, the type of barrel used for ageing, etc.
Through tasting and reading, you will come to understand how each element results in quality changes in the wine you are drinking.
Learning about wine is a journey and a never-ending one. But that’s part of the fun! Don’t feel intimated by a lack of wine knowledge. The best way to learn is through practice, and that means buying wine online and trying out some new ones! Take notes, feel the acidity, sugars, and tannins in your mouth; compare aromas and flavour with fruits, plants, and spices you already know! There is no right or wrong answer!
Are you ready to take it to the next level? Learn how to make a wine cellar at your home with our guide!
Want to learn more about wine and other exquisite drinks? Follow us on Instagram @honestfoodtalks to get the latest knowledge tips!
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