3 Things to Know About Wine

There’s lots to know about wine, but I think I will start with 3 basic tips.

1. Price is not always an indication of quality

There was a time when I also thought that the higher the price, the better the wine. That’s not the case. As a Sommelier, I have had the opportunity to try some higher priced wines. I didn’t always favor the expensive wines. Now there are some pricey wines I enjoy, I’ve mentioned them in this blog. However, for the most part, I enjoy wines at an affordable price point. One of the things I learned along the way, was just because a wine has a higher price tag, doesn’t mean it suits your palate. When I started this wine blog, it’s goal was to let you know about great wines under the $25 range. With the recent price hikes in wine, we may have to move that gauge up to $30.

2. Labels can tell you a lot

Your wine label tells you more than just the alcohol content and the winery it came from. The grape varietal is important, because different wine regions tend to make that grape taste very different. Pinot Noir from Burgundy France will taste differently than Pinot Noir from California. The same would be true with the white grape Chardonnay. For starters, the California wine may have the oak more pronounced, whereas France tends to use oak in a more subtle way. New world wines (ie California) also tend to be more fruit forward, whereas old world wines (ie France) are more earthy.

3. The Majority of Wine in the store is mean to be consumed within 3 Years.

And that applies to both reds and whites. Not all red wines are meant to age. 90% are meant to be enjoyed right away. And if you find your young red wine is a bit sharp tasting, and those tannins are a little tight, aerate it. I had this issue with the new wine I tried last night. I did a lot of swirling in the glass to open up those flavors, and let the bottle breathe, and what a difference it made.

Here’s the wine I had last night.

So I was meeting up with several friends from my building in our common room, and I opened the wine before I went down. I guess I made a face, because one of my friends said ‘Not good?’ I replied, it just needs to breathe for a bit. It was sharp. This is a 2019 blend of Tempranillo and Syrah from Spain. It’s an intense old world wine, and old world wines do not tend to be as fruit forward as wines from California, Chile and Argentina. This was complex though and once it was aerated, some interesting tasting notes came through. It was a warm wine, that I feel would pair well with some of your favorite comfort foods. And it’s on clearance at my local store, selling for $17 a bottle.

Speaking of comfort food

Are you enjoying some of your favorite comfort foods. I am, and I’m trying to balance healthy and comfort. I have put back on some of the weight I lost while battling cancer, and with cooler temperatures, hearty meals and great wines, well, like I said it’s a balance.

That’s it for this week. Till next week, Cheers

Darlene