Help With Finding the Perfect Wine

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

Gina at the American Sommelier Association offers the following guidelines to help you with your holiday wine shopping. Some of this may seem self-evident to an old hand, but for those who are new to the world of wine, there is some good information here.

Pay particular attention to the admonition about price and quality. TWC's rule number eleven looms large. I've had wines that cost three times as much that weren't as good as this inexpensive wine I'm drinking tonight. The converse is true as well.

Case in point: Over the last several weeks I've sampled about a dozen wines in the under ten dollar range. Three or four of them were simply awful. Three or four of them were very good. The others were quite satisfactory for Wednesday night with Simon and the X Factor.

And now, here's Gina:

A great wine can make the perfect addition to a festive party or a quiet dinner at home. However, with so many varietals and vintages available, walking into a store to purchase wine can be overwhelming. American Sommelier has a few simple tips to guide you to the perfect bottle of wine every time.

• Know What You Like: Be conscious of the qualities that you enjoy in a red or white wine and relay those specifics when speaking with the wine shop staff by adding words such as: dry, fruity, crisp, bold, full bodied, soft, tannic and oaky. Noting that you prefer a juicy wine made with dark red fruits that are jammy can lead the expert to the “new world” portion of the store’s list.

• From a Discussion to the Perfect Wine: Provide advisors with as many indicators as you are able to allow them to guide you through the wine list. This could range from the type of event you are buying for to the different wines you have enjoyed or disliked in the past. The more concrete information you can provide, the better the staff will be able to pinpoint your perfect wine.

• Price Doesn’t Equal Quality: Exceptional wines come at all prices. Know and stick to the price point you are comfortable with and be firm. The staff member at the wine store will be able to guide you to the ideal wine no matter your budget.

Be the sommelier of your own home by serving a bottle of wine that is ideal for your tastes and the event you’re hosting. By asking the right questions and knowing what you like, a fitting bottle of wine is easily attainable.

Cheers and warm Thanksgiving wishes.

As Always,

The Wine Commonsewer