Things to Consider When Choosing Wine

So how should we start? There are five things to consider before making any wine purchase. I will list them, in order of least to most important.

1) What you're eating

I will make a statement later in the guide that dispels the common notion that you drink red wines with meat and white wines with poultry, seafood, vegetables, and soccer moms. However, there is some merit in considering the menu that will be served at whatever event to which you’re bringing the wine.

For example, most red wines are very strong and can over power food. That’s why steak and other hearty foods are paired with red wines – because the hearty foods can stand up to the strong red wine. Now image drinking a really big red wine with a delicate sliver of butter fish. What will you taste? I’ll tell you – you won’t taste the butter fish!

Therefore, it is important to consider what you’re eating. For a barbeque, bring a red wine from California. For Burning Man, bring a white wine (I’m assuming that there will be plenty of vegetarians to hang out with in the desert). You get the picture.

2) What’s the occasion

For example, don’t bring a $200 bottle of French Bordeaux to a weenie roast. Or Two Buck Chuck to your boss’ retirement at the Ritz. We will assist you with this consideration in Part 1.

3) Who’s your audience

This ties in with the previous consideration. You’re hanging with your bros watching a game? Not the best time to crack out the Burgundy.

Remember, when bringing wine to any occasion, you must consider who will be there and consequently consider what they will like to drink. A better bet would be to think about the hosts and what they like to drink. You will never get kicked out of a party by being considerate to the hosts.

4) Your personality

This is where you can make a statement on who you are or what your interests are. You spent a year in the Outback studying cacti? Buy some Australian Shiraz. You hate America? Buy some French Bordeaux. You have an affinity to former landlocked international powers that flamed out in the mid-nineteenth century? There are some lovely Austrian wines for you.

Wines can be a wonderful departure point for interesting and poignant conversations. Let the wine you select represent you and allow you to share more about yourself to your hosts.

5) What you like

Above all else, to thine own self be true. Drink what you like. You like sweet wines? Get some Blue Nun (or real German Reisling). You like cherries jubilee? Get some Cabernet Sauvignon. You don’t like white wine? Get some red wine.

The most important thing here is that you bring wines that you’re happy with and you’re proud of drinking. Your wine is good enough, it’s smart enough, and by gosh people like it!