Watching all those romantic comedies has taught us that no date will be perfect until you open a bottle of wine. Meeting others on a date can be really awkward, especially when you don’t know each other well. However, wine is a perfect remedy! Even one glass can loosen up your tongue and make both of you more comfortable. But how are you supposed to choose the perfect one?
Fortunately, you can just read the guide we prepared below. Here, you will learn the important wine characteristics that can affect its taste and your experience.
However, remember that good wine comes at a high price. To not spend all your savings, it can help to monitor the wine market (for example, on https://www.ackerwines.com/markets) and buy a few bottles when the prices go low. But before buying, read on and make sure you know everything about choosing the perfect wine.
Color
The color of the wine is critical in differentiating varieties. The color will also give you a hint about the flavor. For example, darker wines tend to be more full-bodied and complex. Meanwhile, lighter wines are usually more crisp and refreshing. Additionally, the color can often be used to determine the alcohol content.
In addition to this, you must also know that the color of the wine can change depending on your lighting situation. It may appear darker in candlelight than it does in daylight, for instance. Hence, if you are buying a wine blind online, you should always look for images with contrasting light sources.
Taste
Once you have learned how to differentiate the color of wine, it is time to move on to taste. This is where the most common characteristics of wine come into play. The taste will also depend on what type of food you are eating and whether or not there will be a cheese course afterward. This means that every experience will be different and unique.
For example, if you are having a fancy dinner with an appetizer of seafood or salmon, you can choose a white wine that has some citrus notes in it. The citrus flavors will add a refreshing twist to both your seafood dish and your palate. Similarly, if you are eating something spicy or a meal with tomatoes, you can go for a red wine with heavy tannins and fruit notes. The tannins will help cut through the spiciness or the acidity of the tomatoes.
When it comes to dessert, you should definitely choose a sweet wine. And if you have a simple cheese course, choose a medium-bodied white wine with some herbal notes or apple flavors.
The best way to make sure you have chosen a wine that is exactly what you want is by reading reviews about it online or asking for recommendations from experts.
Body
The body of the wine is directly related to its texture – simply speaking, how rich and thick the wine feels in your mouth. It also tells you how long the taste will linger in your mouth after you swallow the wine.
If you are looking for a lighter wine that won’t coat your tongue too much, you should choose one with a low body. However, if you want a richer wine that leaves an intense flavor on your palate for a longer period of time, go for a wine with a high body.
Tannins
One of the most important factors when choosing the right wine for yourself is the tannin content. Tannins will give your mouth a dry sensation which can be pleasant or unpleasant depending on your personal preference. You are a beginner in choosing wine, consider getting one with medium tannins so that they don’t overpower your palate too much and cause an unpleasant sensation.
Acidity Level
Acidity levels refer to how sour or tart the wine feels in your mouth. If it is an excessively acidic wine, it will feel sharp and harsh on your palate. However, if it is slightly acidic or has balanced acids, then your first sip will be refreshing and pleasant. The best way to find out if a wine is slightly acidic is to ask someone who has tried it before or simply taste it yourself.
Body Temperature
When choosing the right type of wine for yourself, make sure that you take its temperature into consideration as well. The higher temperature the wine has, the more flavourful it will taste. However, going too far can ruin the wine entirely.
For example, very chilled white wines can taste dull or flat, although they were once delicious. And too warm wine can often taste a little spoiled. When choosing, check the wine’s serving temperature, and act accordingly.
Conclusion
Now that you have all the information you need about choosing the right wine, it’s time to put it into practice. Make sure you don’t just read the article and then forget everything. For example, a wine tasting is a great way to learn about the different characteristics of wine, so we recommend booking one in your area. This way, you will gain more confidence in choosing the right one next time you go shopping.
However, if you need something ASAP for dinner tonight, we are sure that with our tips, you will choose the perfect wine. Good luck.
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