Walking into a wine store can be a daunting experience. With so many styles from regions all over the world, finding the right wine for the right occasion is no easy feat. At Wine Mine, we want you to have the best experience possible when wine shopping. Here are five tips to get you in and out of the store, and on your way to that perfect glass of wine.
1. Learn the Basics
The first thing to know when picking out a bottle of wine from the liquor store is the style of wine that you want. Knowing the difference between a white and a red is only the first step, as a pinot grigio and a pinot noir are two completely different wines. It also helps to know the basics, such as color/appearance, aroma and taste/mouthfeel.
2. Opt to Pair Wine with Food
Wine has the ability to bring out the best flavors of your meal when paired correctly. Whether you’re looking to pair a wine with a charcuterie or dinner hot off the grill, there’s a wine for every meal. Depending on the variety, wine has the ability to complement the main flavors in your dish, showcase the spice characteristics of your food and much more.
3. Plan Ahead
Choosing a wine style ahead of time will help you navigate through the store with more ease. Think about the occasion in which you will be drinking the wine: Will it go with dinner? Are you celebrating with friends and/or family? Planning on staying in and having a casual glass after work? The reason for the purchase will help determine the style and amount that you want to spend.
4. Read the Label
A wine provides you with a plethora of information. All bottles in the U.S. are required to provide the wine producer and brand name, as well as the alcohol content, net content, sulfite declaration and government warning.
While all of this is important information, several of these might not help with the decision-making process. Aside from style, the region that the wine came from is also important. While you may have made your mind up on a sauvignon blanc, you might find that you prefer one from New Zealand as opposed to California.
5. Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help!
At Wine Mine, our experienced staff is ready to help you find the perfect bottle of wine for any occasion. Coming to the store prepared to look for a specific style and armed with some wine vocabulary will definitely help our staff. Nonetheless, we enjoy talking wine with our customers and want to make sure that you leave the store with the right bottle of wine.
We also offer wine tastings every Thursday from 4pm-7pm. If you’re interested in trying a wine before you buy, then our wine tastings are the perfect time to stop by!