How to pick a bottle of wine

5 Things to Consider when Choosing a Bottle of Wine

With so much wine on offer it’s difficult to choose or even remember the names, vintages and appellations in order to figure out what you want.

That’s why, when you stand in front of a shelf in a wine shop trying to read the label, it can sometimes be a little intimidating.

You might then end up buying a safe option that you’ve tried over and over or taking a gamble and spending a lot of money on something that’s ‘reassuringly expensive’.

You don’t need to be a wine connoisseur to pick a bottle of wine at the grocery store to go with your dinner. You don’t need to be an expert to find something you like. Don’t forget that all the information you need to narrow your search is provided on the wine label.

I believe that price is not necessarily synonymous with high quality but at the same time the wow factor is hard to find under a budget of £10.

Accolades on bottles from official wine magazines such as Decanter or Wine Spectator or praise from professional critics such as Robert Parker or James Suckling, illustrate that the wine meets certain standards and is likely to be of a better quality.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that a particular wine is going to be your favourite!

I’m going to show you how to choose a great wine by yourself, without relying on other professional organisations or expert opinions.

1- Keep climate in mind.

The cooler the climate, the tarter and more acidic the wine will be. The warmer the climate, the fruitier and sweeter the wine will be.

This is why a Pinot Noir from Burgundy can taste completely different from a Pinot Noir from Marlborough.

2- Look for organic or biodynamic wines.

Make sure you look out for the organic or biodynamic logos, for example:

In reality a great quality wine depends on the grapes and where and how they’re grown. The climate, the terroir, the viticulture. If you buy organic or biodynamic wines, you’ll choose a wine that was made respecting nature, without pesticides or any other artificial compounds.

3- Check the ABV.

The level of alcohol is listed on every bottle and it can give you a good hint of the body of the wine.

The ABV (Alcohol by Volume) is determined by how ripe the grapes are at the moment of the harvest so the higher the ABV, the richer the wine.

If you enjoy big, bold wines, pick a wine with 13% ABV or higher. On the other hand, if you prefer light dry wines, stick to choices with an ABV lower than 13%.

4- Read the back of the label.

Sometimes wine labels display tasting notes which may assist you with your final decision.

5- Check the vintage.

When you’re in a supermarket, always check the vintage (the year that refers to the harvest of the grapes) and favour younger wines.

Remember, wines need particular care when it comes to long- term storage and grocery stores don’t always meet the adequate standards to store old bottles of wine.

Worst case scenario, ask for help! If you’re totally lost on what to select for yourself, ask for help from member of staff or drop me an email and I will be happy to provide you with some guidance to build you knowledge and confidence.

How to pick a bottle of wine

5 Things to Consider when Choosing a Bottle of Wine

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