HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD WINE
How to choose one good wine? This is a question that concerns all wine lovers and non-wine lovers as wine labels in Greece are increasing. We see new wines almost every day from well-known producers but also from new producers that we hear for the first time. Entering a good wine cellar , in one good eshop or even in the supermarket we see a wide range of wines, in all shades of white, red and rosé, from the most economical to very expensive wines. How to choose the best wine?
1. Asking you go to the City
The easiest and fastest way to choose a good wine is to ask someone who knows more about wine than you do. For example the employee of the wine cellar or the customer service of an eshop or even a friend or acquaintance who knows a few things about wine. If we provide the employee of the cellar with the necessary information such as some wines that we have tried and we like, with what food we will accompany it, how much money we are willing to spend etc then it will definitely suggest us 2-3 good wines that we will probably like. Besides, let’s not forget that the sense of taste is subjective and not everybody has the same taste.
2. With what food will we accompany our wine?
The most important thing to consider before choosing a wine is what food to accompany it as not all wines match all foods. With the right food we can better understand and enjoy the special aromas and taste of a wine. So if the menu includes beef with red sauce, a heavier food, then an aged red wine would fit perfectly. But if the menu includes risotto with seafood in white sauce then the best choice is some cool white wine.
3. What year should I choose?
Before deciding which year to choose you will first have to carefully observe the storage conditions. If you are in a wine cellar and the place where the wines are kept is not cool even in summer then maybe you should go to another wine cellar. The wines need proper storage conditions such as a temperature of about 17 degrees and adequate humidity. If there are the right conditions then you can proceed to the selection of the year. If you want red wine then the older the better. Of course depending on the wine as some wines are not capable of long-term aging. Also keep in mind that the older the more expensive it will be. If on the other hand you have chosen a white or rosé wine then it is better to choose the previous year. That is, now we are in 2016 so the best would be a white wine of 2015 as usually white wines are not subject to aging and those that are capable require special aging conditions.
4. Always look carefully at the label
It is good to choose wines from well-known producers unless someone else has suggested us the cellar clerk. It is also good to choose wines that have the word “PDO” on their label, which means ” protected designation of origin ” and to look at the origin of the wine. Finally, many labels show the awards that each wine has received in Greece and abroad.
5. What variety to choose?
The choice of the variety of each wine depends on the taste preferences of each person as each variety has its own special characteristics. In each bottle, in its description, you will see the wine variety and its features. It is good to choose a wine that has only one variety and not a combination of varieties, for example 100% Agiorgitiko. However, this is not absolute as there are wines that have perfectly married 2 or even 3 varieties.
These are the basics that everyone should know before buying a bottle wine. Do not forget that we must open the bottle of wine at least half an hour before consumption to let it breathe properly to enjoy its special aromas. If we pour it in a jug, then it is even better. Some aged red wines even need 2 hours to breathe before drinking them.
An easy way to know if the wine we have chosen is really good wine is to notice if it leaves tears in the glass when served. If it does leave tears, then congratulations, you have chosen a high quality wine! Unfortunately, in recent years there are many wines of poor quality on the market and special attention is needed when we buy a bottle of wine. Besides, let’s not forget that life is too short to drink bad wine !
