OK, if you are not the proverbial “wine snob” that’s quite all right. I’ll help you navigate your way down the wine aisle!
Long before I entered the world of event planning, there was a time when I didn’t know the difference between merlot and cabernet. In fact, I remember being on a first date with my then-girlfriend when she asked me to suggest a wine off the dinner menu. In a bold effort not to look like a fool, I selected the easiest thing to pronounce ( I mispronounced it anyway) and asked the server for a bottle. I lucked out and the wine was actually pretty good. Long story short…the girl never worked out, but it prompted me to start my wine education.
What I learned was actually pretty simple. If it tastes good, buy it. The biggest mistake that I had made as a novice wine drinker was assuming that if the bottle was expensive it had to be good. That’s a farce. There a lot of fantastic $10 wines out there. It’s a matter of finding what works for you. They best way to do that is to go to a wine tasting. You’ll learn about all the different types of wine and how to describe what they taste like. The following is wine jargon that’ll help shoot you in the right direction.
- CRISP- It’s summery, grassy. Think green apples, tart fruits, and citrus flavors. It’s always white (Example: Sauvignon Blanc.)
- BUBBLY- Sparkling wine, which should not be confused with champagne, is actually made from grapes that hail from the Champagne region of France. Bubbly wines are more dramatic (i.e. popping corks, lots of fizz), and although the flavor depends on the quality of wine you buy, they are usually fresh.
- BOLD- Rich, deep red wines that are full-bodied and complex. Usually dark fruits, figs, dates, and raisins are flavors that typify bold wines. (Cabernets and Pinot Noir are bold wines.)
- SMOOTH- It would never make your mouth pucker. It’s a casual wine, good for conversation while sitting on the patio watching the sunset. Chardonnay is a smooth white wine and is the most commonly sipped substance in America. Merlot is a popular red wine that’s very smooth as well.
- Most grown red grapes worldwide: Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Most grown white grapes worldwide: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay.
- Roses are neither red nor white. They are pink and very European. The best ones come from Provence and from Tavel in the southeast of France. They’re best to drink young and are usually tart and fruity. Do not confuse a fine Rose with a cheap White Zinfandel. White Zinfandel is for frat parties.
- French wines are listed by the region they come from; in other words, Bordeaux, Beaujolais, and Champagne are areas in France.
- Heat kills wine, so store it in cool, dry areas and never leave it in your car during a hot day!
- Opt to buy a bottle from a specialty wine boutique or grocery store rather than a liquor store where the wine has sat on the shelf for a long time and the temperature of the store has fluctuated so much that it ruined the wine.
- It’s better to buy the cheapest bottle of the best brand rather than the best bottle of a cheap brand for the same price.
A few years ago I was hired as the event planner for the grand opening of an upscale nightclub in South Beach. Once the club was setup, I wandered outside to see the guest outcome. As I approached the guest line, I heard one of the guests ask the doorman if they served Mumm Champagne, as if it were the end all be all. The doorman condescendingly replied “Oh, we serve much better champagne than that”. Now Mumm is not bad of course, but it is certainly not the most coveted bottle ever. Here is a simple breakdown of the six most popular brands so you won’t find yourself in the above scenario.
- VEUVE CLICQUOT- A classic label that used to be obscure, but became chic after a huge marketing campaign in the 1990s. Now, it’s served at most restaurants, at the opera, and events everywhere. It’s delicate and aromatic. But, like all things that become super trendy, the quality isn’t what it used to be.
- MOET & CHANDON- One of the most popular brands in the United States. Moet & Chandon is very expensive and very well made. It’s a bit stronger and muskier in flavor than Veuve Clicquot. Dom Perignon is the top champagne made by Moet & Chandon; it’s the bottle people always order in movies when someone wants to celebrate or splurge.
- PERRIER-JOUET- With its beautiful Art Deco bottle decorated with flowers, this champagne looks fabulous on any cocktail table.
- LOUIS ROEDERER- A posh, old fashioned house that’s known for its purist take on champagne, with a taste that is balanced and never musky. This company also makes Cristal, an exclusive champagne originally created for the czar of Russia.
- KRUG-a flavorful number that’s very expensive and very worth it.
- MUMM- It’s cheap, cheap, cheap, bit it will do the trick.
- BRUT- A champagne style that has little or no sugar and is therefore dry.
- CUVEE- A blend of many still wines that are designed to become sparkling wines.
- RESERVE-Wines from the previous vintages, added to the Cuvee for consistent quality and style.
- ROSE- Champagne with a slightly pink tint that comes from either the addition of a small amount of red wine to the Cuvee or contact with the red grape skins.
- VINTAGE- This refers to the year in which the grapes were harvested, and in the rarified world of champagne, a bottle is only declared vintage if it came from an exceptional year.
By: Michael Bassolino
