Choosing a Wine

Do you struggle with choosing wine at a restaurant? Bar? Or lounge?

By definition, wine is: the alcoholic fermented juice of fresh grapes used as a beverage. (Merriamwebster.com) But we know this already. To me, wine is a story about the earth, its elements, human touch and care told from various points of view, all bottled up and just waiting for the right moment to tell us about its adventures. Wine has many stories to share which is why there are so many different varietals to choose from!

Here I’ll share with you my preferences for best choices depending on where you are and what/if you’re eating.

Restaurant/Bar/Lounge and Eating:
Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon and any Italian wine!
Whites: Chardonnay and Sancerre (French)

Restaurant and NOT Eating:
Red: Pinot Noir and Merlot
Whites: Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay

That’s a lot to choose from. True, and a lot depends on what you’re eating. I usually will ask for a taste of two or so wines before deciding on one.

A good rule of thumb when looking at the wine list is to notice the way the wines are listed on the menu. Usually the restaurant will put the lighter and milder wines on top, and the heavier, bolder wines at the bottom.

Remember, middle of the road menus of wines will have medium bodied wines or wines that are not too overpowering for your meal. If you’re not eating and want a big juicy wine, go for the Cabernet Sauvignon–and enjoy the luscious story it has to tell! It goes great with a burger, too.

By the way, Italian red wine goes with almost every food choice, too. The Italians made their wines specifically for enjoying with food, so I always pick Italian when I’m on the fence.

Worst case, if you don’t recognize any wines or cannot make up your mind, I always ask the waitstaff or sommelier for some help. They are usually knowledgeable, eager to help, and can tell a compelling story to entice your palette!