Five Tips for Picking the Perfect Wine

It’s Friday night and you have dinner plans with friends. You are making a meal that consists of fish as a main course and pork as an option. Wine will be served; you know that white usually goes with fish and red generally meat. So what option should you serve with the pork? What if not everyone likes white wine? Even if you don’t have the financial backing of say CEO at Infor you can still find a fantastic wine to go with any meal.

• Inspect the Bottle- While you are at the store standing in front of the wine case stop for a minute and look at the different bottles. Different vineyards bottle a certain way for certain wines. Pick a bottle out and see if the bottle is heavy or light. Does the glass feel thick or thin? Is the bottle firmly corked or have a cap? Many fine wines are bottled in broader, heavier bottles with wider necks and a deep indentation in the bottom to collect sediment. Simpler wines will have a bottle without these special features. 
• Labeling- The most important signal about the winery is the label. The label will communicate the style of the house. Try to get a sense of what the label is saying? Does the label look like a Coke ad? Is it homemade?  Is it colorful, illustrated, or written with fancy script? This is all about getting a sense of the wine inside. As consumers we make decisions every day based on labels. Go with instinct and choose a wine with a label that appeals to you.
• Review before you buy- You don’t just go to a car lot and pick out the first car you see. Choosing a wine by the label is no different. Read some internet reviews, what do people say about the wine? What type is it? Where are the grapes grown? What type of vintage is it? The more informed you are, the better decision you can make.
• Comparison is King- If you have gotten this far you should have narrowed down your selection quite a bit. How much bang are you getting for your buck? Many countries like Australia, Chile, Argentina, and Spain tend to offer a better price and quality than other places like California or France. Try to choose a wine that is going to give you the best flavor for the cheapest price.
• Buy like a Boss- Decision time.  Buying and drinking wine is supposed to be fun. It is a social drink. If you are heading to party, grab your host and bring them into the kitchen with you. When you uncork the wine smell it and say something about it. Then pass the bottle to your host, have them give some comments about it also. Ask other people around you what they think. Make a game out of it.

Hopefully these tips have helped you feel a bit more comfortable in the wide and exciting world of wine. There are so many unique and exciting varieties out there. Try and choose a new one when you can. Remember the entire experience is about having fun and trying something new.