You are invited to a friend’s house. You know they enjoy fine wine, but you have not a clue how to tell a good wine from something extraordinary. Besides, your budget does not allow $50 or $75 for a hostess gift. On the other hand, you sure would like to show them you have some class.
Take heart. Buying good wine on a budget is easier than you think. In fact, you might even end up with your hosts asking you for wine buying advice. All it takes is a basic understanding of common wines coupled with a reliable authority – and you are set to impress.
Understanding Common Wines
Before you can buying good wine on a budget, you need to understand some wine basics. Wines come in red or white. Reds offer a bolder, stronger flavor. White are more subtle; sometimes tart, sometimes sweet.
Common White Wines
– Chenin Blanc ranges from dry to very sweet and goes well with salad, seafood, white meats, and mild to spicy rice dishes.
– Gewurtztraminer comes in sweet or dry varieties and pares well with spicy dishes and Asian foods.
– Pinot Blanc is a light wine with fruity flavors over a mineral or smokey undertone. It goes well with seafood, light sauces, cheese dishes, and lightly flavored meats.
– Pinot Grigio (or Pinot Gris) is straw colored with a honey or smokey base and fruity overtones. It complements seafood, cheese and cracker combinations, and light pasta dishes.
– Riesling combines fruity and floral flavors which compliment a wide variety of food including pork, fish, poultry, and spicy foods.
– Chardonnay is a popular white wine. Boasting a rich citrus flavor and full body, Chardonnay goes well with most fish and chicken dishes.
– Sauvignon Blanc is a light wine with herbal undertones and fruit accents. It will compliment seafood, chicken, or salads.
Common Red Wines
– Shiraz (Syrah) bursts with wild black fruit flavors, black pepper undertones, and gripping tannins. It pairs well with beef and wild game.
– Merlot blends well with any food. Often boasting plum, blackberry, and herb scents, Merlot has a less tannic flavor than Cabernet.
– Cabernet Sauvignon compliments simply prepared red meat. Considered a ‘gripping’ wine, good Cabernet is full-bodied.
– Pinot Noir is one of the few red wines which goes well with salmon or chicken. It also compliments lamb. Similar to Cabernet, its tannins are softer and fruit flavors obvious.
– Malbec is typically an easy drinking wine with spice, berry, and plum undertones. It pairs well with most meat based meals.
– Zinfandel comes in great variety – from blush to rich red. This versatile wine has a zesty berry flavor which compliments heavier entrees like tomato-sauce pasta dishes.
Wine Buying Authorities
Wines are bottle annually. While some wines benefit from shelf life, others are completely destroyed. Of course a true wine connoisseur knows how various grapes, and even various vineyards effect a bottle’s shelf life. You just want a great deal on a great bottle of wine.
There is lesson to be learned here. You cannot expect to buy a great wine based on old suggestions. Thus it is important to find a current source, run by professional wine tasters, which you can rely on to point you in the right direction.
There are three professional wine tasters who will give you advice – for free! Wine Spectator, The Wine Enthusiast, and Wine Advocate magazines can teach you more than you ever wanted to know about wine. While each magazine obviously wants you to subscribe to their magazine, each offers some free, simple information to help you pick a great budget bottle of wine.
Many wine lovers consider Wine Spectator the best of the best. Whether you agree or not, they are generous with free information on their website. On the middle right side of their home page, they offer you Free Wine Spectator Ratings grouped by price. Click on your budget range and you have instant access to taste approved delights.
The Wine Advocate also offers insight into what is currently considered great wine. Click on the link, “Weekly Wine Buys”, in the left column under the heading Quick Links. This lists the wines by rating, not price. Although this list is not as straight forward for our purposes, it is still a valuable resource.
The Wine Enthusiast does not give as much away, but they do offer a “What We Are Tasting” link in the upper right column. Although the featured wine may not be in your price bracket, most featured wines are at least moderately priced – and all are considered among the best on the market.
Good wine does not have to break your budget. Inexpensive wine does not have to taste cheap. Some quick research before you head to the market will help you pick a bottle of wine which will be enjoyed by one and all.
