Even the most experienced wine connoisseurs have made mistakes when buying, tasting, drinking, and storing wine. We learn through making mistakes and discovering better ways to do things. However, knowledge is power. You might be able to avoid making common wine mistakes by being aware of the most common ones:
Not Researching Varieties
Walking into a liquor store or cellar door can be an overwhelming experience when you don’t know what you like and what’s available. Don’t be afraid to research well-known vineyards like Cakebread Cellars to familiarize yourself with the many different wine varieties available in your area.
When you become familiar with varieties like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, you can understand the different flavor profiles and vintages, potentially helping you to make a more informed purchasing choice.
Ignoring Your Own Preferences
We can get so caught up in positive feedbacks and recommendations that we neglect our own personal preferences. Someone else liking a particular variety doesn’t mean you will.
While there’s no harm in reading feedbacsk, as many people do, don’t let someone else’s opinion overshadow your own. If you know you typically prefer red wine over white wine or vice versa, don’t be afraid to choose a bottle of that variety.
Not Considering Food Pairings
Your enjoyment of a particular wine variety can sometimes depend on the food you’re eating. Some wines pair more harmoniously with certain dishes than others. For example, delicate seafood typically pairs well with light white wines, whereas rich red pasta sauces can dance on the palate with full-bodied red wines.
If you plan to serve wine with food at a dinner party, let your planned menu guide your wine-purchasing choices. You may find it much easier to choose the perfect wine when you have a planned menu in mind.
Only Focusing on Price
Wine prices can vary from country to country. Still, you’ll likely be hunting a bargain no matter where you live. While it can be tempting to purchase the most affordable bottle on the liquor store shelf, there’s more to consider than price alone. You must also consider the producer, the vintage, and the wine variety’s desirability. Focusing on price alone may see you purchasing a wine you and your guests don’t enjoy.
Not Storing Your Wine Properly
Being a new wine drinker can sometimes mean you lack in-depth knowledge of best storage practices. It can be easy to make storage mistakes that impact how palatable your chosen wine is. Casual wine drinkers purchasing ‘everyday’ wine can store their bottles in a dark place with a small amount of humidity and a cool temperature. Keep bottles away from heat sources and out of direct light.
If you have opened bottles left over from your dinner guests, you can recork these and put them into the refrigerator. Ensure they’re stored upright to minimize how much surface area is exposed to oxygen.
There’s more to wine buying than meets the eye. If you’re gearing up for a special dinner party or want to buy the perfect bottle for a friend, keep the information above in mind. It may just help you purchase the most suitable wine for your unique needs.
