So, you find yourself having been invited to a dinner party and decided to bring the host a bottle of wine. But which type of wine should you buy? I am sure you have seen people seemingly bewildered in front of the wine shelves at the local grocery or liquor store. You have seen them, staring dumbly with no idea what wine to pick out. After you read this article, you can be assured you will never be one of those people.
Choosing a wine can be a tricky decision. You want your selection to please as many people as possible including your host. If you know ahead what is on the menu, the choice becomes easier. The general guidelines are as follows:
- Light-bodied wines complement light food.
- Full-bodied wines are needed when pairing with hearty food.
However, in the situation where you do not know the menu, it is ok as there are a few other key items to consider.
Host Preference
It is very important to consider the host. If you know the host well, you may want to select a bottle that suits his or her individual preferences. If you're less familiar with your host's favorites, select a popular wine variety such as Chardonnay or Merlot.
You can further customize the choice by selecting a wine that matches the recipient?s personality or intended usage. Are they more likely to open the bottle soon or age it in their cellar? Will they savor it during an everyday dinner or bring it out to impress friends? Do they have a fondness towards a particular wine or growing region?
Price Considerations
Of course all decisions must be balanced with respect to its price. In the situation of having a budget of $25 and above, your selections choices are wide open. A favorite of mine and a crowd pleaser is a Cabernet, a well rounded and highly excepted classic.
Ok, now let's take a look at the $15 to $25 budget range. My suggestion here is that you just stick with a traditional Chardonnay or Merlot. They are both widely appreciated and just a bit less costly than Cabernets.
Even at $15 and under there are some really enjoyable choices. For $10 you can get Veramonte Cabnernet Sauvignon from the Casablanca Valley, located in Chile. Another great selection is the Australian Shiraz or the Sauvignon Blancs, both of which may pleasantly surprise the recipient.
Contributor: Stuart Glasure [A wine enthusiast and publishing member of the wine source: http://www.winedefinitions.com.]
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..Bordeaux is a region in France that produces some of... Read More
When it comes to making alcoholic beverages at home, wine... Read More
During the 1990s, a physician voiced on a national TV... Read More
Correct wine etiquette makes the tasting experience much more enjoyable.... Read More
A cocktail party can be more daunting than a dinner... Read More
If you like the taste of a good brew, then... Read More
Cooking wine is sort of a holdover from prohibition. People... Read More
Follow a Local Wine Trail to Discover the Secrets of... Read More
Burgundy red wines are produced in an area of France... Read More
The recent health claims that wines have antioxidants... Read More
Wine is a social drink which should be enjoyed in... Read More
Australia's wine industry has boomed in the past ten years.... Read More
Have you ever seen those stiff upper-lipped types doing a... Read More
Ordering wine in a restaurant is not much different than... Read More
Although details are understandably sketchy, it is believed that, around... Read More
Alcoholism can be given a lot of definitions and all... Read More
As your love and knowledge of wine grows, it is... Read More
Like many mixed drinks, the Old Fashioned has a number... Read More
I manage a highly regarded web community for corporate flight... Read More
The cocktail has the distinction of being an original American... Read More
Merlot wine is a rich, soft wine with the flavor... Read More
One of the great joys of wine is to be... Read More
Chardonnay is the world's most popular white wine grape. Chardonnay... Read More
Barbera is a wine grape variety from Monferrato in Piemonte,... Read More
The ideal temperature to store wines is between 55?F and... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..I must admit, that for many of us, walking into... Read More
Chablis is thought to have originated in northern Spain and... Read More
As your love and knowledge of wine grows, it is... Read More
People have been drinking fermented beverages since the dawn of... Read More
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the relationship between the amount... Read More
Many people are intimidated by the task of selecting wine... Read More
It was once a ritual usually performed by a man.... Read More
What in the world is up!Was there a full moon... Read More
When it comes to making alcoholic beverages at home, wine... Read More
Wine is a social drink which should be enjoyed in... Read More
Ordering wine in a restaurant is not much different than... Read More
Most branded products and agricultural products are not commodities. However... Read More
If you like the taste of a good brew, then... Read More
Wine is a social drink which should be enjoyed in... Read More
The most famous cool climates for Riesling wine are in... Read More
Keeping a wine bottle sealed is probably the most important... Read More
Barbera is a wine grape variety from Monferrato in Piemonte,... Read More
There are three methods that may be used to make... Read More
Follow a Local Wine Trail to Discover the Secrets of... Read More
One of the great joys of wine is to be... Read More
Pairing beer with the fine cuisine has recently come to... Read More
During the 1990s, a physician voiced on a national TV... Read More
Tempranillo is the premium red wine grape variety from the... Read More
Here is a quick summary of the different French wine... Read More
I manage a highly regarded web community for corporate flight... Read More
Wine & Spirits |