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My
Strategy on Picking Wines
It
is always hard to buy wine. So many wines, so many languages and
regions, so many choices, and so many price points. I used to only
drink wine if the beer was gone. I would only buy wine if I was going
to a nice party and knew that I should not show up with a case of
Yuengling beer since I would be one of only two people drinking it! I
was never sure what to buy but I was pretty sure that I should avoid
the jug wines. I remember having a party in law school and a friend
brought a box of wine. It was sweet and we expected it would be good
for the ladies. Too bad only three showed up and we were stuck with
the box of wine for another two weeks! Luckily Tonya was not at that
party. She's a wine snob, you know, and would not have been nearly as
impressed with me if I'd offered her a paper cup filled with boxed wine!
I
was at a party back around 1999 or 2000, when I tried a red wine. It
was an Italian red called Valpolicella (named for the Italian region
in which it is made-Tonya's comment). I didn't know much about it but
I knew it was quite tasty! I only knew what the bottle looked like
and would purchase it for other parties or for the infrequent
occasions that I felt like wine. A few years after that experience, I
tried Yellowtail Shiraz at the same couple's home. I found this red
to be different but just as satisfying on my palate. It was following
these two experiences, and sipping wine with Tonya that I chose a
strategy on picking wine.
I
decided that I know what wines I like, Shiraz/Syrah and
Valpolicella, so I began trying others that were made from the same
grape and within the same price range. It was a lot easier to go with
a different Shiraz because the labels were mainly in English as
opposed to Italian. Of course, using the resources at this site,
www.joyofthetable.com, I can learn even more about the Italian wines.
Once I decide I like a certain grape, I ask the wine store employees
which wines are similar to that style.
So
my advice to you? If you find a good store with knowledgeable
employees, they are definitely the most helpful when you are unsure
what wine to purchase. It is easy enough to just try other
winemaker's expression of your favorite varietal. If you like, for
example, Yellowtail Shiraz, I recommend purchasing wines in the same
price range, limiting the amount you will spend to a $4 spread either
up or down. Once you find a wine you like, try the other wines the
winery produces. Personally, once I branched out to other
Shiraz/Syrah wines, I found Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel
that I really enjoyed along with others. My new favorite red is
Malbec. There are a number of great ones from South America and
several of them are priced below $20. I am also a big fan of
purchasing bottles under $20 and especially happy to find those under $12.
So
even if you are a White Zinfandel or sweet wine drinker, and find
yourself buying the same safe wine over and over, try the same wine
grape or blend from other winemakers. Once you have done that, try
some of the other wines in that family. You might find your next
favorite wine!
Cheers!
Russel
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