5 killer rules when buying wine (Part 1)

Ever stood in a wine shop in front of all these inviting wines and you were just not able to see the wood for the trees? Your forehead was beaded with sweat and the only thing you thought of was how to get out of the store as quick as possible?

Well, these days are over…just take with you the 5 killer rules and you will be calm like a Buddhist monk and focused like an eagle the next time you enter a wine shop.

1. I like it, aha, aha!

Let’s kick of with the basic rule:

“drink, and for that matter buy, only the wine that you like!”

And it is plain simple: You like it or you do not like it. As regards the second category don’t be afraid to throw it away. The crocodiles living in the sewer beneath our house have a serious alcohol problem due to all the wine that I have poured in our sink.

Mary Ewing-Mulligan, Master of Wine (and they know a lot since this is the highest degree in wine you could obtain) states it in a bit different words:

“Own your own palate.”

Hey, it is you who have to drink the wine, it is your own mouth where the white or red gold is going to be swallowed. Ever encountered a wine critic with your mouth, ever encountered a wine label that was made up on the basis of your palate. I didn’t.

So trust yourself and trust your palate. Let the wine critics, wine labels, wine connoisseurs be what they are: a small light in the darkness, a light that could possible guide you but not a light that will be so intense that you will be blinded…

2. Give me a reason

The second rule is:

try to find out WHY you like / dislike a wine.

Do you like fruity wines, aged wines, wines on wood, powerful, fleshy or elegant wines or sparkling wines (link)? Or do you like a particular grape, such as a merlot? Or, do you prefer blended wines compared to monovarietal wines? Or do you dig a specific country, a certain region?

So next time get some basic information when you buy a bottle of wine, such as:

Grape variety

Country

Region

Wood aging

And some more components if you like. The more components are known the easier it will be for you to determine why you like a wine.

Memorize this components each time you drink a wine or even better set up your own database. And in such way you will find out what it is that you like/dislike in a wine. And this will make your future purchases much more easy and, even a bigger advantage, you will have to throw less in the sink.

Buy in a relaxed way a nice wine today!
Bart

Part 2 is now available -Five killer rules when buying wine (part 2).

If you enjoyed this post, make my day and buy me a glass of wine.

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