08/04/2026
FIVE STEPS TO BETTER WINE CHOICES...
How to choose which wine is best for you?
1) Know your grapes. Some grapes make wine that is very distinctive, Gewürztraminer is a good example, you either love it or hate it. Others, like Chardonnay, can make wine in a wide range of styles. That’s something for everyone. Even the, “Anything But Chardonnay” brigade. There are around 1,400 wine grapes in the world but you can get away with knowing only 14.
2) It’s not just what is grown but where it is grown. Climate, warm or cool, will have a major influence on how the wine tastes.
3) The vineyard. Some sites, sheltered, well drained and with a favourable aspect towards the rising sun are prized above others for the quality of grapes that they produce.
4) What happens in the winery. Like a chef creating a signature dish the winemaker can employ a number of techniques in the wine making process to stamp his personality on the finished wine.
5) Finally if and how the wine has been matured. The length of time and the nature of the ageing vessel, for example European or American oak barrels, concrete tanks or trendy amphora all have a different influence on the finished wine.
Once you begin to understand these factors and throw in a little bit of history and local culture, then you can begin to form an expectation of what each wine might taste like and really understand why you like what you like.
In the world of wine a little learning goes a long way (oh and by the way, it’s great fun!)
Want to learn more? Try our Saturday Introduction to Wine with Champagne and two course lunch and have fun discovering the world of wine.
