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The autumn-winter period in our latitudes is usually associated with a series of holidays, where tables are traditionally bursting not only from the amount of all kinds of culinary masterpieces, but also from alcohol. However, few of us can boast of knowledge of how to choose high-quality alcohol, why good wine does not have to be expensive, and kava is not only “coffee”.
Food & Mood, together with the wine boutique “Paradis du Vin”, analyzed the main stereotypes and rules for choosing wine.
About shopping in supermarkets
The most important thing is the place where you buy the wine. If this is an ordinary grocery market, where no emphasis is placed on a good supply of wines – and, as you know, in our country wine is not included in the consumer basket – then there is nothing to complain about the quality. Non-specialized shops are not responsible for the correct storage of wine, therefore, if the bottle is warm, it is better not to take it, because we do not know how long it has been stored at this temperature. Another disadvantage of shopping in the markets is that you will not be replaced with spoiled wine. Of course, in order for you to have a spoiled wine replaced even in a specialized store or restaurant, you need to know by what signs it can be considered unfit for consumption. Therefore, it is better to buy wine in specialized markets, salons or boutiques, where there are also specialists – sommeliers who will help in choosing a drink.
About choosing white wine
If you want to buy fresh young white wine, then pay attention to the harvest year – no more than 2 years after harvest – and take into account the continental difference. Look at the color of the wine if the glass of the bottle allows it. White wine should be transparent, shiny, unsaturated lemon color. A rich yellow color is typical for sweet and semi-sweet wines. If a young white dry wine has a golden color, it means that it has begun to age. Good white wines can age in barrels and have aging potential, which will increase their shelf life.
On choosing red and rosé wines
With red wine it is a little more difficult: it is difficult to see its shade through the bottle, although it has much more potential. Therefore, choose a wine that is several years older than white. The main thing is to decide what you want – juicy simple or complex rich. It is better to take rosé wine when you are one year old. Although 2-3 years post-harvest is also appropriate for the definition of “good wine”.
On the cost and “budget” alcohol
Of course, good wine will always be expensive. But not everyone will understand this wine – you need to go towards this gradually. Start with simpler, more straightforward wines. After all, you can pay a decent amount for a good wine, but you can simply not appreciate it at its true worth. Inexpensive wine doesn’t mean bad. However, when buying the so-called “budget wine”, one should not expect anything supernatural from it. This wine is pleasant to drink, but not capable of masterpieces.
Most large well-known manufacturers have their own budget lines. You can draw a parallel with clothes: there is a line of haute couture, which is not made for everyone, but there is ready-to-wear – more affordable, but also of high quality and without marriage.
About the wines of the New World
When choosing wines worth up to UAH 250, we would advise you not to take French or Italian wines, but pay attention to the wines of the New World – Chile, Argentina, South Africa and the USA. Compared to other European producers, Spanish wines also have good wines at reasonable prices.
Many of you know that when choosing a wine, you need to pay attention to the label. Of course, if the wine is French or Italian, then it is easier for our consumer to figure it out. The variegated labels of New World wines will be more difficult. First of all, the name of the manufacturer, the variety and the year must be clearly spelled out on the label.
About the drink “for every day” and aging
If, say, you need wine, let’s say, “for every day,” it should be affordable – inexpensive – and understandable: opened it – poured it into a glass or vessel available at home – drank it! If wine with a screw cork is even better, not everyone has a corkscrew, let alone other accessories such as a decanter. A simple young wine doesn’t need decantation. Choose young wine from the latest vintages that is more open, fresher and more vibrant. Drink it immediately or within days after opening the bottle, otherwise it will be unusable. Such wines are not subject to aging – over the years it will not be so pleasant to drink. Of course, there are wines that get better with age. Often, these are well-known wines, by typing the name of which in the wine directory, you can get detailed information: in which year and in which region the harvest was successful, when it is worth opening and even the existing rating.
About the find of the season
We would advise you to pay attention to the Spanish sparkling wine-cava! This is an alternative for those who cannot afford to buy champagne. Its quality does not lose in anything, because cava is produced according to the classical method of champagne. And it costs from 270 UAH.