I believe wine is an incredible beverage that can taste differently depending on the foods we are eating, the people we are with, our emotional state, even what we had for breakfast. And…some of you have heard me say that “very few people have a bad bottle of wine on vacation”.
So, for those of you who want some guidance, I will be offering you some general guidelines that may provide the flexibility for you to follow your “wine desires” when shopping for wine. Even some advice on pairing red wine with fish!
With that said, my first piece of advice -- Don't agonize about making the perfect choice. Your selection might not be perfect according to the "experts", but you might discover a perfect match for you!!
My second piece of advice -- There is no end all and be all for this stuff!! No absolutes!! Have fun!! Experiment!! Wines WILL vary by grape variety, vintage, wine-making methods, region, and more.
My third piece of advice: Related to advice #2 is that it is virtually impossible for one person to know how every wine tastes because there are so many variables. No one, except the producer, can know what REALLY went on in the vineyard or winery during a specific year. And no two people have the same reactions to aromas, flavors, or other components of a wine, especially when paired with a food.
My fourth piece of advice – Throughout all my wine certification courses and doing a lot of reading about wine and food pairing, one theme continually runs through all the literature... Wine, and the particular wine style of a region, was made to complement the food of the region. So, when in doubt, select a wine from the region from which the recipe originates. I know many recipes may be a “fusion” of regions or cultures, so figure out which region makes up most of the dish and go from there.
More to come…and enjoy!
Sincerely,
Kenn Pogash (“the guy wearing the bow tie”)
Certified, Wine & Spirits Education Trust
