MensXpert.com - Beginers Guide To Ordering Wine

The list of wines in the bar menu can be endless and you might get confused as to an appropriately good wine to order when you’re out on a dinner date. To forfeit an awkward moment, know at least 5 good white and red wines. They will, in all possibility, be in the wine list.

5 Red wines

Cabernet Sauvignon

It’s a big, bold, intense varietal and smells like blackcurrant with a degree of weediness. It is one of the dominant growing grapes in France’s Bordeaux region and a popular red wine produced in California. The strong intensity of this wine goes well with beef and other red meats.

Cabernet Franc

It is earthy and herbal and is softer and more subdued than the Cabernet Sauvignon. This thin-skinned red grape comes from French regions but has been grown with success in Australia, Chile, South Africa, Canada and California. It goes perfect with lamb or turkey.

Pinot Noir

A primary red grape from France and the United States, it is complex and has a high acidity. It will be listed on wine lists from either Oregon or under French Burgundies.

Zinfandel

A grape grown extensively in the vineyards of California, it is made into either a red or white wine. As a red wine, it is made light and fruity or can be lively, complex and age-worthy.

Syrah

It’s an earthy, full-bodied red that often has spicy flavors. It’s also called Shiraz by the winemakers of Australia. It tastes good with duck or other game.

5 White wines

Sauvignon Blanc

It goes from tart and citrusy to creamier. It is lighter and crisper than big, bold Chardonnay. The grape is best known from France, California and New Zealand. It goes well with chicken and seafood.

Chardonnay

The most popular white wine in America, it comes mostly from France, California and Australia. It is particularly bold and can therefore overpower the delicate flavors of many foods.

Pinot Grigio

Also known as Pinot Gris in France, it is mainly from Italy. It is light, crisp and refreshing. It’s the official wine of summer, made for sipping on balmy evenings.

Gewurztraminer

It’s floral and fruity. It can be quite sweet but the dry ones are delicious - notably the ones from Alsace. Great with Chinese and Thai food.

Champagne

One of the famous French sparkling wines, it goes well with any food. A brut (dry) sparkler is perfect with savory hors d’oeuvres and a demi-sec (slightly sweet) is an amazing compliment to Indian and Asian dishes.

Now that you’re equipped with 10 good reds and whites, you can safely venture out and find new ones that you might like and introduce to others. Just keep a few things in mind if you really want to enhance your knowledge about wines:

If you’re unfamiliar with anything on the wine list that you think might interest you, ask the sommelier who is actually there to help you explain and choose a wine that goes well with you meal.

Go for a tasting. Some bistros and wine bars let you do that if you inform them before hand. You can make your own selection of either all of one variety of grapes or different ones.

Keep check of anything you might have tasted and liked at some restaurant by noting down the name of the grape, the maker and the year it was produced.

Lastly keep tabs of good wines by reading about them in men’s magazines that mostly give it to you straight, for example 10 best wines to drink this season.