Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series. Do you want to learn more about wine but don’t know where to start? Or are you just looking for a reasonably priced wine that will expand your palate’s horizon? You are not alone.
I recently spent the morning with a friend’s daughter, Samantha, a law school student who was looking for some guidance about the current job market. After a while, our conversation turned to wine. Sam explained that while she liked wine, she really did not know much about it. And while she wanted to learn more about wine, her graduate school-budget did not give her a lot of disposable income to play with. In addition, she confessed she just did not know how to go about learning more about wine. In her words, “It just seems like there is a lot to know.”
After speaking with Samantha, it struck me that while the next generation of wine drinkers may want to drink wine, they don’t necessarily know how to go about understanding what wine they are drinking. With an estimated 40,000 different labels of wine crowding various wine shop shelves, picking the right wine can be downright confusing, with decisions often dictated by price or, worse, an eye-catching label.
According to a report published last year by the Wine Industry Council, not only is wine consumption among Americans up for the 16th consecutive year, but the greatest growth is being fueled by consumers who range in age from 25 to 32. In 2008 alone, nearly half of that segment reported an increase in wine consumption. So what’s a budding wine enthusiast to do if they really want to jump into the proverbial wine barrel?
The first thing I recommend is to read about wine from as many different sources as you can. Of course, I am partial to the advice given in this column, but I also advocate reading books and magazines from a variety of authors. Natalie McLean, a veteran wine author and self-proclaimed wine cheapskate, has a new book out, “Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wines” ($16), where she travels the world in search of the best wine values. One of her more whimsical tips in the book is to buy wine with impossibly long names, written in gothic script. This usually applies to German Rieslings, whose bottles may sit on retailer’s shelves as a result of misunderstood labeling –driving the price down for a very good wine.
One of my favorite recommendations for neophyte oenophiles is Oz Clarke’s “Let Me Tell You About Wine’ — A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding and Enjoying Wine” ($20). While it is simplistic in format, it is also very comprehensive in content. About half of this book is devoted to wine basics such as what types of grapes wines are made from, how to buy and store wines, and, of course, how to taste wine. A section on food pairing is invaluable for dinner parties and holiday entertaining.
Wine retailers love developing loyal customers, so many wine shops will periodically offer tastings to introduce new wines to consumers. Check out a couple of wine shops and tell them what you want to learn about and be very specific about your price range. Some retailers will even open a bottle or two for you in the shop so you can try-before-you-buy.
Of course, actually tasting wine is the best way to really learn. I think one of the best white wines to cut your teeth on is Sauvignon Blanc since it’s easy to identify specific characteristics. The 2010 Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc ($9) from Chile offers plenty of classic grapefruit and nectarine flavors on the palate while delivering a clean, crisp finish filled with citrusy notes.
The 2010 Norton Malbec ($10) from Argentina is an easy-drinking red wine that offers loads of juicy red and black fruit on a soft frame. A nice touch of spice on the finish provides a bit of depth and complexity.
