How to Choose the Best Wine

Choosing the best wine largely depends on the type of occasion, the ingredients of the meal and personal taste. Some people prefer red wine while others prefer white. Choose the best wine based on where the grapes were grown and the process used to create the wine. The most notable wines from the United States include grapes grown in Napa Valley and Sonoma. Three of the many Italian wine regions are Tuscany, Piedmont and Calabria.

• Match each course of the meal with the appropriate style and type of wine. Choose light and crisp wines during summer meals due to the lighter texture of many summer recipes.


• Select a red and a white wine to pair with different meals and courses because many people are partial to only red or white. Some red varieties include Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Chianti and Cabernet Sauvignon. A few popular white varieties include Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.


• Pair wine with citrus undertones with seafood for a delightfully tangy combination. A seafood appetizer containing shrimp cocktail pairs exceptionally well with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. This white wine is popular to serve with a Chilean sea bass or halibut entrée.


• Choose a dry and fruity red Merlot wine to serve with a simple steak entrée. Alternately, when serving a chicken in cream sauce, choose a full flavored Chardonnay white wine.


• Choose wines from the region of the world that inspired the meal. When serving an Italian food, choose an Italian wine for continuity. Wines from South Africa and Australia are gaining in popularity, while France, Italian and Spain remain the top producers and exporters of wine in the world.


• Research wine pairing resources on the Internet. Many websites help users choose the best wine to pair with specific ingredients and preparation of the recipe. Consider visiting foodandwinepairing.org. This site allows users to select from 10 different food main ingredients, and then narrow down the list with the foods preparation method. The site displays wine varieties and the dryness and flavor of the selections.


• Assume that every guest will consume half a bottle of wine during a banquet. Determine the amount and variety of wine in terms of color, type, vintage, region of origin and brand.