If You Like Pinot Grigio Youll Like Albario
Actually, the Spaniard albariño is more what Italian pinot grigio should taste like anyway, with hints of peach-y and apple-y aromas, a soft texture on the tongue, ending with a clipped finish from solid acidity. Most pinot grigio has been over-cropped so that all those characteristics are washed away and whats left is a liquid a wee tastier than Evian.
Other alternatives: Greek assyrtiko Basque txakoli Italian arneis, falanghina or fiano di Avellino.
2012 Abadia de San Campio Albariño Rias Baixas Spain: As if you had sprinkled a pinch of salt over ripe pineapple and peach, with acidity that frames the sip and a finish like blanched almond. $17-$20
What To Pair With Sweet Wines
Sweet and semi-sweet wines pair well with their opposites, especially smoky or spicy flavors. Its a good rule of thumb to contrast flavors for a well-rounded taste, so things like charcuterie with hard cheese, nuts, smoked sausage, and other cured meats would go well with sweet wines. They can also go well with sweet and savory plates like honey-glazed ham or pork.
When it comes to dessert wines, we highly suggest going all-in with the decadence! Pair your ice wine or Port with cheesecake, dark chocolate, strawberry cake, or whatever sweet suits your fancy. Weve even made a guide to pairing your wine with Halloween candy. Because when dinners done and the dessert wine comes out, its time to treat yourself!
If You Like Pinot Noir Try Pinot Grigio
Pinot Noir is a popular light-bodied red wine, so if this is your go-to red, your best bet is a light-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio. If youre into delicate Oregon Pinot Noir, try an Italian Pinot Grigio, which is often drier and more minerally than Pinot Grigio from France. You could also try a very light Chardonnay, like white Burgundy. On the other hand, if you prefer a fruitier Pinot Noir from California, you may enjoy a riper, fruitier variety of Pinot Grigio.
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Cabernet Sauvignon Or Merlot: Sauvignon Blanc
While cabernet sauvignon and merlot come from two separate grapes, these grapes are from the same Bordeaux grape family, which means they share some of the same characteristics. A few varieties of sauvignon blanc are hands-down the best white wine for you if you like a more herbal and savory flavor.
The grapes used to make cabernet sauvignon and merlot have something in common with a white wine relative that comes from the same bordeaux family: sauvignon blanc. That doesnt mean all sauvignon blanc wines are a good match for red wine drinkers though. Again, the region of the grapes plays a role. In this case, California winemakers are responsible for making richer varieties of this white wine that is more likely to appeal to cabernet sauvignon and merlot drinkers.
Better yet, take a rich sauvignon blanc and combine it with semillon. These are white grapes known for being a rich and full-weighted variety, mostly found in France and Australia. Semillon-sauvignon blanc isnt the most common. In fact, one of the most expensive white wines in the world, Chateau Haut-Brion Blanc, is this very blend. But have no fear there are winemakers in Sonoma, Napa and Washington State that create plenty of more affordable options.
Does Your Wine Really Taste Like Rocks
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My father used to own a small vineyard on a Hungarian volcano in the Balaton Uplands, where vines have grown since Roman times. Starting in the late nineties, he spent most weekends there, writing essays about politics and making white wine with Olaszrizling grapes. The wine tasted like lemony mineral water. He loved it, even if his early efforts qualified as guggolós bor , an expression used to describe wine so awful that visitors crouch down when passing by its makers home to avoid being spotted and invited in for a drink.
On my way back, I stopped at Mt. Somló, a volcano not far from Mt. Szent György, whose fiery white wines Hamvas described in rapturous terms. While there, I visited a friend, Éva Cartwright, at her store, the Somló Wine Shop, which occupies a small stone cave built into the hillside beneath her familys home. When I learned that shed never tried a Hungarian white this old, we decided to open one of the two bottles Id picked up. Neither of us held out much hope. My father had warned me that the wine would probably be broken, a Hungarianism for wine that falls somewhere between vinegar and sherry. But his Olaszrizling was more than fine. It had transformed into something else, smoky and crystalline, with beguiling undertones that tasted, I was sure, like ash.
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Red Or White Does It Matter
The real difference comes in when youre deciding what food to pair your wine with. The golden rule is generally red wine for red meat and white wine for white meat and fish. Its all about enhancing the overall taste of your meal. Wines are also a great addition to meats during the marinade process.
The general rule of thumb in beginners circles is to start with white wine. For the most part, this is because white wines are lighter in body and more comfortable on the not-so-experienced palates. There are also a few sweeter wines that are being hailed as the best wine to drink for beginners.
The Basics Of Good Wine
Choosing a good wine is completely subjective. How each person defines a good wine is unique to them and their taste buds. Whether you prefer delicate, bold, sweet, tart or even spicy flavors, it is possible to find a wine you adore. These essential characteristics that define each variety of wine can be helpful to keep in mind as you navigate picking a bottle.
Everyone will have different preferences for each of these characteristics of wine, but with the right care, you can find a bottle that fulfills your taste preferences.
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Succumb To The Dark Side
Porter
- Example: Deschutes Black Butte Porter
- Typical Flavors: coffee, bittersweet chocolate, smoke, black bread
- Wine to Try:
Bitter, swarthy, palatablewait, are we describing your modern-day Porter or Sagrantino? However, consider yourself warned: you may find the beer to be a bit of an easier drink. Sagrantino di Montefalco makes for one of the most tannic wines on the planet! Your mouth may not know what hit it.
Stout
- Wine to Try:
Known for gravelly soils and Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant red wines, the Left Bank is where you want to look when switching from stout, specifically the Médoc region. The wines from this section of Bordeaux are known for being bold, concentrated, and filled with complex secondary aromas/flavors that will be music to any stout lovers, uh, mouth.
Dubbel & Belgian Dark Strong Ale
- Example: North Coast Thelonious Monk
- Typical Flavors: caramel, dark sugar, plum, dates, figs
- Wine to Try:
The Dubbel and Belgian Dark Strong Ale can be considerably different beer styles, and normally we wouldnt loop them together. The problem here is that we found the perfect wine to hit all those delicious dark sugar, plum, and date flavors on the nose: Port. Specifically, Ruby and Late Bottle Vintage styles that are more fruit-forward, affordable, and meant to be enjoyed young.
Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
- Wine to Try:
Pro-Tip: Cost not an issue? Investigate nuttier, breadier, and oh-so-decadent . Yes, it could break your budget. But it will also break your brain
Sour
What Makes Wine Sweet Or Dry
Wine making is an art. It requires dedication, patience, and an understanding of everything that goes into making a great tasting wine.
Flavor profiles can change dramatically with just a minor adjustment to the wine making process. Different varietals of grapes, growing regions, and aging processes can all play a part in the overall taste of a wine.
But for a lot of casual wine drinkers there are only two things they focus on is the wine white or red and is it sweet or dry?
All that hard work being put into producing the highest quality wines in the world arent super important to the casual wine drinker. As long its the color they like and taste they like, most of them wont care where it was grown or how it was aged.
Its unfortunate that this is the case, since there is a whole world of wonderful wines out there just waiting to be tasted, but its the truth. Some people who like sweet wines may just have never found a dry wine that they like, and vice versa.
Sweet wine vs dry wine is one of those things that most people have chosen a side on. They know which one they like and they just assume that because they like one over the other, that they wont like anything on the other side of the line, but what actually makes a wine sweet or dry?
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Moving On From Malbec: 5 Red Wine Alternatives
The popularity of certain grapes speaks for itself. Take Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, which has grown to be one of the major plantings around the world. Why? Its rich, seductive and impossibly complex. The same can be said for Malbec, with its smoky undertones and rich, fruity palate. Malbec has understandably become a go-to wine for many people, most of whom love the fact that it not only drinks exceptionally well on its own, but also when paired with food. One of the problems with always ordering Malbec, however, is that it shuts people off from the rest of the wine world. Indeed, there are countless incredible reds that need to be experienced, regardless of how delicious Malbec happens to be.
The good news is that Malbec actually has quite a few analogs, which means there are plenty of grapes that share similar characteristics with it. Not sure which direction to branch off into? Heres a primer to help you move on from Malbecbut never leave this grape behind!
Best Red: Niepoort Ruby Port
Courtesy of Wine.com
Region: Douro, Portugal | ABV: 19.5% | Tasting Notes: Red and dark fruits, cherries, dried fig
Forget the mass-produced ports youve tasted in the past this organic gem from Niepoort is as game-changing as it gets. This youthful and expressive wine is produced from low-yielding old vines in the Cima Corgo region of the Douro. The wine ages in large wooden vats for three years prior to release and is meant to be consumed young. Ruby-hued in color, the wine shows flavors of red and dark fruits, plums, cherries, and a touch of dried fig.
Region: Vouvray, Loire Valley, France | ABV: 13% | Tasting notes: Canned pears, tropical fruit, honey
This sustainably-farmed wine is produced by Didier Champalou, a Loire Valley-based vigneron whos been farming vineyards since 1983. Vouvray is regarded as one of the best growing sites in the world for Chenin Blanc . This off-dry bottle boasts flavors of canned pears, ripe melon, tropical yellow fruit and honeythink of it as sweet French nectar in a glass. Serve with spicy Thai favorites, pungent blue cheeses or a bowl of fruit.
Region: Bugey-Cerdon, Savoie, France | ABV: 8% | Tasting notes: Raspberry, strawberry, cream
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What Type Of Wine Are You
- step
Which food do you like to pair your wine with?
How often do you like to partake in activities that involve drinking alcohol?
- On weekends
- Whenever theres a social gathering
- Only on very special occasions
- Everyday is a good day for a drink!
You feel most comfortable wearing something:
- Colorful
How would you describe your figure?
- Slim and delicate
What do you think adds the most value to a painting?
- Age
- The story behind the painting
You just uprooted your whole family and moved elsewhere because you wanted to live somewhere that was
- Warmer
A magazine wants you to model for them what kind of magazine is it?
- Fashion
- Home and garden
Youre going on a winery tour! Which wine corner of the world would you like to visit?
- Napa Valley
- South Australia
Your wine cellar should you have one now or in the future would consist of mostly
- Reds
Its safe to say that aside from French fries, the best thing the potato ever gave us was vodka. Mixologists have worked like crazy in their labs to come up More > >
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Fresh seafood, salads, and asparagus are the perfect food pairings for this delightful New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. A classic pale yellow hue if lifted with aromas of light citrus and tropical fruit. The fruity palate is both juicy and acidic, with ripe flavors of passion fruit, melon, and grapefruit. Crushed herbs are present with a satisfying, dry finish. Buy Here.
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Hermann J Wiemer Dry Riesling 2019
Serving Riesling for entertaining but dont want to spend a fortune? This American Riesling is versatile and simple but pleasing. Sourced from three vineyards, the range of flavors includes citrus, tropical fruits, and a bit of stone. Present acidity makes for a refreshing wine, while the clean mineral finish is appealing to newer drinkers. Buy Here.
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The Requested Wine: Moscato Dasti
Poor Moscato dAsti has earned a bad reputation, thanks to a lot of bland sparkling wine thats cheap, sweet, and not much else. But the Muscat grape that this style of wine is made from is wonderfully aromatic and complex, and it deserves better! Buy what youve been asked to get just pick up a good one! Try this classic Moscato dAsti from Piedmont producer Ca del Baio, and dont forget to stop and smell the beautiful aromas of orange blossom, apricot, and tropical fruit.Buy: Ca del Baio Moscato dAsti, $19 at K& L Wines
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Bogle Petite Sirah 2018
Petite Sirah has a slightly bolder and full flavor but shares many flavors with Syrah. This wine is inky, rich, and jam-like with a luxurious finish. Mocha and cocoa add dimension to boysenberry and blueberry notes. The decadent palate is also accompanied by sweet clove and vanilla for a lingering effect that will leave a lasting impression. Incredibly, this 90 to 91 point wine starts at just $10.99. Buy Here.
Ramey Rochioli Vineyard Chardonnay 2017
This 93 to 99 point Chardonnay was first aged 20 months in French oak barrels and then bottled without filtration. The result is an elegant wine with a long finish and the winner of acclaim, including editors choice awards. A fine layer of Meyer lemon, apple, and pear are given life with nutmeg, cardamom, and salted oak. Honeysuckle, lemon curd, and a mineral undertone supply complexity to this medium to full body Sonoma County wine. Buy Here.
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Buehler White Zinfandel 2018
Ripe fruit and bright flavors are the stars of this budget-friendly White Zinfandel. Priced at just $10, this wine is fruit-forward, with wild berries and strawberries, a slash of acidity, and a semi-dry, refreshing finish. Pair with cream sauces, custards, ice cream, cakes, and pasta dishes. Its a great wine to start with if you think you dont like wine and dont want to risk spending a lot of money. Its also great for entertaining after dinner. Buy Here.
The Requested Wine: Merlot
I know a few people whose house red is a large-format bottle of Merlot featuring, shall we say, autumn leaves. If youd like to please them, but also enjoy what youre drinking, there are lots of easy-drinking red blends out there. Some are better than others, but one of my favorites isnt one youll find nestled next to Apothic Red and Menage à Trois. Marselan is a grape thats mostly grown in Southern France. Its a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, and Domaine de Courons Marselan has soft tannins and lots of ripe plum and blackberry flavors that will please any Merlot-lover. Plus, its very affordable.Buy: Domaine de Courons Marselan, $11 at Highlands Wineseller
And if I could leave you with a final word of advice about holiday gatherings and wine, its to serve wine youd like to drink to everyone . Dont hoard the good stuff because certain people wont appreciate it. Serve what you feel good about without a lot of fanfare that can put pressure on people, and you just might convert a few of your white Zin-loving relatives.
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How To Choose A Bottle Of Wine At Marketview Liquor
Now that you know more about how to choose a wine for dinner, shop Marketview Liquors delicious selection of wines! With a range of prices, you can experiment with a new variety or invest in a wine you know you will enjoy.
Our resources can help you choose a good wine, whether you visit our store in Rochester, N.Y., or decide to order online. Check out Mikes Picks in our weekly ads, on our website and in our store. You can also check out video tastings on our blog Wine Time with Mike and Holly to give you more specifics about any of our featured wines.
Weve categorized our online selection so you can easily sort by country, region and type of wine so you can select a wine you want to start with and quickly find a similar wine when you need a new bottle. Get started by browsing our online wine selection.
