By Deanna Kim

Certified Sommelier

In No Time

Learning Wine…

Intimidated by ordering wine?

Never fear!

Just learn a few of the basics and you’ll be on your way…

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4 Basic Types of Wine

Red Wines

White Wines

Rosé Wines

Sparkling Wines

Red Wines

Strong, rich flavors

Dark purplish red to full red to russet brown

Juice is left in contact with skins

Skin contact ranges from 2 days to 2 weeks

White Wines

More delicate in flavor than red wines

Served chilled

Pale yellow to deep gold to pale green

Made from “white” grapes

Rosé Wines (Blush Wines)

Red wine grapes + a few hours of skin contact

Delicate structure

Best when served at 60˚F

Often consumed as a picnic wine

Sparkling Wines

Usually made from white grapes

Wine is put through a 2nd fermentation

Sugar and Yeast are added to create “bubbles”

Dessert Wines

Also called fortified wines

Extra sugar or alcohol is added as the wine ferments

Higher alcohol content

Typically sweeter than regular wines

Drink Wine in Sequence

White wine before red wine

Dry wine before sweet wine

Light-bodied wine before full-bodied wine

Straightforward wine before complex wine

How to Pair Food with Wine

RED WINE WITH RED MEAT

WHITE WINE WITH WHITE

MEAT

Modern Wine and Food Pairing

Wine and food are made for each other.

When ordering wine at a restaurant, think of it as a spice that can enhance your food.

Rich Lobster with a Buttery Chardonnay

If butter would typically be served with your main dish, in this case the melted variety, then choose a buttery Chardonnay.

Spicy Chinese Food with Sparkling Wine

The bubbles douse the heat to make this a refreshing pairing.

Earthy Wines with Earthy Food

Red wines that tend to taste slightly earthy such as a Pinot Noir, pair great with main dishes topped with earthy ingredients such as mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes.

Wines with Lemony Flavors

If the wine you’ve ordered has a lemony undertone such as a Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Grigio, drink it with any main dish that you would squeeze a lemon over, such as fish.

Bottom Line…

There is no single “right” answer when pairing wine and food

Trust your instincts

You only learn by practicing…so drink up!

Ready, Set, Cheers….

"Life is too short to drink bad wine."

--- Anonymous