| Choosing the right wine for any occasion needed | | | | has made them much more in demand so the |
| be difficult if a few simple guidelines are followed. | | | | price goes up accordingly. |
| There will be some options which will be different | | | | RED OR WHITE? |
| depending on whether you are dining in a | | | | If you are looking for wine for a particular |
| restaurant, in which case you are limited to the | | | | occasion where the wine will be consumed by |
| wines on the wine list. If you are shopping at a | | | | itself or to be served at a meal with foods, it |
| retail site, you can still make good choices | | | | makes a difference in the type of wine that is |
| depending on what you like and what type of | | | | chosen. If you have particular varieties of wine |
| occasion it is. The first choice when you are | | | | which you have already tested and know you like, |
| purchasing retail is the size of the store. The | | | | you may even plan the meal around the wine, |
| most important feature in the determination of | | | | rather than the other way around. |
| the store is that it should have knowledgeable | | | | SERVED ALONE OR WITH A MEAL? |
| staff who are willing to listen to your specific | | | | While the choice of a specific wine is certainly up |
| needs and provide you with good advice | | | | to the individual, there are some standards which |
| accordingly. The store can be either a large | | | | usually are observed when selecting wines to go |
| well-stocked wine store or a small boutique, but | | | | with a meal. For example, sweet foods will reduce |
| the people in the business must be helpful and | | | | the fruity taste of dry wines, cause tannic wines |
| attentive. Help from knowledgeable staff is very | | | | to be more bitter, will increase the perception of |
| helpful when you are purchasing the wine as a gift | | | | sourness or acidity, and will cause sweet wines to |
| for someone else. You want to find a quality wine | | | | taste drier.Acidic foods will also increase the bitter |
| at a reasonable price. If you're purchasing wine | | | | taste in tannic wines and reduce wine acidity, |
| for yourself, you can be adventuresome enough | | | | Salty foods will reduce the bitter perception, |
| to try something new and perhaps find a new | | | | acidity perception and increase sweetness |
| favorite. You will need to ask yourself several | | | | perception of the wine. If the foods you are |
| questions before you start which will help you and | | | | serving tend to the bitter side, there's not too |
| the sales staff narrow down your choices. | | | | much you can do except add some salt to the |
| HOW MUCH WILL I SPEND? | | | | bitter food. Bitter foods and bitter wines don't |
| If the wine is for a very special occasion, you | | | | neutralize each other.Rich or fatty foods will |
| may want to spend a little more to ensure you | | | | reduce the sensation of tannins and rich wines |
| get the best quality for the money. Sometimes | | | | complement each other.If you are serving hot or |
| the small private labels are quite reasonable in | | | | spicy foods, you can use a sweet wine for a |
| price, but at other times their excellent reputation | | | | good pairing. |