In social situations, bringing a suitable bottle of wine can always add a bit of atmosphere to the meal. However, for people who don’t know anything about wine, how to choose a bottle of wine among the dazzling array of wines that is not rude and meets the public’s taste is undoubtedly a big challenge. This article will provide you with a zero-based wine selection guide, so that you can choose a good bottle of wine calmly when attending a dinner party.
Landmine index below 10: a safe and lovable choice
With its delicate bubbles and elegant taste, Champagne is a universal choice for almost any meal. As a good drink to warm up before a meeting, champagne can quickly enhance the atmosphere and make people feel happy. Whether it’s a formal dinner or a gathering of friends and family, a bottle of champagne always makes people’s eyes shine.
If you are on a budget, sparkling wine is also a good choice. Sparkling wine is available in both dry and sweet varieties, so you can choose according to your personal taste. Even though the taste may not be as complex as high-end wines, the bubbles are enough to catch the eye and please the guests. Remember to look for the wire hoop when shopping, so you can easily find sparkling wine!
German slightly sweet liquor
German slightly sweet white wine is also a good choice. With aromas of peach and citrus, these wines are not only perfect for party starters, but also effortless with stir-fries or simple snacks. German liquor is usually of good quality and relatively affordable, making it a cost-effective choice.
Mine index 10-25: a choice that coexists with quality and flavor
Red and white wines from the Loire and Alsace regions
Although there are not many choices of wines from these two production areas on the market, each one has been carefully selected and the quality is guaranteed. The red and white wines of the Loire River are almost always paired with French cuisine, while the red and white wines of Alsace are an excellent companion for cheese and ham salami. The wines from these two regions are unique and affordable, making them perfect as the finishing touch to a meal.
Spanish red and white wine
Spanish wines are optimistic and know destiny. As soon as you open the bottle, you can feel the rich fruit flavor and aroma. The wines from Spain’s most famous Rioja region have a thick taste and are suitable for pairing with various Spanish dishes. These wines are affordable and of good quality, making them a cost-effective choice.
Red wine from central and southern Italy
The Chillon region in central Italy combines tradition and modernity. The wines here have a slightly sour taste and are suitable for pairing with oily meats. The wines from southern Italy are very suitable for drinking chilled because they are affordable, have a direct taste, are rich and full of fruity aroma.
Landmine index 25-40: a cost-effective choice
South African red and white wine
South Africa is very competitive in the low-price wine segment, with a complete range of products including most international varieties. Although these wines are not expensive, their quality is unequivocal, making them the first choice when considering price.
Chilean red and white wine
Chilean wines generally give the impression of being affordable and of good quality. This is due to Chile’s maximized planting area and mechanized production, which reduces costs. While mid- to low-priced Chilean wines may taste green, overall they are still a great value for money.
Australian red and white wine
Australian wine is quite popular around the world. The stable climate and strong sunshine allow the grapes here to fully mature, and the wine quality is therefore fuller and more pleasant. For a simple dinner, a bottle of Australian wine is enough to satisfy everyone’s wine expectations.
Landmine index 40-60: a wine that needs to be chosen carefully
Argentinian red and white wine
Argentinian red and white wines are generally of good quality, but relatively expensive. Mid-priced Argentinian wines taste more “high-end” than Chilean wines, with less stimulating green flavor and more highlighting the fruity flavor of Argentina’s alpine terroir.
New Zealand red and white wine
The price of New Zealand red and white wine is not low, but the quality is indeed commendable. The wines here have the slogan “Pure” and are fresh and natural in style. If it’s original food or a quieter occasion, New Zealand wine is undoubtedly a good choice.
Southern French red and white wine
Southern France has a long history of wine, but there are too many choices on the market and the quality varies. There are a lot of careless producers out there, so you need to be extra careful when choosing.
Landmine index 60 or above: selection requiring professional knowledge
Bordeaux, Burgundy, Barolo and other famous wines
Because the wines from these production areas are so famous and there are so many choices on the market, it is easy to pass them off as fake ones. Especially Burgundy red and white wine and Italian Barolo. These wines are highly hyped, expensive and difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake. It requires considerable knowledge and experience to distinguish good from bad. For people who don’t know anything about wine, these wines are undoubtedly high-risk choices.
In short, when choosing wine for a dinner party, the more expensive the wine, the more professional knowledge, skills and patience are required. For those who are new to wine selection, choosing wines that are approachable is the wisest choice. This way you can avoid mistakes and allow everyone to enjoy a good time at the dinner.
