Overcoming the Challenges of Wine Selection
When choosing wine, there are many challenges hidden in the wide variety of types, wide range of prices, and complex food-matching rules. This article proposes solutions to some of the challenges faced when choosing wines, and offers tips on how to deepen and enjoy the world of wine.
Table of Contents
Challenge 1: Lack of knowledge of varietals and regions
The main cause of many people's confusion in choosing wine is their lack of basic knowledge. There are different types of red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines, and each of them is associated with a different grape variety and region of origin. Lack of basic knowledge about them makes it difficult to find the right wine for you.
As a countermeasure, attending a wine class or a guided tour by a sommelier is a great way to deepen your knowledge while actually tasting wine. In addition, using the Internet or books to study can be somewhat effective, but the most important thing would be to learn while drinking.
Challenge 2: Price Concerns
The next major barrier to wine selection is the issue of price. Wine pricing ranges widely, and more expensive is not necessarily better. Many factors contribute to the price of a wine, including production volume, grape variety, region of origin, awards, certifications, and growing methods. In some cases, only a few thousand bottles per year are produced from one hectare of vineyards, and only a few hundred of these are permitted for export, which naturally increases the price.
To find quality wines that will satisfy your budget, it is effective to peruse consumer reviews, use lists of professional recommendations, and check to see if the wine is handled by a reputable restaurant. You can also consult with the wine representative stationed at the liquor store for help in finding quality wines that are well worth the price.
Challenge 3: Concerns about food pairings
Meal and wine pairings enhance the flavor of the food and make the dining experience even richer. Hence, many people find it difficult to choose the right wine and food pairing.
However, remembering some basic rules can improve wine and food pairings. For example, white wine goes well with light meals and seafood, while red wine goes well with meat dishes and richly flavored cheeses. This is just an example, and the adventure of finding your own favorite combination is part of the fun. Some wines have pairings recommended by their producers, and in France, wines have even been developed to go with sushi.
Challenge 4: Difficulty in Label Information
Wine labels contain a lot of information, but sometimes people find them difficult to understand because of all the jargon. Some people may not try to read the information, but only see if the label is pretty or not.
In these cases, an app called Vinica can be used to easily read the information on the wine. This free app allows you to take and submit a photo of a wine label and it automatically collates the data and records product data and other information. Advice and recommendations from trusted experts are also an important factor in selecting a quality wine.
Solution: Use Winenot?
Winenot? carefully selects high quality wines and sells them in drinkable sizes, with full bottles costing around 10,000 yen. The most popular is the five-bottle Genesee set, so you won't make the mistake of buying a cheap wine and failing on quality, or buying a single bottle of an expensive wine and not liking it.
The accompanying wine card also includes food pairings recommended by the wine producers, so you can enjoy the best food pairings. It also explains the wine's drinking temperature, designation of origin, and producer, giving you a deeper insight into the wine.
Summary
The challenges faced in wine selection are many and varied, but approaching it with the right knowledge, information, and an open mind can make for a more satisfying wine selection experience. Learning to better understand varietals and regions, making choices based on price and food compatibility, understanding label information, and Winenot? By practicing these measures, you will be able to enjoy the world of wine more.