Choosing a fine wine is easier than you think. There are plenty of resources that will guide you towards good wines. Awards and accolades aside, the key factor is choosing a fine wine that is within your personal preferences. No matter how highly acclaimed a wine is, if it doesn’t fit your personal tastes you won’t understand what everyone else is going on about.
It’s fine not to like something that is considered a fine wine. It doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate high-end wines, it just means you have different tastes from those who thought it was a great wine.
Price
Wines are becoming more affordable by the day. It is no longer something that only the wealthy can afford. A lot of the ‘snob’ appeal has been taken out of wine and wine drinking. However, fine wine still registers a higher price than ordinary wines you can simply purchase off the rack at any wine shop.
A fine wine that has won prizes will be particularly expensive. There are however ways to get around paying a premium for a fine wine. There are clubs you can join that will help you access wines at a lower price than what you would normally pay. Going to smaller vineyards will also help you stumble across a fine wine at a reasonable price.
Tastes
The best way to tell if you will like a fine wine is to start by drinking less high-end wines. This will allow you to ascertain what types of wines you like. If the fine wine has the characteristics and flavors that you are accustomed to and appreciate then you will probably find that you like it.
For example if you like unwooded Chardonnays, the taste of a wooded Chardonnay will be very different and you will not enjoy it. If you prefer sweet wines then something like a dry Riesling will not be up to your tastes.
Pairings and Vintage
Some wines need to be paired very carefully for you to fully enjoy the flavor and complexity of the wine. When it comes to a fine wine it is important that you pair it with the right food. The wrong type of meats or spices can alter the way a wine tastes.
There are also some wines that will taste better after a year or two of cellaring. Be wary of cellaring if you don’t have the right facilities to do this. Otherwise your expensive bottle of wine will taste like vinegar after a year of sitting around.
