We've all had that moment when, comfortably seated in a restaurant, someone asks us: "What about wine? What would you like to drink?"
Panic, sweat drops, stuttering.
Here are some terms that should help you express yourself and get the best advice.
First information: the color. Red, white, pink, orange, or bubbles.
Then, once the color is chosen, we can ask ourselves what we want:
- A light or rather full-bodied wine? Do you want a thirst-quenching wine, not too strong in alcohol, fluid, or rather a wine with a nice substance, very present tannins (especially for reds), a slightly muscular wine that holds up?
- A gourmet wine or rather refreshing and invigorating? Do you prefer something generous, round, almost sweet, or rather a dry wine, on minerality, lively and dynamic?
- A wine with subtle or rather very expressive aromas? Do you prefer light aromas of flowers, white-fleshed fruits, citrus fruits, slightly acidic small red fruits, or rather aromas of very ripe yellow or red fruits, or even exotic fruits or black fruits, even slightly stewed?
Being able to answer these questions can really help the person advise you in the best way possible according to your desires. Also, don't hesitate to indicate a budget to avoid finding yourself in an uncomfortable situation. Of course, the dish you have chosen will also play a role in the choice of wine.
To learn more about food and wine pairings, see our article “Wine Pairings According to Food Types.”
