#8: A Wine Doesn’t Have to Be Pricey To Be Good
Wines less than $20 will typically not be as balanced as more expensive wines, but as long as they still taste delicious, who cares? In general, imported cheap wines are better than domestic. Take the Chateau de Riviere Chinon, an excellent cabernet franc from France. It sells for about $8 and puts most of the California-style equivalents to shame. Other good, inexpensive options: Altos Las Hormigas 2010 Mensoza ($12), Rosemblum Cellars Vinter’s Cuvee Zinfadel ($10), and Jim Barry Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 ($17).
#9: Pair Wines With Food
- Chardonnay: It often tastes semi-sweet, sour, or light; pair it with seafood.
- Cabernet Sauvignon: It’s mellow and mild with an oaky or vanilla flavor; pair it with lamb, goose, and cheddar cheese or chocolate.
- Sauvignon Blanc: It typically has a lighter taste than Chardonnay, with hints of grass and apple; pair it with seafood, poultry, and salad.
- Pinot Noir: Expect green apple, pear, raspberry, plum, or strawberry flavors; pair it with pasta, chicken, lamb, and Japanese dishes.
- Merlot: It boasts fruit flavors like plums, violets, and blackberries; pair it with red meat dishes.
- Shiraz: Big, bold, and typically spicy; pair it with steak and stews.
#10: Box Wine Has Benefits
Box wines chill easier and last longer than bottled wine because the liquid is not oxidized until it’s dispensed; bottled wine is oxidized the moment the cap comes off. Box wines are also easier to recycle and aren’t affected by tainted corks, and they don’t break if you, uh, accidentally throw them at the wall. That’s why, these days, several quality wines are now being offered in boxes.
