A Girl’s Guide to Wine Shopping (and Drinking)

There’s nothing that can make a girl feel more sophisticated than a nice glass of wine as she sits in an expensive restaurant, charming her dinner companions. The glass held just right to show off her soft, elegant hands, the wine picked out to indicate her good taste, the heady rush of delicious alcohol to relax the tension and pleasure the senses. But all this requires the perfect bottle, and a fantasy can easily turn sour when the waiter hands you the wine menu and you stare at it in confusion, overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. Girl, I’ve been there. Since all of us deserve a good glass of wine, here I help you with picking out the best one for any occasion. Let’s dive into the world of hedonism!

Wine types: red, white, and rose

Okay, so you already know the basic “colors” of wine, but what about all the other things? Besides the basic three that everyone understands, there are two more types to keep in mind: sparkling and fortified. Champagne is the most famous type of sparkling wine, and fortified wines are usually the ones that are served with dessert. Beside wine types, there are varietals. Cabernet and merlot are the most popular red wines, and sauvignon, chardonnay, and pinot grigio are the most popular white wines. Here’s a handy little chart on how to pair your booze with your food – it mostly comes down to taking your beef, pork, red sauce pasta, and hard cheese with red wine, and your seafood, poultry, and lighter cream snacks with white. Port, sherry, and Madeira are dessert wines and if you have a sweet tooth, you are going to be in for some fun when you pair a chocolate cake with ruby port and enjoy that combination of sweet, velvety, and fruity in your mouth.

Foolproof choices

If you’re at a restaurant and aren’t sure what to pick just ask the waiter for a recommendation. Don’t be shy, because this is literally their job and no one’s going to judge you for not being the world’s biggest wine expert. You know what they will judge you for? Pretending to know a lot when you know very little. Not knowing much about wine doesn’t make you appear like an uneducated plebe, don’t worry. Simply ask, and enjoy exploring tastes and smells of wine as you slowly learn. When you’re at a party and feel in doubt just pick champagne – it’s delicious, it’s sparkly, and fun, and it’s incredibly refreshing when served cold. Chardonnay is also a good choice because it has a lovely rich taste and light herbal undertones.

Let’s talk prices

The deal with wine is pretty much you get what you pay for, but this all falls into water if you’re abroad. In Spain and Italy, for example, excellent wine can be found for only a few euros (because what else do you expect from sassy Italians), and it’s entirely possible to find delicious booze without breaking the bank. Back when I lived in Australia, my favourite things in the world were bottle shops in Sydney CBD that deliver to your home. Um, excellent booze that someone just brings to your house without you moving a muscle? Hello, and sign me up! You need about fifteen to twenty bucks for a really nice bottle of wine, but if you’re on a budget, here’s a tip – make Sangria. It’s an easy way to make cheap wine tastier, and it’s perfect for a party night with your friends.

Buy in bulk  

Hey, it’s not like wine can go bad. And like we mentioned about wines abroad – if you find cheap, quality wine, just buy a few bottles. You’re going to love sipping on it and enjoying the memories from your vacation. Same goes for sales and special offers – buy your favourite wine while it’s cheap because you’ll drink it at one point (or give it away as a gift).

Wine is kind of a very classy way to have a load of fun. A very sexy, French way to get sloshed and look totally elegant while doing it. Don’t take your wine too seriously – just drink what you think is nice and explore new tastes when you can. The point is to relax and enjoy yourself, not worry too much about labels.

About the author:

Roxana is a travel enthusiast and lifestyle consultant from Sydney and she loves to write about her adventures. She is all about the healthy lifestyle, loves to run with her husband and dogs and has fun cooking exotic meals for her family. Being a typical Aussie, she often hits the waves and loves beaches and sunshine! You can find out more about her writing following her on twitter and facebook. She is also one of the editors at Higstylife Magazine.