Happy National Drink Wine Day! Yes, that's right, today is the day to drink wine and, even better, today is the day to share a bottle of wine with friends and family. But how do you pick the perfect bottle of wine? This is something that I've been struggling with for years but, thankfully, there are 5 things that you should know in order to pick the perfect bottle of wine. Celebrate today with a great bottle of wine alongside your favorite Latin dish and, well, you'll be all set. Enjoy!
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1. Settle on white, rose, or red wine: First of all, figure out if you want to go for white wine, rose (pink), or red wine. You can also opt for a sparkling wine or champagne. However you celebrate today, it's important to know which one you prefer. If you like sweeter drinks, white or rose are your best bet while red wine is great if you like dry drinks.
2. Try a wine from Chile, Spain, or Argentina: Craving to try a Latin wine? You can't go wrong with a wine from one of these countries. Personally, the best wine that I ever had was from Chile and I wasn't really expecting that. They are especially well known for quality reds, so that is always a safe bet.
3. Ask the wine store clerk for help: Not sure where to start? Ask for help! The first time I walked into a wine store, I spent about 30 minutes trying to figure out which wine to get–all because I was too embarrassed to admit I didn't know what I was doing! Instead of letting yourself be frustrated though, talk to the clerk. They are often very knowledgeable and can recommend the perfect wine to go with whatever else you're eating that day.
4. You don't have to spend a fortune: Yes, it's really true! Although I remember seeing a lot of TV shows growing up where some snooty guys swished around and drank bottles of wine that are pricier than my rent, it definitely doesn't need to be this way. Remember that delicious wine I mentioned? It was $7. Part of the reason for tips #2 and #3 is to show yourself that good wine doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg! Don't be afraid to try something cheaper. You might be really surprised.
5. When in doubt, have a tasting party: Recently, I was lucky enough to try wine from TastingRoom.com, a company who specializes in bringing you personalized wine attention and little bottles of wine so that you can try all different kinds to really see what you like. You can also do the same with some friends. Ask everyone to bring their favorite bottle of wine and then spend the evening laughing, having fun and tasting each other's favorites. It'll help you figure out what else you might like! Just don't be afraid to experiment.
Image via Irina Gonzalez
