How to choose a good wine according to your tastes and the occasion?

Choosing a good wine can seem a difficult task given the variety of labels, regions and types of wine. But if you know what to look for and what occasion the wine is for, you can easily find a bottle to suit your needs, without having to be a connoisseur. With just a few basic tips, at Consum you will be able to choose the right bottle for each occasion according to your personal tastes. From well-structured reds to fresh or sweet whites, we are going to teach you how to find the best wine according to your preferences and the occasion it is for.

What do we need to take into account before choosing a bottle of wine?

1. Your personal tastes and who you are going to share it with. This means yours and those of the people you are going to share the wine with. It is important to know what stage of wine drinking maturity the other people have reached. Some people prefer simple, pleasant wines, whereas others look for true gems, special wines or want to be surprised. Preferences in terms of taste and nose will help you with your search for the right wine. Wine made from Muscatel, Malvasia or Gewürztraminer grapes, for example, are very aromatic and floral. If you enjoy full-bodied, intense wines, reds from the Rioja or Ribera del Duero regions could be an excellent choice. If you prefer lighter, fresher wines, perhaps an Albariño or Verdejo wine could be ideal.

Do you prefer smoother flavours? → Choose a young white wine or light red.

Do you like intense, full-bodied wines? → Go for crianza or reserva aged wines.

Perhaps you prefer a more floral, fruity wine? → Try very fruity grapes.

2. Think about the occasion. What is the wine for? We probably won’t choose the same wine for a formal dinner as for a more casual event. Choose a crianza aged wine for a special dinner with red meat, whereas for afternoon tapas or a more informal meal, a fruity white or sparkling wine could be a good choice. Sparkling wine is a must at sophisticated meals or important celebrations. If you would like to play at guessing or surprising your guests, try some international wines.

3. Pairing with the food: Combining the wine with the food is key to enhancing flavours. Some basic examples are as follows:

• Red meat or heavy meals: Red crianza aged wines (Rioja, Ribera del Duero).
• Fish, shellfish or salad and mild vegetables: Fresh white wines such as Verdejo or Albariño.
• Spicy dishes: Fruity reds or aromatic whites such as Gewürztraminer.
• Desserts: Sweet wines such as Muscatel or Pedro Ximénez, or fortified wines such as Sherry.

Here's my shopping list for when I go to Consum supermarkets:

• For a romantic dinner: A full-bodied red wine with hints of fruit could be a good choice. Try Marqués de Riscal Reserva or Viña Pomal Crianza.
• For a light meal or snack: A refreshing white wine is ideal. Some recommended choices would be Martin Códax Albariño or Protos Verdejo.
• For celebrations: Sparkling wines are always a safe bet. You could perhaps choose Anna de Codorníu Brut or Freixenet Carta Nevada, which are perfect for toasting.

- For desserts or casual reunions: A sweet wine makes an excellent choice. Muscatel or Pedro Ximénez, both available at Consum supermarkets, are perfect to serve with desserts and blue cheese.

Final tips for choosing your wine:

Check the label: Labels provide information about the winery, the designation of origin and tasting notes, to give you an idea about the wine you are going to try. There are a lot of good, affordable wines.

Try different ones: Don’t be afraid to try wines made from different grape varieties and from different vine-growing regions.

Check with the experts: The employees at Consum and at specialist shops can advise you according to your preferences.

In short, choosing a good wine does not need to give you a headache. With these tips and the choice at Consum supermarkets you are sure to find the perfect wine for each occasion and be able to enjoy a marvellous wine-tasting experience. Cheers!