How Do You Tell Your Wine Preferences?

Clients and friends regularly say to me “I Know What I Like, But I Don’t Know What I Like”. It’s a common problem because we often aren’t given the time to work out our own individual preferences and end up just picking a wine that we recognise.

So often we buy the same wine in a restaurant and limit ourselves to a “Sauvignon Blanc” or a “Malbec” - but there are over 10,000 wine grape varieties out there! You wouldn’t limit yourself to two foods would you?

Wines also vary depending where they come from. You might hate a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc – typically quite fruity with gooseberry or tropical notes – but love a French Sancerre (also a Sauvignon Blanc!) which is from a cooler climate and therefore greener, fresher with more mineral notes. So don’t write off a grape just because you had it once before.

It’s time to be wine-curious - but when you’re faced with a shelf of supermarket wine or a restaurant menu… how do you know what style you like best?

Let’s look at flavour and your palate…

1. How do you take your coffee?

If you enjoy a black coffee you can probably handle astringency, spice and acidity so try a Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc or a bold Chianti. If you prefer a creamy latte then maybe go for a wine with softer flavours and creamier texture like Chardonnay or Amarone or Merlot.

2. What kind of fruit is in your basket?

• Are you into lemons, grapefruits and crisp green apples? Then you probably like citrusy refreshing white wines like an Albarino, Grenache Blanc or a Chablis

• Do you prefer peaches and ripe pears? Try a Chenin Blanc or a Riesling

• Tropical pineapples and mangos? Try a New World, warmer climate Chardonnay with its tropical notes

• Soft cherries, strawberries and raspberries? Valpolicella, Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais will have those light red notes

• Blackberries, blackcurrents, blueberries? A Cab Sauvignon or a Malbec will be up your street

3. Do you usually like food with bolder, richer flavours or do you prefer lighter more elegant fare?

Typically, cooler climates retain more refreshing acidity which means they are more elegant, lighter, zesty, greener. Warmer climates tend to create smoother, richer wines with typically higher alcohol and more body.

For example - The chardonnay grape grown in Chablis (Chablis is Chardonnay FYI) is going to be fresher with more citrus, orchard fruit, white blossom and minerals. A chardonnay from hot California is more likely to be buttery and creamy, with more ripe peach and tropical fruit flavours. So, keep an eye out for where the wine you like comes from.

4. Do you like a bit of spice in your life?

Peppery notes are common in Shiraz (also known as Syrah), white pepper notes are common in Gruner Veltliner and Riojas and Malbecs are both bold, spicier wines.

5. Finally, are you someone who stops to smell the roses? Maybe floral notes get you going? Try a floral Viognier or a Gewurtzraminer from Alsace – in fact Alsace wines in general from the Pinot Gris to the Riesling will be richly aromatic – and if you’re looking for lighter blossoms then a Torrontes from Argentina is a beautiful choice.

For some lockdown fun why not get in 3 whites and 3 reds which are typically v different and do your own mini tasting. Write down what you taste and smell, which you prefer and why. This is all about your own palate and preferences so remember, there are no wrong answers!