Drink Wine Day: How to Pick your Wine

It’s National Drink Wine Day on the 18th and you have an infinite number of choices available to you. How do you pick the perfect wine for an occasion?

At PROJECT M, we subscribe to the philosophy that there is a right wine for every occasion but never a wrong one. Never in the history of wine has a poorly chosen bottle ruined a meal, date, or day. That said, we also believe in squeezing potential out of each moment and encourage you to give it some thought and move forward without fear. Below we explain some considerations to include in your decision-making process.

The Weather

Yes, weather. Are you bringing this wine to a BBQ on a sunny patio or the weekend cabin during ski season?

Warmer, sunnier settings tend to demand a wine capable of refreshing. The obvious choice in these situations is white and rosé wines. Still, a well-selected medium body red such as a Pinot Noir from Oregon's Eola Amity Hills can also rise to the occasion.

When the skies are gray, the sidewalks wet, or streets covered in snow, one usually calls on red wines' nurturing nature to fortify and console. However, don't discount a serious white wine in this situation. Well-built, precise, and pure Riesling, from cooler climates such as the Willamette Valley or Germany, are appropriate for the occasion, as are structured, barrel-fermented Chardonnays.

The Meal

Keeping in mind that the odds of a destructive pairing are rare, one need not confine themselves to the "red with meat, white with fish" rule. Try approaching pairings from the standpoint of texture or flavor.

Rich, opulent dishes should be paired with wines that have enough presence to stand up to that. If these dishes are also fatty, selecting a wine with substantial acidity and tension can prevent the dish from tiring the palate. In contrast, more delicate dishes are well served by wines that rely more on finesse than power.

Considering specific flavors in the dish and selecting wines that have similar profiles is another strategy. Are there "earthy" flavored foods; mushrooms, potatoes, beets in the dish? When fruits are used in savory dishes, consider the colors. For instance, a duck breast served with spiced apples would graciously welcome a Riesling, while that same duck breast with a cherry sauce would sing with a Pinot Noir.

When pairing with spicy foods, consider tannins as they dry the mouth and can exacerbate heat. Generally, white wines, especially Riesling and Pinot Gris, are great options.

While some food and wine pairings can be revelatory, they rarely create conflicts. Nearly any meal is better with wine than without. Don't worry too much and have fun.

The Company

Does the friend coming over to hang on the back patio get headaches when they drink red wine? Is the couple you're going to the beach house with serious wine geeks? Does your mom only like sweet wines or your uncle only drink Cabernet? The thoughtfulness and generosity of considering who you are with and what they might prefer will be a much more significant contribution to a memorable evening than any wine could be. Rosé in a red solo cup could create a more memorable experience than a cult cabernet in fine crystal, depending on who you're with.

While we discussed a few considerations in selecting a wine, there are many more depending on the situation and what you find essential. With a little bit of thought, a wine selection can enhance nearly any situation. However, there is never a wrong wine.