Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes. The type of grape and even the soil they are grown in affect the type, quality, bouquet and flavor of a wine. Alternatively, it takes a novice wine drinker some time to experiment and develop a palate for certain wines, so in addition to the suggestions below, that must be taken into consideration. What point is there in choosing the "right" bottle when you cannot stand the stuff?
A bottle of wine is a wonderful accompaniment a fantastic meal. There are no hard and fast rules for which wine to drink with which type of meal, per se, but there are some basic, common sense approaches to take when pairing a vintage with a meal.
In some European countries, people grow up knowing these things, because wine is not a special occasion beverage for them, but a natural and necessary part of their meals. In France, for example, wine nearly always graces the dinner table.
To start making good selections of types of wines for different types of meals, it is important to know at least the very basics of which wines are which, because wine varieties run the gamut from light, clear and fruity, to dark, deep rich and red. There are even wines specifically for dessert, and wines that are not meant to be eaten with a meal at all, but to be consumed on their own, in their own right.
Chablis is a white/blush wine that is sweet. Not as sweet as a dessert wine, but still very sweet. It is commonly a wine that American's may start with, due to that sweetness. I can be consumed alone, or accompany a picnic type meal, with salads and light meats, seafood or vegetarian fare. It is also a nice counterpoint for spicier foods, like Tex Mex.
Zinfandel can also be a sweetish, white or blush wine that is a nice accompaniment to meals with white meat, or salads or spicy foods. Zinfandels also come in red varieties, and those are stronger and stand up better to other meals. This is the most flexible wine in the �white� wine category because it comes in so many different levels of flavor.
Chardonnay is a white wine that goes from the sweet end of the spectrum all the way to the crisp, dry end. Many Chardonnays are fermented in oak casks, so that the flavor of the wood will impregnate itself into the wine. This is often the choice for drinking on its own, once one has developed a taste for it. It pairs well with white meats like chicken or turkey, and can even stand up to pork and veal. Chardonnay is a strong, tart wine that can hold its own in almost any situation.
White wines, in general, are good with lighter meats; chicken, turkey, and seafood.
Merlot is a red wine. It is more tart, has a heavier flavor, and is often a favorite of wine consumers who have educated their palate a bit and are ready to try a red. It pairs well with Italian food, beef, pork and veal.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, red wine that stands up well to heavy meals and rich sauces. Beef comes to mind as a good mate for a cab.
There are many other varieties of wine too choose from, but this basic article and a little common sense, infused with your personal preferences, should make choosing a good vintage to go with your meal a much less daunting task.
