Wine labels and menus are notoriously intimidating. Sometimes there’s a pretty picture on the bottle that draws you in but provides no further useful information. Other times, you find yourself staring at a jumble of words you can’t even begin to decipher. If you relate to this, you are not alone. Wine is a daunting subject to tackle due to the unnerving amount of information there is to learn. Many will end up drifting over to the bottle they recognize and know will be a safe bet. There is no harm in that, but for those who want to explore, it can be tough to know where to start. Luckily, this will not be the case for you because I’m here to help curious wine lovers confidently expand their wine knowledge. For some context, I have my WSET Level 3 certification and still find myself overwhelmed in the wine aisle at times. Those moments are when I turn to these tried-and-true methods that have helped me expand my repertoire. 

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First, let’s look at what you do know. For many wine drinkers, California cabernet sauvignon often graces your grocery cart. If you enjoy those wines but want to try something new, let’s focus on one of two things: the type of grape or where it was grown. Cabernet sauvignon is an extremely popular grape that is grown all over the world. A cabernet from Chile could be a good place to start your exploration as this very popular grape is widely grown here and the climate is similar to that of California. Alternatively, you could go for a cabernet from Spain that is blended with a little tempranillo, a very delicious grape local to Spain. Either of these options will be familiar but also have a little twist in the way the wine was made and where the grapes were grown. Sure, there’s a chance that you don’t love the Chilean cabernet quite as much, but that affords you the opportunity to take a trip over to Australia for your next bottle or even stay in the United States and head over to Washington State. The subtle nuances may be indecipherable at first, but eventually, you will have a memorable sip and have learned a little something new about the type of wine you like. Then, hopefully, next time you are at a restaurant looking at the selection of red wines, you will be able to hone in on a few options. From there, you can confidently try something new rather than quickly ordering your usual when you are secretly curious about the rest of the wines listed. 

 

Another example of how to apply this method is with the classic New Zealand sauvignon blanc. This fan favorite has become globally popular for good reason. Every glass is refreshing, aromatic, and full of intense tropical fruit flavor. So, how do we expand from here? Let’s start with where this grape is grown. New Zealand has a maritime climate due to its proximity to the ocean and mild variation in temperatures throughout the seasons. Another region that produces delicious wine in a maritime climate is northwestern Spain. However, this region specializes in a local Spanish grape called albariño which, lucky for you, is my first recommendation to any sauvignon blanc drinker who wants to try something new but familiar. When I say that sauvignon blanc is aromatic, I mean that as you bring your nose up to the glass you are instantly hit with intense fruity and floral aromas. albariño has this same quality and will appease any sauvignon blanc drinker looking for a bright and zesty white wine. Once you’ve tried an albariño from that region, don’t be afraid to venture to other areas of Spain or even Portugal to get to know this grape even better. 

 

Now, let’s take a trip to a region of the world that is also famous for its sauvignon blanc but makes it in a different style. I appreciate sauvignon blanc in its many forms but I’m partial to the versions that come from France. In particular, I adore a bottle from the Loire Valley. There, the climate is cooler and some of that very intense tropical fruit flavor is dialed back. In turn, you get a zingy freshness that isn’t quite as present when compared to a New Zealand sauvignon blanc. The most famous region in the Loire Valley for sauvignon blanc is Sancerre. I highly recommend trying a Sancerre (remember, in France, the wine is named by region and normally doesn’t mention the grape) but all throughout the Loire Valley are regions that specialize in this grape. Once you’ve given France a go, take a trip to California’s North Coast, Chile, or South Africa. If you have experienced it in only one style, the versatility of this grape may be a pleasant surprise.

 

My last tip and sure-fire way to find a wine you may enjoy is taking a break from your typical supermarket wine. Let me state that there is nothing wrong with buying wine at the supermarket. However, the bottles you see in those aisles are all most likely owned or distributed by the same large conglomerates that specialize in high-volume, mass-produced wines. Those wines can be perfectly delicious, but there is so much in this industry worth experiencing outside of that. This is where I tell you to visit your local wine shop. It may seem inconvenient and intimidating, but I assure you, it is not. In the past, you may have shied away from the salesperson in the store when they asked if they could help you for fear of not even knowing what you want. However, that salesperson, like me, is a wine nerd who wants to share the world of wine with you, no matter your budget or taste. I did a short stint working in a wine shop and people were so afraid to say “I want a great bottle of wine at an affordable price point” thinking they needed to spend more to impress me or buy a worthy bottle. The opposite was the case. There’s nothing that I loved more than showing someone a surprisingly well-priced bottle of wine that had some love and care put into its winemaking that blows some of that mass-produced stuff out of the water. 

 

So, in summary, what have we learned? First, start with what you know. Slowly explore from a place of comfort to confidently try your next new sip. Second, trust your local wine shop. These places are carefully curated and full of people who want to help you on your wine journey. Let your curiosity and adventurous nature take you somewhere exciting in the world of wine. You may be surprised by what you find along the way.