Posted on: Wednesday, January 19, 2005

RAISE A GLASS
Everyone's taste varies, so find wines that suit yours

By Kimberly Karalovich

Have you ever bought a wine and brought it home with eager anticipation only to be disappointed upon tasting it?

Your disappointment may not always be the fault of the wine. Rather, it could be because the wine you selected is simply not your style. Having a good buying strategy can help eliminate poor buying decisions and help avoid disappointment.

Wine is a consumable that can be a meal all by itself or create another dimension of enjoyment when paired with a compatible dish. I shop for wine in the same way that I shop for groceries. I buy food that I am in the mood to eat just as I buy wine that I am in the mood to drink. I can easily select food items that I know I will enjoy and always be satisfied with them, because I know what I like. You know what foods you like because you've spent a lifetime tasting and experimenting, and you grew up in a certain environment that helped shape your flavor preferences.

Selecting a nice bottle of wine that suits your taste should not be any more difficult than shopping for foods that suit your taste, once you spend some time learning what you like.

Imagine going to the grocery store without a shopping list and without being hungry, selecting only foods that are on sale rather than what you are in the mood to eat. Even if you could create a decent dish from the foods you selected, would you be satisfied? Or would you be better satisfied if you selected food based on what you felt like eating instead of price? If you only shop for wines according to price, and only select wines on "sale" without any other considerations, then bringing home a bottle that you really enjoy will at best be a maybe ... or a maybe not.

Here are some things to consider each time you buy wine.

• First, determine what your budget is, but know that price is relative. You may want steak for dinner, but is it a flank steak night or a New York steak night? Price is relative to quality. Complex wines usually start around $15 retail. You can find nice quaffable wines for less; they just make less of an impression. Regardless of your budget, you should be able to find a wine to satisfy if you also take the following into consideration.

• Consider your mood. What do you feel like drinking — red or white wine, light or full bodied wine? This is comparable to deciding whether you want something light like fish or something heavy like steak for dinner. Knowing which wines are lighter body verses full body can really be helpful for selecting a wine that will satisfy. Think of the body of wine in relation to milk. Skim milk feels light in your mouth in comparison to heavy cream, which feels fuller, richer. In wine, a pinot noir has a light feel while a cabernet sauvignon feels fuller, richer. If you were in the mood for something light in body, and unknowingly selected a cabernet sauvignon, you would probably be a little disappointed.

• Consider which grape varietals you like. Most countries list the grape varietal on the label. Learn which grape varietals you like best. Each grape varietal has its own distinct flavors.

• Consider which region the wine comes from. This is important because regardless of the grape varietal, the flavors will change according to where it is grown. A chardonnay from Australia will typically be more fruit-driven than a chardonnay from California because of the difference in climate.

• When you find a wine that satisfies your taste, take time to read the label on the bottle and remember the region it comes from, the varietal and the price point. I don't advise trying to memorize the name because it may be difficult to find that exact wine again in the future.

Keep in mind budget, style, varietal, and region along with spending time tasting different wines, and not only will disappointment be a thing of the past, but your next bottle of wine will be a pleasant and satisfying experience. Taste is a journey, not a destination. Cheers!

Kimberly Karalovich is wine consultant and general manager of The Wine Stop, 1809 South King St., 946-3707. See www.thewinestophawaii.com.