Attitudes towards wine consumption, and the tastes of the average consumer, are dependant on several cultural aspects. When choosing a wine, one is bombarded with logos and different names that can often seem bewildering. Red or White? Californian or French? 

Selecting a wine for your meal and/or other purposes requires a wealth of knowledge. These days, wine connoisseurs are taking to social media to explain the differences between the various types of wine, and possibly influence purchases one way or the other. Ordinary people can use SocialGreg for social media growth, enabling them to have a great impact on consumer purchasing behavior such as which wine to choose. These are a few things to consider when choosing your next bottle. 

California Vs. French

They are seemingly connected, with many common names such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet. The reason for this similarity lies in a crisis French vineyards faced in the mid-19th century. Facing blight, their graveyards were completely destroyed. Importing grafts from American vineyards (which were originally taken from France), they were able to return to their former glory. Although the same varieties of grapes are used in both vineyards, there are more factors that affect the outcome. The environment, soil, and even methods used in wine-making can drastically change the final product. French wines have more subtle notes, whereas California boasts a punch of fruity tones. California’s warm climate also gives their wines a more acidic, alcoholic flavor than their French counterparts. 

Wine Apps

In this day and age, where everyone owns a smartphone; there is an app for everything. Of course, there are apps that can help you choose wines based on your preferences. Some apps allow users to rate different wines, giving you insight into which are the more popular types.

Experiment

You shouldn’t be afraid to experiment with different wines. After all, taste is subjective, and you will enjoy a certain wine if you personally like the taste. Use other people’s opinions only as a guideline and don’t make their choices as set in stone. You can also try wines from smaller vineyards, or from other countries. Wine from less popular regions can be cheaper, yet still of high quality. Wines from the caucasian country Georgia are an example. Boasting itself as the birthplace of wine, bottles imported from this region are often less expensive but more enjoyable. 

Red or White?

It may seem there are many complex rules on which wine pairs well with which meal. If you are just dipping your toes into wine tasting, this may be overwhelming. So forget the complicated rules. Know the difference between the two and pick for yourself. White wines are generally made from white grapes (although often using the juice of red grapes is possible). A rule of thumb is usually that lighter food pair with white wine and heavier foods pair with red.

Keep in mind that red wines contain more tannins. Health benefits aside, this gives red wine that slightly bitter taste you might be familiar with when drinking a cup of strong tea. Traditionally, white wines are for any occasion, even if not a meal. Contrarily, red wines are usually reserved for the table.

Whichever wine you choose to imbibe, keep in mind that there is absolutely no wrong answer. Take the time to figure out your personal tastes, and stick to them. If you find something you enjoy, look at the label and try to remember the name in the future. Most importantly don’t stress about it too much, and enjoy yourself. Wine never produced to stress you out - it was made to be enjoyed.