WINE

A real beginner’s

guide to wine

Wine should be unpretentious, accessible and enjoyable, and in this same spirit, local enthusiast Nat Chadwick has been exploring autonomously, encouraging us all to do the same

Whether you’re confronting the wall of rouge on a Friday night at Tesco, or discreetly Googling the drinks menu in front of an unimpressed date, wine can seem confusing. Pair that with the occasional snootiness leaking from self-professed connoisseurs and it becomes even less appetising to learn about.

Wine is one of the oldest, most widely consumed beverages in the world; enjoyed by humans –peasants and kings alike –for centuries. Wine is for all so don’t let anyone convince you it’s not. Many online guides focus on the structure of wine and how to consume it, but how helpful is that when you’re faced with actually buying the stuff? With my wine-drinking credentials vigorously reinforced through lockdown, I’d like to introduce you to some simple, self-taught tips on levelling up your vino experience. Happily, it’s one of the few topics where alcohol consumption harmonises with learning...

Enjoy it (obvious, right?)

While this seems an obvious tip, it’s easy to swig and leave it at that. Yes, this is a fundamental part of the experience but there is a great opportunity in this moment to take away something more. What I mean is, enjoy it and also think about that. What is it that you enjoy? Is there a fruity flavour tantalising your tastebuds, or is it something else? Then it’s as simple as noting where the wine came from –and I don’t mean Lidl’s speciality section, but the region and grape variety on the bottle. Next, explore similar wines from the region or variety and you can compare their differences and understand what you enjoy about them so you know what to look out for next time you’re out.

Follow the signposts

As a rule of thumb, the more detail provided on the label the better the wine is likely to be. Just a grape variety? It’s probably mass-produced, perfect for a cheap night out. A variety and a country? A little more hopeful. A variety, a country, and a region? Now we’re talking. All of the above and a producer or vineyard? You’re onto a winner! The better quality the wine, the prouder the producer, thus they’re more likely to want to show off exactly where it’s from.

Keep it local

Since you might be hard-pressed (pun intended) to source wine from your local regional grape in the UK, the suggestion here is to find a nearby wine merchant and start buying your booze from them. And ‘wine merchant’ does not translate to exposed brick walls racked with bank-breaking vinos, but typically your local off-licence is technically a merchant and will stock a selection of affordable and excellent wines. Merchants will select the wines themselves, meaning their passion and knowledge of the product will guide you to a unique, quality wine within your price range. Plus, if you think about it, you’re supporting a small business by drinking wine, it’s a vin-win!

Play sommelier

Don’t be mistaken, sitting solo and enjoying a bottle of red or white (both if you’re in the mood) is nothing to be ashamed of, but discussing a glass with a friend elevates the experience beautifully. Putting on your imaginary sommelier pin and Googling ‘wine descriptors’ is a fun way to appreciate the craft, culture and palate of the wine. Talking about what you’re drinking helps you remember various aspects and therefore expand your education.

In the spirit of full disclosure, my experience with wine is only that of an amateur enthusiast. I enjoy reading about it, understanding its geography, memorising varietals and so on, but I couldn’t slurp a full-bodied red and decipher it in an instant, nor could I confidently test its quality in front of a waiter and give anything more than an unconvincing nod of approval. But wine should be unpretentious, accessible and enjoyable. I call this a real beginner’s guide because its simplicity allows you to explore wine’s complexities and pick out a semi-decent bottle without worrying it’s your swirling-to-sniffing technique that’s holding you back. So, spot a bottle you fancy, open with a friend, and let the wine do the rest. ■

• Follow Nat Chadwick’s stories on Instagram @flavourbois

We are a local wine school hosting events in Bristol and Bath. Choose from our Cheese and Wine Matching night, a Fine Wine tasting, Wines of the World evening courses, Gin tasting, and so much more. We also do unforgettable hen parties and corporate events. We don’t sell wine, we sell confidence in wine knowledge from a DipWSET qualified teacher. Tastings, courses and events are now also available online. Get in touch or see website for further details.

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