Wine Basics – How to Choose Wine

Hattiesburg, MS

Whether you are new to drinking wine or you have enjoyed its delicious flavor for years, choosing the right wine for the perfect occasion or even pairing it with dinner may be a challenge. Remember the difference between wines may not be something that comes naturally to you. Lincoln Road Package Store has provided you with some wine basics to help the next time you go to select a glass or bottle of wine.

Common Types of Wine

Common types of wine are whites and reds. White wines include Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, which range from light and sweet to dry and rich. Red wines tend to be light and fruity such as the Pinot Noir or Zinfindel, or more full-bodied and savory like the Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties. Understanding these differences may help you choose which tastes you prefer. If you like a lighter, sweet wine, a Riesling or a Pinot Gris may be in your favor. However, a more bold flavor would accompany a Cabernet Sauvignon commonly referred to as a Cab.

Here is a breakdown of each of these wines, and their flavors:

Riesling

Riesling wine tends to have a citrus, and stone fruit (white peach or nectarine) as prominent flavors. Floral and sweet herbal elements may also be noted in this acidic white wine. It pairs well with chicken, pork, duck, turkey, and specifically foods such as Indian, Moroccan, Thai, or Vietnamese.

Pinot Gris

With a delicate citrus flavor, notes of apple skin or pear sauce are prominent flavors of this light-bodied white wine, as well as floral notes and cheese rind. It pairs well with light fish dishes, salads, and mild cheeses. Pinot Gris has about half as much acidity as a Riesling.

Sauvignon Blanc

This light to medium-bodied white wine is certainly more aggressive in the citrus flavors but is mixed with flavors of melon, passion fruit, and kiwi. It always packs a herbaceous quality such as grass, mint, or green pepper. This wine makes a perfect pairing with foods such as fish, chicken, veal, pork, Mexican, Vietnamese, goat cheese, gruyere.

Chardonnay

A dry, full-bodied white wine, it is known for its yellow citrus flavors of Meyer lemon, with fruity notes of pear, apple, bananas, and pineapple. Also, it has an oaky flavor from that of cinnamon, butterscotch, and toasted caramel notes. Pairs well with crab, lobster, shrimp, chicken, pork, mushroom, cream sauces, French, soft cheeses such as Brie, and medium cheeses such as gruyere.

Pinot Noir

A dry, red wine with a fruit-forward character, Pinot Noir is a light-bodied red wine that has flavors of cherry, strawberry, blackberry, and raspberry fruits, along with earth-driven layers and notes of warm spice. It is known to be one of the most versatile wines as it pairs well with just about any type of dish, and pleases most people in a crowd. So, when in doubt, you can always side with a Pinot Noir to pair with just about any meal.

Zinfandel

This wine is much sweeter than any other type of wine. With flavors of jam, cherry, plum, blueberry, black pepper, cranberry, and licorice, it pairs well with spicy or curried flavored foods. Also, it compliments barbecued red meats, as well as Manchego cheese, caramelized onions, and roasted vegetables.

Syrah

Syrah is a red wine that can be either full or light-bodied with distinct flavors of blackberry and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied Syrah is made from grapes grown in warmer regions and pairs well with slow-roasted barbecued pork. Light-bodied Syrah is made with grapes grown in a cooler climate and pairs well with lamb dishes such as gyros or Lamb Shawarma as these spices intensify the wine’s flavors of mint, allspice, and clove.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Also referred to as cab, is a full-bodied red wine with bold fruity flavors of black cherry, black currant and blackberry, along with flavors of black pepper, tobacco, licorice, vanilla and violet. This wine pairs well with burgers, pizza, braised short ribs, and marinated ribeye steak. Pairing this wine with savory dishes help bring out the wine’s fruity flavors.

Wine in Hattiesburg

Want to learn more? Contact Lincoln Road Package Store by calling (601) 268-3677 or send an email to jamiefarris@gmail.com. Or, visit our location at 2800 Lincoln Road, Suite A, in Hattiesburg, MS. A member of our knowledgeable and courteous staff will be glad to assist you.

Lincoln Road Package Store is proud to serve the adult beverage needs of Hattiesburg, MS.