WINES vary hugely, which is partly why buying them may seem a little daunting.
Despite this, however, purchasing wine is something that most of us enjoy doing fairly regularly; for example, you might have an important dinner party coming up or another special occasion to cater for. Alternatively, you may be looking for something to drink with your partner after work. Whatever the occasion, wine will likely play an important role in the evening’s entertainment.
Standing in the supermarket aisle, you may be a bit puzzled about which type of wine will suit the meal you’re preparing and satisfy everyone’s taste buds. Well, worry no longer as here are five great all-purpose wines that are sure to please all your guests and suit a variety of occasions.
The ‘weight’ of your planned meal is one of the first things you will need to consider when deciding on which wine to serve. Heavier meals require a more robust wine (generally red, although some whites will stand up to the task), while lighter dishes are better complimented by a more delicate wine. Generally, red meat is classed as heavy, while white meat and fish is lighter (with meats such as pork lying somewhere in the middle).
Calbuco Merlot
A Merlot wine, such as Calbuco from Chile, sits in the middle of the weight scale, and is therefore usually a safe bet for a variety of foods. Softer, lighter-bodied Merlots can accompany fish and shellfish (proving that you don’t have to always pair white wine with seafood), while heavier varieties (such as Calbuco, which contains rich fruity flavours and a hint of tobacco leaf) work well with grilled meats and mature hard cheeses (although watch out for blue cheeses, which tend not to go well with Merlots).
Rymill Sauvignon Blanc
If you are planning on treating your guests to spicy cuisine you will be safe trying out a sweeter wine; the spicy flavours of your dish will be complimented nicely be the sweetness of the wine. A white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, is pretty favourable here as the cool crisp flavours will help to cleanse the palate.
Rymill Sauvignon Blanc from Australia is an excellent example. This easy-drinking wine sits very well alongside both spicy food and lighter meals; it’s also the perfect choice to serve at parties before dinner.
If you choose to buy wine online, you’ll find that this sort of information is easily accessible; a good wine merchant or online wine club will guide you through the entire process and help you choose the perfect selection of wines for your next social gathering.
Tinpot Hut Sauvignon Blanc
Tinpot Hut Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is another great example of an all-purpose wine; it suits many situations and allows you to choose from seafood, light meals and white meat. This wine is full of character, with distinct gooseberry-grass flavours and a hint of passion fruit and kiwi; perfect when served ice cold on a hot summer’s day.
You may be starting to notice a pattern here: New Zealand and Australia have cropped up a few times. This is no coincidence, as many New World wines are great all-rounders.
Cerro del Masso Chianti
Cerro del Masso Chianti, from Tuscany in Italy (a Sangiovese grape), fits the all-purpose description nicely. It has a deep ruby colour and plenty of ripe red berry flavours; it’s great for everyday drinking as well as special occasions.
Crossroads Pinot Grigio
Crossroads Pinot Grigio, another New Zealand wine, is the fifth of our selection of all-purpose wines. This is a brand that has won numerous awards in the wine-making industry, and you will be able to see why in the taste. Your friends will be blown away by this wine, which is bursting with flavour.
Learning about wine has never been easier; there are so many guides available to buy and read online. If you plan well ahead, you will host an unforgettable party simply by choosing the perfect wine. Of course, if you really want to make an impact then you might want to take a look at some rarer finds available online.
