The Ultimate Beginner's Guide To Wine By Sonal C Holland

Many beginners often remark, “Wine doesn’t get me drunk.” This belief stems from the perception that wine, with its lower alcohol by volume (ABV) than spirits, is less intoxicating. However, this is a misconception.

A standard 60 ml serving of whisky at 40% ABV contains 24 ml of pure alcohol. In contrast, a typical 150 ml glass of wine at 14% ABV holds approximately 21 ml of pure alcohol. This means that consuming multiple glasses of wine can lead to a significant intake of alcohol, comparable to or even exceeding that of spirits. Therefore, it's essential to approach wine with the same mindfulness and moderation as any other alcoholic beverage.

Wine is a delightful and complex drink, offering a range of flavours and experiences. However, understanding its alcohol content is crucial for responsible enjoyment. Always be aware of your consumption and savour wine thoughtfully.

Wines can be broadly classified into three main types:

Still Wine: These are the most common wines, with no bubbles or carbonation. They typically have an alcohol level between 11.5% and 14% ABV. Still wines can be white, red, or rosé.

Sparkling Wine: These wines contain bubbles. Now, the first word to come to your mind might be Champagne. However, it is important to note that Champagne is a type of sparkling wine made exclusively in the Champagne region of France. Some other popular styles of sparkling wine are Prosecco from Italy and Cava from Spain.

Fortified Wine: Fortified wines have additional alcohol added, due to which they have a higher percentage of alcohol, typically between 15 and 22 percent. Some popular examples of fortified wines are Portugal’s Port and Sherry from Spain.

Pro Tip: Know more about different types of wine with this guide! 

The most efficient and effective way of tasting wine is the 5S method. It helps you appreciate different aspects of wine and works for all styles of wine. The five “S” here stand for:

See and observe the colour of the wine. 

Swirl the wine to aerate it. This interaction with air oxidises the wine and unlocks different types of aromas in it.

Sniff the wine. Pause for a few seconds and think about all the aromas you smell. 

Sip: Now it's time to take a small sip and swish the wine in your mouth. Don’t worry about all the strange looks you may get. Instead, focus on what you taste.

Savour: Lastly, cherish the wine. Appreciate all its nuances and do not rush to empty your glass. If you truly want to enjoy your red wine, then sip it slowly.

A lot of people assume that a hefty price tag automatically means a better wine, but that’s not always the case. In reality, price doesn’t guarantee quality. Even an affordable bottle from a reputable producer can offer great balance, flavour, and structure. That’s why it’s smarter to choose wines based on the credibility and consistency of the producer, rather than how expensive the label looks. A good producer puts care into every bottle, no matter the price point, so you’re more likely to enjoy what’s in your glass.

Never store wines in cupboards or a kitchen refrigerator. If you love to collect wines, invest in good wine cabinets or wine coolers, as they are the best for long-term storage. Wine coolers are designed to protect wine from direct sunlight, heat, cold, humidity, and vibrations. Your kitchen refrigerator is not good for long-term wine storage as it has low humidity, which can dry out a wine bottle’s cork and cause spillage. However, the kitchen refrigerator works just fine if you want to speed-chill a bottle for a party or store it for a couple of days. 

The most important serving tip for wine is to get the service temperature right. That’s because many people believe that red wine should be served at room temperature and white wine should be served cold. However, wine comes from Europe, which is known to have a cooler climate.

At Indian room temperature, the smell of alcohol will overpower all other aromas in your red wine, while the tannins will keep other flavours from coming through. In the context of white wines, drinking them too cold mutes the aromas and flavours of the wine, and it tastes tart.

So, the correct serving temperature of red wine is 15-18 °C, for white wines is 8-12°C, and for sparkling wines is 6-10°C. Here’s an easy way to remember it- drink your red wines cool, white wines cold, and sparkling wines chilled.

Every year, we organise India’s largest blind-tasting competition for wines and spirits in India with the intent of creating a comprehensive drinking guide for consumers in the country. These are some of the beginner-friendly options from this guidebook.

However, I would recommend trying as many different styles of wines as possible to refine your palate. Don't stick to recommendations; if a wine works for you, enjoy it. 

White wine: Grover Zampa Art Collection Chenin Blanc 2024. It has a crisp acidity and refreshing flavour profile, with notes of grapefruit, pineapple, and guava, making it a pleasant and approachable white wine for those new to wine tasting. Its medium body and lingering finish make it of an easy-drinking nature. 

Red wine: Fratelli ‘Sette’ 2022. It has flavour notes of smoked vanilla and spice and is a premium red wine. It jas a medium body and is of an elegant and approachable nature for beginners. It has a fruit-forward character, so it helps beginners assess and taste the wine easily. 

White wine: Marco Felluga Collio Mongris Pinot Grigio 2021. Pinot Grigio, in general, is considered an easy-to-drink wine, with bright acidity and light body, making it a refreshing, beginner-friendly option. It will not overpower your palate with tannins or strong flavours. 

Red wine: Le Grand Noir Pinot Noir IGP Pays D'OC 2022. Being fruity and light-bodied compared to heavier options like Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a pleasant option to consider. Its silky and smooth texture, delicate aroma, and fruity flavours make it an easy option to pair with food too. 

You almost missed out on some more wine awesomeness! Here's the ultimate guide to homegrown wine brands to invest in, the best homegrown Rosé wines you'll fall in love with, and the best red wine brands to collect, so you can always sip some perfection!