Trick No. 1: Show a wine pro a picture of a wine you previously enjoyed.
If you're not sure how to talk about your taste in wine, just let your smartphone point the way. Showing a wine expert a picture of the label will provide a lot of clues that they can use to find something else you will enjoy.
Why this works: Every wine label contains all sorts of clues about the wine you drank — where it's from, the grape(s) used, age, winemaking style, etc. This allows the experts to find similar wines from their list/store.
Trick No. 2: Use four simple descriptors to convey information about what you like.
Using some or all of the descriptors below will communicate volumes to a wine pro. If you like light, fruity red wines, they might recommend a pinot noir from Chile or California. If you prefer light and earthy, they might focus on a French Beaujolais or Burgundy.
If your mind goes blank when handed the wine list or upon entering a store, write these in your notes app on your phone:
- Sweet vs. dry (not sweet)
- Heavy (or big) vs. light
- Red vs. white vs. rosé
- Fruity vs. earthy (less fruity flavors)
Why this works: These descriptors narrow down the field to a point where wine pro gets a sense of your taste preferences.
Trick No. 3: Pay attention to where your favorite wine is made.
While all wines from California don't taste the same, they do share characteristics that typically make them different from the wines of Italy, Germany or Argentina. The more specific you can be with your favorite locations, the better — but even broad, country-level descriptors can help focus an expert's recommendation.
Why this works: The differences in wine are largely due to the differences in climate where the grapes were grown. Sharing the region you prefer sends valuable clues.
Trick No. 4: Use a wine app on your phone.
I wrote about a number of wine apps for your smartphone a few years ago, and there are many more that have surfaced since that time. My app of choice at the moment is Vivino, which I use exclusively for my tasting notes of new wines (the app does a lot more than that if you want it to).
Why this works: Just like trick No. 1, this creates a reference point for the wine pro to do their thing.
Trick No. 5: Specify your price.
Expensive wine is better right? Sometimes.
There are excellent wines at virtually every price point and wine pros generally love discovering a mid- or low-priced wine that rocks.
So what if you're in a situation where the wines get super expensive and you don't want to look cheap?
You are not the first to find yourself in this situation, and wine pros are very attuned to price anxiety. Here are two ways to help yourself out of the situation:
- Point to two wines of similar price and say, "I'm considering [wine 1] and [wine 2]. Would you recommend one or the other? Or perhaps something similar?" If both wines are equivalently priced, that should get your point across.
- Write a note on your phone saying something like, "My company requires that I keep the price of wine below $50, and I'm hoping you can help me with a good option."
Why this works: Your state of mind impacts your enjoyment. If you're comfortable, the wine will be better! Also, everyone in the wine business loves making customers happy and price is often a crucial barrier to happiness.
Most good wine stores and restaurants carry hidden gems at many price points. A good wine pro will help you expand your wine experience at every price point and style. The more clues you provide about your preferences, the more helpful they can be at helping you find what you want.
