Tonight is the birthday party of a friend of yours who knows a thing or two about wine. So you decide to offer him a nice bottle of wine, but unfortunately you don’t know much about wine.

Region, appellation, grape variety… You’re a little lost when faced with so many choices at the wine shop. Don’t panic, we’re here to guide you!

Choosing the right vintage

When will the wine be tasted? If you’re going to be tasting the bottle over the weekend, it’s best to choose one that’s already reached maturity, between 5 and 10 years old depending on the appellation and grape variety.

If you think your friend will keep it in the cellar, opt instead for a wine for laying down that is still young. These bottles can increase in value over time, and they gain considerably in quality over time! For example, Grands Crus de Bourgogne or Crus classés au Classement de 1855 des vins de Bordeaux are good choices.

Match it to the evening’s dishes

As you know, the bottle will be tasted this evening. But which to choose? It all depends on the dish you’re going to serve.

A young white wine from the Loire or Burgundy will be perfect to bring a nice freshness to an aperitif.

For the meal, you can opt for a fruity red wine like a Burgundy or Beaujolais. They go very well with cold meats such as carpaccio or beef tartare.

If a piece of beef or game is expected for the dish, we recommend a more powerful wine, such as a Syrah from the Côte du Rhône.

Otherwise, stick to the classics with a Bordeaux wine a few years old. It combines fruit, roundness and character to sublimate a fine meat.

If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, try a bottle of champagne like a Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs or a Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs. These classic aperitifs and desserts never disappoint!

Photo by Matt Twyman / Unsplash