Natural red wines of different brands. Typical mistakes when choosing a wine

With a good semi-sweet wine, even an ordinary dinner becomes a celebration. And if fortified and dry wines are not your main passion, then this review is for you.

Consider which semi-sweet wine is better to choose for a holiday, gift or anniversary, which is good white or red.

Which semi-sweet wine is better - red or white?

How many people - so many tastes, and it is not entirely correct to be guided by the opinion of another person in choosing the most delicious semisweet wine. Good wine is a complex and volatile drink, and each tongue (taste buds on the tongue) feels the same drink differently.
That is why we made our top wines guided, first of all, by the label on the bottle of wine. There is an opinion that it is better to read the composition of the wine once than to try the drink blindly for twenty years. The label has a huge number of designations that allow the buyer to find out detailed information about:

• harvest year;
• sugar and alcohol levels;
• the origin of the wine;
• grape sort;
• beverage class;
• address and name (name) of the manufacturer:
• combination of wine with food.

• do not contain the data listed above;
• have a label with peeled edges, glue streaks and blurry inscriptions;
• the grape variety is not indicated, but contains an incomprehensible mixture, dyes and preservatives.

A little about the design of wine bottles. For example, elite wines are most often poured into "heavy" bottles made of dark brown or dark green glass. Light containers with thin and light glasses are used for wines that are not intended for long-term aging.

Advice. Good wine cannot be too cheap. As a rule, "the more zeros, the tastier", but there are exceptions. And if it so happened that there was not enough money for a favorite wine product, then it is better to give preference to an inexpensive wine made from one grape variety. Blended alcoholic drinks at a low price are an explosive mixture of dubious quality.

The best low-cost semi-sweet wines are:

And if everything is more or less clear with inexpensive drinks (prices allow you to taste without hitting your wallet), then expensive wine from France and Italy is not drunk every day, and, as a rule, on a special occasion.

We will use the rating of the authoritative magazine Wine Spectator, in which experts-sommeliers have chosen the best out of thousands of exquisite wines. Let's clarify right away that this top is headed by red and white dry wines. But since our review is about semi-sweet, we will only publish them.

The names of the best elite French, Italian, German and Portuguese semi-sweet wines in the world:

1. "Gewurztraminer" Cuvee des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre "AOC" (4500 rubles). Semi-sweet, balanced wine with a deep and rich taste. France.
2. "Chateau Lamothe Guignard, Sauternes AOC 2-me Grand Cru Classe" (4300 rubles). The refined aroma of Semillon, Muscadelle and Blanc grapes is dominated by the purest tones of apricots, honey and caramel.
3. "Trabucchi Recioto della Valpolicella DOC Terre del Cereolo" (5500 rubles). The wine acquired its dark ruby ​​color thanks to three grape varieties grown in Veneto, Italy.
4. "Noval 20 Year Old Tawny Port" (7200 rubles). Aged wine with a rich and fresh taste is recommended to be served slightly chilled.
5. "Chateau Cantegril, Sauternes AOC" (3400 rubles). This French white wine tastes well both young and aged.
6. Albert Boxler, Gewurztraminer, Alsace AOC (3000 rubles). Sweet white wine from France, made from Gewürztraminer grapes.
7. "Chateau Pajzos, Aszu 6 Puttonyos". (6500 rubles). Wine from the Tokaj region in Hungary.
8. Domaine Marcel Deiss Burg AOC Alsace (5400 rubles) White semi-sweet wine of luxurious golden color.
9. "Warre's Warrior Porto DOC" (1700 rubles). A sweet red wine from the oldest wine brand in the world, Warrior.
10. "Dr. Loosen, “Dr. L "Riesling Sweet" (1200 rubles). Young, sweet and fresh wine is in perfect harmony with fruit salads and Asian dishes.

Despite the large army of fans of good semi-sweet wines, the market proves that wealthy people, for the most part, prefer dry wines.

Why are good semi-sweet wines not available to everyone?

The wine, which was produced in the main wine houses of France and, before reaching the consumer's glass, goes through a difficult path from a Western supplier to a seller in Russia and Ukraine. Due to customs barriers, excise taxes and “appetites” on both sides, the price rises significantly. Sometimes four or even five times.

Besides, expensive brands of Italian and French wines are not produced in "million copies". For example, in France, real semi-sweet wine is sold not in large supermarkets, but in specially equipped boutiques. So, having bought an expensive bottle of semi-sweet in one of the stores in your city, it is quite possible that in this way you supported the domestic producer - near St. Petersburg and Moscow there are a lot of factories that buy wine materials and make their own product from it. People who are poorly versed in elite wine are unlikely to notice the substitution. But a real gourmet will immediately distinguish "swill" from French wine.

If you set a goal and walk around several Yekaterinburg supermarkets in one evening, you can quickly catch one pattern: the presence of people with pensive eyes in the alcohol departments. Well-dressed men peering into bottles of red; girlfriends repeating memorized names; students wiping around the "tetrapaks" with some "Muscat". The likelihood that, leaving the store, they will be able to reasonably explain their choice of wine is extremely small.

Looking at the absolute majority of such buyers, the author of IMC Elena Babushkina decided to "eliminate alcoholic illiteracy" and walked through the retail chains of Yekaterinburg together with the sommelier of the Troekurov restaurant, Andrey Levin. What to focus on when choosing grape wine worth up to 300 rubles and from 300 to 600 rubles - read the resulting material.

ANDREY LEVIN, sommelier of the Troyekurov restaurant:

The direct function of wine cheaper than 600 rubles is to decorate the taste of food and joyful intoxication. Such drinks are appropriate at a home dinner, or at a major holiday where alcohol is purchased in bulk. Having made the right choice, you will enjoy, but you should not expect from it that versatility of taste that more expensive wines can give.

It is important to remember that wine for 300-600 rubles is not wine from the cellar. It is stored on counters, which, in turn, are illuminated by spotlights. These lamps are very powerful and aim directly at the wine, so never buy wine that is hot to the touch. Such wine "boils" inside the bottle, losing all its properties. Bottles of sparkling wine, for example, often explode on the shelves.

In an area such as a shopping cart, you should pay attention only to lonely bottles with external defects. If the wine does not have such, and, moreover, is displayed in orderly rows, it may be a mistake of the manufacturer, and this is a really defective batch.

An incredible, huge myth is the age of wine. I myself came to this profession with a learned mindset: the older the wine, the better it is. This is not true, or rather, not entirely true. If you see a “aged” wine worth about 600 rubles, most likely, in front of you is a bottle that has not been sold on time. At best, the drink inside is on the verge of souring (at worst, the wine is already sour). Remember: the younger the democratic wine, the fresher, the tastier it is.

Another myth is the presence of sulfur dioxide in wine. They say they can be poisoned. They say that it is from him that the head hurts in the morning. Believe me, you will first die from alcohol poisoning than get poisoned with sulfur dioxide, because the concentration of this preservative in wines is negligible.

Coming to a store with three hundred rubles, it is most correct to focus on bottles of white wine. Why - I can explain point by point. First, white wine is initially cheaper, since white grapes are less whimsical and mature faster than red ones. Secondly, white wine is easier to understand and drink. Some find it difficult to "make friends" with red wine also for the reason that it gives a 3D effect - a volumetric sensation of taste and smell. That's why it is valued higher.

Choosing wine in the range of 300-600 rubles, you can give yourself a little relaxation. As a rule, these wines already fall into the quality control zone of the producing country, have a certain category and meet a number of requirements. In Russia, such a product is already considered illiquid (expensive!), So you will not find fakes on the shelves. This price category allows you to choose white dry, white semi-sweet, and red dry. But you will not find a red semi-sweet for this money.

In general, an addiction to semi-sweet and sweet wines is what the mentality of Soviet youth, Soviet childhood dictated to us. In the Soviet past, there was no high gastronomy and interesting wines, there was no culture of drinking. The wine was a dessert - and, therefore, it simply had to be sweet. Sweet is lighter in smell, easy to drink, does not require the drinker to think about what is in his glass. This approach is already losing its relevance. You would know how glad I am!

When choosing a wine, you cannot ignore the geographical component. For example, the wine of the Old World (all of Europe - France, Italy, Spain, Germany, etc.) always costs more, because the winemaking traditions of these countries date back to the times of Ancient Rome. The Romans taught the Gauls - the French - to drink wine, the French became the trendsetters in wine fashion. Fashionable = expensive.

In turn, the wine of the New World (and this is Chile, Argentina, South Africa, South and North America, Australia and New Zealand) is more democratic in price, although it is not inferior in quality to the old world. Back in the 19th century, local artisanal producers adopted the traditions of European winemakers: then the "grape plague" raged in the Old World - the invasion of the phylloxera aphid, which killed vineyards year after year. Winemakers in despair fled with their vine (and sometimes without it at all) to other countries, crossed the Atlantic Ocean and ended up in Chile and the United States. There they met a hotter climate and the best conditions for the ripening of grapes, which to this day allows them not to overcharge. So, buying wine for 300 rubles, you should first pay attention to the wines of the New World.

Those who plan to develop their taste should also focus on New World wines. The fact is that in these countries mono-varietal wines are more often produced, while in bottles of wine from Europe, 2 or more grape varieties are often mixed. If you want to learn how to distinguish between grape varieties, I advise you to start with, for example, Chilean wines.

There is an opinion that the silicone cork indicates a low grade of wine. When buying a democratic wine, do not bother about this - this is just the manufacturer's choice. The same goes for the "mobility" of the plastic capsule that protects the cork. If she is spinning, this does not mean anything.

A win-win option when going to the store is to focus on well-known wine lines.

"Trust List" from Andrey Levin:

NEW WORLD. Chile

"Concha y Toro" (producer of Frontera, Sunrise, Terrunyo wines, a line of wines costing from 200 to 10,000 rubles);

MAPU (Chilean project of the French winemaker Baron Philippe Rothschild, a line of wines costing from 300 to 1500 rubles).

NEW WORLD. Argentina

Trivento (line costing from 280 to 1100 rubles);

TOSO (I do not distinguish it, but you can trust it. It is always fresh and very simple).

NEW WORLD. Australia

HARDY’s (wines costing 300 - 700 rubles; especially interesting is white semi-dry wine in the region of 550 rubles, which, as a result of the marketing ploy, has come to be called semi-sweet in Russia).

NEW WORLD. South Africa

With wine from South Africa, everything is complicated now. At one time, representatives of companies engaged in winemaking did not make efforts to market South African wine on the Russian market. The project managers didn't work. As a result, “tired wine” is stored on the shelves, which could not be sold. I won't recommend South African wines.

NEW WORLD. New Zealand

There are no cheap manufacturers, and all the expensive ones come in wide ranges. However, if you saw New Zealand wine for a promotion and cost about 600 rubles, you are in luck! Grab a bottle and make lemon and grapefruit wedges for a snack.

NEW WORLD. USA

There is no American wine worth up to 600 rubles on our counters - not that price category. American wines are expensive, and not because they are special, but because of the high mark-up.

OLD WORLD. Spain

Torres (one of the greatest producers, wines from 500 to 4000 rubles);

Marques de Caceres (wines from 529 to 4000 rubles).

OLD WORLD. Italy

Pasqua (wines from 435 to 1000 rubles);

Via Veneto (wines from 215 to 350 rubles. It is reasonable to focus on such varieties as Soave, Bardolino, Valpolicello, Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay).

OLDTH LIGHT. France

I have not come across cheap French rulers that should be trusted. At your own peril and risk, you can take, who knows who and where, the wine made for 300 rubles, but with a French name that necessarily contains the word "Cuvée" or "Chateau". But the best solution is to take wine from another country.

OLD WORLD. Germany

Truly in the price category up to 600 rubles, you can only trust the wine “Milk of the beloved woman” - Liebfraumilch. This wine is produced in the Rheinhessen region from Riesling and Müller Thurgau grapes. And be careful: any wine that desperately resembles the "Milk of the Beloved Woman" (whether by label or by the color of the bottle), it is wiser to ignore it. But you need to get used to the elongated shape of the bottle, which is called the "Alsatian Flute" - this is the corporate identity of German winemakers.

DOMESTIC WINES

Speaking about democratic wines with a price of up to 600 rubles, one cannot but say a separate word for patriots. Perhaps they should be glad, because Russian winemakers have a second wind. French specialists are hired, vineyards are being revived. During our shopping trip in the winery of the Magnum liquor store, we came across two interesting examples: the wine of the producer Chateau le Grand Vostock, the Golubok variety (one of the few decent grape varieties), as well as a series of quiet wines from the winery "Chateau Taman" (line costing from 300 to 700 rubles). They still lack nobility: for example, the wine smells of foliage not from a fairy forest, but from the Central Park of Culture and Leisure. But let's believe that everything is ahead.

SUMMARY

If you have a maximum of 600 rubles in your pocket, your wine diagnosis is a cold bottle of young wine, preferably dry, preferably from Chile, Argentina, Australia, Italy, Spain or Germany. As an experiment, you can pay attention to the wine of France or New Zealand, provided that it is sold for a promotion and costs around 600 rubles.

Surely many of you wandered into the wine department, more than once wondered how to choose a delicious inexpensive wine. Anticipating a romantic evening with a bottle of wine with a loved one or alone with yourself under or, I really do not want to be mistaken. That is why we have prepared for you a list with detailed descriptions, which includes wines that are really tasty and inexpensive, less than 1000 rubles. And if you bought more than one bottle of wine, then read our article about

Delicious inexpensive wine:

1. Lykhny- semi-sweet red Abkhaz wine, named after the ancient capital of the Abkhaz rulers. Perhaps the best of all Abkhaz wines that I have been able to taste. You can feel the sweet taste of Isabella grapes, very soft, and warm wine, with a strength of about 10 degrees.
Price: about 400 rubles.

2. Krstac- Montenegrin dry white wine. The grape variety from which this wine is made grows only in one place in the world, in a vineyard near Podgorica. The strength of this wine is 12.5 degrees.
Price: about 600 rubles.

3.Vranac- another Montenegrin wine, dry red, has a unique taste of fruit, another of my favorite wines, which I discovered in Chereogoria, is included in the top hundred of the best wines in Europe. Fortress 12 degrees.
Price: about 600 rubles.

4. Syrah George Deboeuf Is an excellent dry rose wine from France. Made from a grape variety called Syrah. The wine is very light with a soft fruity taste and delicate aroma of strawberry and pear.
Price: about 650 rubles.

5. San valero- dry red Spanish wine. Made from two grape varieties: Tempranillo and Garnacha. Wine of dark burgundy noble color.
Price: about 250 p.

6. Beringer Zinfandel Rose- pink semi-sweet wine, bright salmon color, with a pleasant berry taste. It is created from Zinfandel grapes grown in the Napa Valley in the oldest winery "Beringer Winery", which received the status of a historical monument in the US National Register.
Price: about 1000 r.

7. Wine Zonin Chianti- dry red Italian red wine with pomegranate reflections. The aroma is delicate, with hints of cherries, wild berries, violets and spices.
Price: about 800 p.

The controversy about the benefits and dangers of alcoholic beverages does not subside. But even the most ardent opponents of alcohol will not refuse a glass of good wine. Wine - means truth, revelation, also called the moisture of life. To know the depth of the drink, to get pleasure from drinking, you need to know how to choose a good wine.

Which wine is better to choose

The diverse classification of the drink can be divided into: taste, aroma, presence of alcohol. Alcohol content is distinguished:

1. Fortified (sherry, port, Cahors) - have a high rate from 16% to 21%.
2. Sparkling (champagne) - they contain up to 14% alcohol, contain carbon dioxide.
3. Canteen, quiet non-sparkling (Bordeaux, Cabernet, Chardonnay) - the alcoholic component is also up to 14%.
4. Flavored (vermouth) - up to 20%.

By color, wines are divided into:

• Reds, their palette is extensive, from rich garnet to terracotta brown (aged varieties), from ruby ​​to purple (young).
• Pink, softer colors from pastel, light ruby ​​to the entire spectrum of pink.
• White varieties have straw, greenish tones (young dry varieties), amber (fortified, dessert).

Almost all brands change their color over time, fortified and dessert wines acquire amber colors, dry wines darken. When eating food, they determine which wines are best suited for what by its color and content. It is better to use canteens as a flavoring addition to the table, and dessert ones for finishing dishes. Restaurateurs recommend taking into account that the more refined the drink, the simpler the dish, and vice versa.

Read also: good Abkhaz wine

Examples of successful menu combinations:

• Sparkling, sparkling wines can practically be drunk with any product, if it is not borscht or herring with onions. It is consumed chilled (up to 8 ° C) in narrow glasses.
• Red varieties are served with meat dishes, fried and spicy, with any kind of cheese, various fruits, they go well with pasta, pizza, etc. Recently, restaurants have been offering popular flavor variations for fish products: salmon, trout, sushi. Room temperature (18 ° C) is optimal for them, served in wide glasses.
• Dry white brands "love" the first dishes (soups, stews, mashed potatoes), all kinds of salads with mayonnaise, but without vinegar. Low-fat sausages and veal, poultry, of course, fish are classics of the genre. Drink chilled (up to 12 ° C).
• Pink - considered universal, served with hot dishes, seafood, desserts (temperature up to 18 ° C). For them and dry, dishes are used on a high leg, with narrow walls.
• Sweet (dessert) varieties - they are heavier, stronger, they are drunk with pastries or jelly (up to 16 ° C) from small charms on a low leg.

Read also:

How to choose a good wine in a store by label - 10 rules

You don't have to be a sommelier to learn how to buy a decent drink, and not a drink, after which a terrible aftertaste remains, and in the morning at least - dizziness, at most - an upset of the body.

Ten rules for choosing good wine in the store will help you avoid this:

1. Make a clear distinction between sweet and dry varieties. For the production of popular semi-sweet drinks, wine materials of the lowest quality are used. Many preservatives and chemical constituents are added to them. Abroad, this kind does not exist at all.
2. Manufacturer information. The main thing is the presence of the name, information about the manufacturer, if they are not there, it is better to immediately return the bottle to the shelf. On the front side of the correct drinks, you can always read the brand name in large print.
3. The region of production also serves as a visiting card. The absence of such, speaks of the low quality of the product.
4. Grape sort. Only very expensive wines, which cannot be bought at a regular retail outlet, are made from one grape variety. First-class drinks of inexpensive and average cost are produced by the blending method, i.e. mixing several varieties of berries. If 100% of one name is indicated on the label, there is no doubt about a fake.
5. Harvest time. The grape harvest year must be indicated in the labeling of high-quality alcohol. Such information cannot be found on a diluted concentrate, a chemical analogue.
6. Time and place of exposure. The barrel is considered an ideal storage place; only high-quality brands are stored in them. Divided "by age":

• vintage, made from solid berries, with languor for 3-7 years, from 6 years old is already considered a collection species;
• ordinary go on sale with aging from 4 months to 1 year.

1. Description of the merits, originality that add a positive image to the brand.
2. Product cost. The rule cannot be attributed to wine that one can pay not for quality, but for a brand. An inexpensive drink cannot be natural and tasty, too much work has been invested in it.
3. Package. Cardboard packaging is a friend of cheap chemical concentrate. If you pour a noble drink into it, it will surely lose its dignity. After all, only the glass of the bottle or the wood of the barrel are able to preserve the richness of taste.
4. Original containers, for example, ceramic or decorative, have a negative impact on the storage of wine, or hide a counterfeit.

The country of manufacture

Russia

Grape vines in Russia are grown in Krasnodar, Stavropol Territories, regions of the Caucasus, Crimea, Volgograd, Saratov regions. But most of the products in stores are from imported materials, they are in demand. Of course, competition in the world market is high, but now reasonable prospects are predicted for Russian winemaking. Drinks are made from classic varieties of berries, they have a natural, floral taste.

Read also:

The palm is held by the brands:

• Isabella, Aligote;
• "Pinot black";
• Cabernet Sauvignon.

Manufacturers are known:

• "Caucasus";
• "Russian vine";
• Fanagoria;
• Rostov plant, Tsimlyansk plant (among sparkling wine), etc.

Ukraine

The climate of Ukraine makes it possible to develop this industry in almost most of the territory, but still the vine bears fruit where there are mild winters, long hot summers. These are Southern Bessarabia, Transcarpathia, Southern regions. The best brands, taste and aroma qualities, which are quite at a decent level:

• "Shabo";
• Agrofirm "Belozersky";
• French Boulevard (specializing in sparkling species).

Soil and climatic factors make it possible to obtain berries with balanced acidity and sweetness. Nevertheless, imports prevail on the Ukrainian market.

Georgia

There are about 4 thousand grape varieties in the world, over 500 grow in Georgia. During Soviet times, it supplied 80% of all vintage wines of the republics. Now the demand for them is not decreasing, the drink is impeccable. Perhaps this is due to the special Kakhetian wine production technology.

Cone-shaped huge jugs, qvevri, are buried in the ground, then the berries are kept at a temperature of 14 ° C, the juice is squeezed out with your feet. There is also mechanical dressing, mass production, but as a result of this method, complete, extractive characteristics with mild astringency are obtained. A distinctive feature of Georgian brands is a long and pleasant aftertaste, harmonious aromas. The best varieties:

• "Khvanchkara";
• "Rkatsiteli", etc.

Moldavia

The Moldovan alcohol is credited with sophistication, lightness of taste. Drinks from the Codrovy, Central regions of the republic are saturated with shades of wildflowers, and the aromas of violets can be traced in them. In this country, wine is preferred to make not only during the fermentation of grape berries, but also apple juice.

Collectible bottles can have a kind of acid, to reduce its level, you need to open the container in advance and let the wine "breathe". Not inferior in characteristics to foreign products, it has a lower cost. Among the popular ones:

• "Moldavskoe";
• Aligote "Oneshta";
• "Dnieper White";
• "Romanesti";
• Cabernet "Chumay";
• "Bouquet of Moldova" (flavored vermouth, analogous to Italian).

France

The French, like Moldovans, have been growing vines since ancient times and drinking alcohol from an early age. In this country, the quality of the products produced is controlled on a regional basis, so the grape varieties are not indicated on the labels of French drinks. On its territory, the largest vineyard in the world of an upscale variety called Bordeaux is laid out. 80% are red wines.

Insanely expensive, produced in limited Bordeaux "Petrus", is attributed to one of their noble red drinks. It comes from the Polerole region. The southeast side is famous for its dry white "Entre de Mer", with a rich aroma of a fruity bouquet, in perfect harmony with the gifts of the sea. In the regions of Medoc, Soner, Prav, the legendary brands of the premier cru are produced:

• Chateau Latour;
• Chateau Lafite-Rothschild;
• Mouton-Rothschild;
• "O-Brion";
• "Chateau Margot".

Italy

Foodies will agree that the definition of "good" does not apply to French and Italian wines. They are ideal, even those of average or democratic value. A distinctive feature is the balance of flavor, color, aroma and aftertaste.

The climatic conditions of the Apennine Peninsula contribute to the development of culture. Under the Italian sun, warm rain, the berries are filled with full-fledged juice, which ferments into a divine drink. Although it is not so easy for Italians to break into the world market because of the competition with their neighbors. The production has a stepwise classification:

1. elite;
2. DOC category (by region, sugar and alcohol capacity);
3. IGT (poorer palatability);
4. canteens, from prefabricated varieties.

The division of alcohol into red Rosso and white Bianco came from there. And all these names have long been associated with something especially pleasant, solemn:

• Lambrusco;
• Dolcetto;
• Malvasia Nera;
• Amarone;
• Lagrain and many others.

If the wine is inexpensive, it does not mean at all that it is tasteless. Let's try to figure out how to choose the right delicious wine in an affordable price range. (Of course, we are not talking about "chatters" for 100 rubles.)

For many, buying wine in a restaurant becomes a whole ordeal. Needless to say about the independent choice of wine in the store, where several racks of all kinds of bottles of different price categories are presented to the eye. The matter is even more complicated if this wine is intended for important guests or celebrations of events. The chooser feels responsible for the taste and quality of what is poured into the bottle.

Why do we feel depressed and think that everyone will judge us for choosing, especially if we buy inexpensive wine? You might say, "Well, because wine producers know the quality of their product and won't sell anything really worth cheap."

But wine can get to store shelves in different ways! Nobody is safe from buying fakes. Yes, one must be careful when choosing a wine, but everyone can make this right choice. By the way, one of the points: you should buy wine without excessive stress and suspicion. This is not an exam, much depends on the case.

How to choose and buy wine

How to choose a wine? Scrolling through the multi-page wine list in a restaurant or glancing at the rows of bottles in the store can lead to despair. And if the budget is limited to all this, you can give up, pick the first bottle you come across with a cute animal on the label and run away.

But in fact, armed with some knowledge, you can buy or order wine like a pro!

First, you must decide what "cheap and cheerful" means to you. The range will be taken here from 300 to 500 rubles.

Secondly, we must admit that the excise stamp is not a confirmation of the taste of wine. Like a plastic stopper or a screw cap - not a sign of bad wine. It's just that wine is a kind of tradition, the cork plug is part of the tradition. But some manufacturers are deviating from it. For example, some winemakers in New Zealand and Australia were the first to use metal screw caps and for good reason: they reliably protect wine. Such caps can be found on bottles for both 300 rubles and 1200 rubles.

Basic Rules

Wines of some countries, wine-making regions, types and varieties of grapes are sold cheaper than their counterparts. For example, Vinho Verde (Verde) from Portugal - a fine white wine with a tart fruity taste and small bubbles. It is ideal for summer picnics and quiet family evenings on the summer cottage veranda. And you can buy it even for less than 300 rubles.

Italy also produces several good wines ranging from 300 to 500 rubles. Take at least Primitivo, Sangiovese and Merlot.

Avoid wines that require a long "maturation": for example, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Barolo or Amarone... These wines shouldn't be cheap. If they are inexpensive, then it is a fake (or bad wine) or not yet ready to drink.

Choose from wines that taste good when fresh. These include Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, majority Rieslings and some others.

How to buy wine in a restaurant

Nowadays, few restaurants offer homemade wine. Most often, wine lists contain a list of bottled wine. If you often go to a certain restaurant and there is a large assortment of wines, then order a new name each time. This is a great way to learn to define likes and dislikes. Memorize the taste of the wine, how it goes with various dishes, how it smells, liked / disliked.

Make your list of preferences and ask the waiter for advice / recommend something suitable. Some restaurants (at least abroad) even practice pre-tasting.

Dispelling the wine myth

Have you heard the rule: red wine with meat and white wine with fish and poultry? This rule was observed when French wines were served for lunch or dinner. Now it no longer works - our tastes and food have changed so much. Asian, Indian, Mediterranean currents have penetrated into our cuisine, which is changing the "rules" for wines. What should be guided by when buying wine for this or that main dish?

Here's a simple rule of thumb: Asian foods often pair well with invigorating, tart white wines... These good quality wines can be bought at a reasonable price. Red wines with a pronounced, rich taste are suitable for fatty red meat. You can choose red wine from those produced in Australia, Spain, Portugal, Italy - they are suitable both in quality and in terms of money.

Even good champagne can be readily available. This issue is especially relevant on the eve of the upcoming New Year. Do you want to see sparkling wine on the festive table, the purchase of which will not hit your pocket? Then look for Cremant from France, Asti (Asti) and Prosecco from Italy and Cava from Spain. Bottles of this wine can be found for 500 rubles (600-700 - more likely).

Good luck with your choice!

It is difficult to choose a worthy wine without understanding anything about it. Some people use the rule “the more expensive the better”. But even at a high price, the drink can be of poor quality. If you are just going to experience the culture of wine, then start with inexpensive products. Here are some tips to help you find a good drink.
Wine culture did not exist in the USSR. The drink was considered a dessert, and therefore was sweet. And it differed only in color. Red wine or white is the Soviet people's dilemma. It tasted the same.
But as time passed, the assortment of wines expanded, more and more people became interested in what is in their glass. And a stereotype arose: only an expensive drink can be tasty and aromatic. Although today even budget brands are pretty decent. Wine for daily consumption shouldn't be expensive at all. For a casual dinner, you can take a bottle at a modest price. But here it is important to choose the right wine. After all, a cheap drink can be not only tasteless, but also unhealthy. And then you're lucky if you wake up in the morning with just a headache. Worse if you get severely poisoned. But one should not think that all wine at an affordable price is of poor quality. The budget options are full of bottles of great drink. It remains to learn how to find them.

1. Buy within 300-600 rubles.
2. Take a bottle with a shadow on it.
3. Do not buy on sales. Huge discounts are attractive, but don't flatter yourself. Miser pays twice. Take a closer look at the bottles, if they have an external defect (the label has suffered, there is dirt or splashes on the bottle), then the price has been reduced because of this. You can take this. If the packaging has no flaws, then you should be wary. The product itself must have been spoiled.

4. Choose young wine.
5. Focus on white wine.
6. Look at geography. European drinks will cost more because France, Spain, Italy, Greece, etc. they were engaged in winemaking in antiquity and succeeded in this area. Products of the New World (Chile, Argentina, America) have more affordable prices. In these countries, vineyards appeared relatively recently, which allows not to overestimate the cost of drinks until now. Both wines will be tasty, but if you want to save even more, then you should give preference to drinks from the New World.

7. Do not focus on the cork.
8. Don't look at the grape variety.
9. Forget sweets.

10. Understand the place of manufacture. Pay attention to where the wine is not only produced, but also bottled. It is better to choose the one that did without intermediaries. When a manufacturer is independently responsible for the quality of a product, it is not profitable for him to lower the bar and ruin his reputation. And middlemen sin by diluting the wine in order to reduce costs.
As you understand, when choosing a wine, you need to carefully study its label. To please yourself and your loved ones with an inexpensive and tasty drink, buy a young (1-2 years old) product made and packaged in one place, preferably brought from the New World, and let it be a cold bottle of dry white wine.
uznay-kak.ru
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Wine: 9 myths and facts you should know about

The deeper the hole at the bottom of the bottle, the better: MYTH
Some winemakers say that this shape is necessary so that most of the sediment remains at the bottom. This indentation in the bottle is usually made for more convenient transportation and storage of wine. Thus, when choosing a wine, you should not attach special importance to the notch at the bottom of the bottle, let alone its size.

Russian women prefer wine, and men prefer strong drinks: TRUE
According to the statistics of wine restaurants, wine consumption in Russia has grown 10-15 times over the past 20 years. And this is thanks to the women. Men still prefer stronger drinks. There is also an opinion that a woman can smell more scents. For example, she can smell musky, but a man cannot. This can be explained by hormones that increase in different phases of women's cycles.

Fish - white wine: MYTH
A common myth about combining fish with only white wine. Sommeliers do not pay attention to such cliches. Moreover, it is often recommended to match the fish with red wines from Mediterranean countries such as Italy or Spain. Red wine is served with tuna and more fatty fish: carp, trout and salmon. In addition, if red wine was used in the sauce for the dish, then red wine should also be served.

Red wine is good for women: TRUTH
Many studies show that the flavonoids in wine stimulate collagen production. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants. They reduce the risk of heart disease and varicose veins. Dry wine has an analgesic effect during menstruation. It dilates blood vessels and relieves spasms. Also, wine stimulates the production of the male hormone testosterone, which helps to level the hormonal background.

Wine dehydrates the body: MYTH
Dehydration is a big fear for wine lovers. It is believed that alcoholic beverages dehydrate our body. And this is really so, if you do not know the measure. Sommeliers recommend those who are afraid to dehydrate the body with wine, wash it down with still water. The amount of water should be the same as the amount of wine. And if you drink the daily norm of water (1.5-2 liters), then dehydration does not threaten at all.

Red wine is more popular than white: TRUE
According to statistics, more than 65% of respondents will prefer red wine to white. It is difficult to say what caused the balance of the balance in favor of red. Many people love the richness of red wine, not the sour notes of white. Someone thinks white is not the main drink. It has been observed that white wines are more popular in countries with warmer climates, as white wine is considered more summer.

Wine for mulled wine needs to be boiled: MYTH
Mulled wine is a favorite winter drink based on red wine. This is a hot wine, but you cannot boil it. So that the wine does not lose its properties, it must be heated up to a maximum of 70 degrees. When boiled, most of the alcohol will evaporate and it will lose its taste. You need to boil the base of the drink: water, spices and other ingredients.

Red wine is healthier than white: TRUE
The chemical composition of red wine is much higher than white. Red wine contains large amounts of antioxidants - substances that slow down the aging process of the body, lower cholesterol levels and have a beneficial effect on. A glass of red wine can saturate a person with a rare vitamin R. Vitamin P ensures the assimilation of ascorbic acid and has a good effect on metabolism.

Wine contains many sulfites that cause headaches: MYTH
Many people attribute the headache after wine to the presence of an allergy to sulfites, but this is not true. A very low percentage have these types of allergies. As a rule, these are people with asthma. Wine contains a small amount of sulfites. In addition, dried fruits contain much more sulfites than wine.

Wine culture did not exist in the USSR. The drink was considered a dessert, and therefore was sweet. And he differed only in color. Red wine or white is the Soviet people's dilemma. It tasted the same.

But as time passed, the assortment of wines expanded, more and more people became interested in what is in their glass. And a stereotype arose: only an expensive drink can be tasty and aromatic. Although today even budget brands are pretty decent.

Wine for daily consumption shouldn't be expensive at all. For a casual dinner, you can take a bottle at a modest price. But here it is important to choose the right wine. After all, a cheap drink can be not only tasteless, but also unhealthy. And then you will be lucky if you wake up in the morning with just a headache. Worse if you get severely poisoned. But one should not think that all wine at an affordable price is of poor quality. The budget options are full of bottles of great drink. It remains to learn how to find them.

1. Buy within 300-600 rubles. Wine cheaper than 300, unfortunately, cannot be attributed to quality products. But more expensive drinks will be appropriate at a home dinner or at a friendly party. You will enjoy them, but don't expect more. The versatility of taste, alas, you will not be able to feel.

2. Take the bottle that is shaded. Low-cost alcohol is not stored in wine cellars; it is located on the shelves in the sales area. And often the bottles "tan" right under the powerful lamps of the store. Therefore, make sure the packaging is cold before purchasing. If it is hot, then the product “boils” inside, losing all its taste and properties. Do not be too lazy to climb into the depths of the stand and take a bottle that does not fall on the spotlight.

3. Do not buy on sales. Huge discounts are attractive, but don't flatter yourself. Miser pays twice. Take a closer look at the bottles, if they have an external defect (the label has suffered, there is dirt or splashes on the bottle), then the price has been reduced because of this. You can take this.

If the packaging has no flaws, then you should be wary. The product itself must have been spoiled.

4. Choose young wine. The “older is better” rule doesn't work with budget drinks. If you see a "mature" wine worth up to 600 rubles, then it is most likely sour. It's just that this bottle or batch was not sold on time. Of course, you will not get poisoned with such a product, but you will clearly not like the taste. Therefore, give preference to young wine.

5 .Focus on white wine. The technology for making such a drink is simpler. And the cost is lower. The chances of choosing an inexpensive good wine among whites are higher than among red varieties.

6. Look at geography. European drinks will cost more because France, Spain, Italy, Greece, etc. they were engaged in winemaking in antiquity and succeeded in this area. Products of the New World (Chile, Argentina, America) have more affordable prices. In these countries, vineyards appeared relatively recently, which allows not to overstate the cost of drinks until now. Both wines will be tasty, but if you want to save even more, then you should give preference to drinks from the New World.

7. Do not focus on the cork. There is an opinion that quality wine can only have natural cork. However, even high-end products these days are found with a silicone or screw-on capsule. This is just a manufacturer's choice.

8. Don't look at the grape variety. The taste of the drink depends more on the manufacturing technology: harvest date, fermentation temperature, sugar level. Do not be guided by the variety, study other factors. Good inexpensive wine - young: last year or 2 years ago. Please note that the label must say "natural wine". If this is not the case, then the drink is synthetic.

9. Forget sweets. You may be surprised to find that semi-sweet or sweet wine is not consumed anywhere in the world. There are, of course, dessert varieties, but they are not in demand. Only dry wines have a rich and rich taste.

10. Understand the place of manufacture. Pay attention to where the wine is not only produced, but also bottled. It is better to choose the one that did without intermediaries. When a manufacturer is independently responsible for the quality of a product, it is not profitable for him to lower the bar and ruin his reputation. But middlemen sin by diluting the wine in order to reduce costs.

As you understand, when choosing a wine, you need to carefully study its label. To please yourself and your loved ones with an inexpensive and tasty drink, buy a young (1-2 years old) product made and packaged in one place, preferably brought from the New World, and let it be a cold bottle of dry white wine.

The notorious owner of the udaff.com website. The content is published unchanged.

So, by popular demand, I am making a small review of dry wines in the category up to 500 rubles, which you can really drink, and most of which I myself have repeatedly tried. Let's start unconventionally - with red, then pink, then white. I don't know why, I just felt like it. I will present you 15 wine samples.
ATTENTION! Where there is an inscription “my choice” it means that I not only drank this wine and liked it, but I buy it again and again.

1. Michelle Torino Shiraz 2010 | Michel Torino Coleccion Shiraz 2010

Argentina
Estimated price: 357 RUR | 7.5 EUR | 80 UAH

There will be a lot of wines from Michelle Torino today, as Michel Torino is the producer who never has bad wines. And even his budget wines are quite drinkable. A light wine that fits perfectly with something meaty, and which can be drunk a lot and unnoticed. With a lamb, my friend and I sat down 3 bottles in passing.

2. Michel Torino Don David Malbec 2008 and Don David Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 | Michel Torino Don David Malbek 2008 | Don David Cabernet-Sauvignon 2008

Argentina

Now 2008 is still on sale, but as it ends, it is replaced on the shelf by 2009. The wine was aged for 1 year in oak. If we talk about malbec - I tried it, and I really liked it - the wine is dense and rich. As for Cabernet Sauvignon, this sample is the absolute leader among Cabernet Sauvignons in terms of price / quality ratio.

3. Rapido Red Sangiovese 2009 | Rapido Red Sangiovese 2009

Italy
Estimated price: 407 RUR | 10 EUR | 100 UAH

Dense, but not very intense. Light bitterness in the aftertaste. In general, I really love wines from Italy, and I am not indifferent to them.

4. Rocca Alata Valpolicella Superior 2009 (producer: Cantina di Soave) | Rocca Alita Valpolicella Superiore 2009

Italy
Estimated price: 395 RUR | 10 EUR | 100 UAH

This wine was a real discovery for me. Getting such a beautiful Valpolicella for that kind of money is just a gift. Today, by the way, after the “photo session” in the store, I bought a few bottles home. One of them was this wine.
The wine is lightweight, but not watery. Quite high acidity, but this acidity is correct. In aromatics: underbrush, dried cherries. My choice!

5. Undurraga Sybaris Pinot Noir 2010 and Sybaris Carmenere 2008 | Undurraga Sibaris Pinot Noir 2010 | Sibaris Carmenere 2008

Chile
Estimated price: 535 RUR | 13 EUR | 130 UAH

Pinot noir is very similar to classic French pinot noir at this price point.
This carminer was voted the best carminer in Chile in this price range. Carminer - my choice!

This is something out of the realm of fantasy, isn't it? But every buyer wants to find it. To make it good and for the wallet.

Well, let's try to figure it out: is it myth or reality, good inexpensive wine

For starters, one piece of advice: if you need wine for a party, then it is better to choose light, neutral wines, not to chase unusual or rich bouquet. The simpler the better. If you are completely in doubt, then you can focus on the wine that is served by the glass in restaurants. There are usually just such wines. Well, you also know that similar wines in the store will cost an order of magnitude cheaper.

There are wines that rarely fail.

Dry white

Soave

Soave is not a grape variety, not a wine name, but the name of the region in which the wine is produced.

Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is perhaps the most popular grape variety for excellent white wines. Wines are usually light, fresh, so to speak, drinkable, which is probably why many people like them so much.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is an international grape variety that has taken root virtually everywhere, and the wines come from it, so to speak, understandable. Not difficult, slightly heavier than Pinot Grigio, but just as drinkable. The best wines are from Chardonnay in the countries of the New World - South Africa, Chile, USA, New Zealand and so on.

Be careful with Russian wines. If we talk about white wines, then often we have them too acidic: either a mistake of winemakers, or the area is so “let down”. No, we produce a lot of decent drinks, but here it is difficult to focus on the variety or place of production: you have to try. But the price, just, will be more than affordable.

Decent semi-sweet / semi-dry whites

Here, in fact, it is very difficult. Recently, for example, it has shown itself very well in semi-dry Riesling wines, but it is not so easy to find it at an affordable price. But Tokaj is a wonderful Hungarian wine - not such a rarity on our shelves. And the price is quite pleasant, and the taste. So we advise, first of all, to look for Tokay.

Semi-dry Spanish are often quite good, but here it is not difficult to miss. So everything is learned by trial and error.

Good and inexpensive dry red wines

Merlot

Merlot is good in all countries. Yes, even in Russia. This, again, is an international variety, so finding it and choosing wine at an affordable price will not be difficult.

Shiraz

Shiraz or Syrah - this variety is also grown in many countries. In many, it shows good results, it shows itself quite well in dry wines, but if you have the opportunity, then take the Australian shiraz. This, after all, is more precisely their grade, their special pride.

Malbec

This is not a frequent wine anymore. Malbec is an Argentinean variety. And advice on such wines: it is better to take young, two years old, no more: then the Argentine Malbec tends to quickly disappear after opening the bottle and loses all its power and aroma over time, acquiring not the most pleasant tones.

Semi-sweet reds

If we could, then here we would dissuade you. In our opinion, all semi-sweet wines, especially red ones, seem to be identical. Identically disgusting. Too sweetness kills all aroma and taste.

But if you are already adamant and drink only semi-sweet reds, then pay attention to the wines of South Africa - they will be a little, but more peculiar. And no one has ever complained about semi-sweet Georgian wines.

You can always buy good inexpensive wine at WineStreet store.