Don't let a wine label intimidate you. Now we will explain how to choose a wine, so that when you enter a liquor store or walk down the wine aisle in the supermarket, you don't feel stressed with so many options. Among the names of wines, types of grapes, and of course, prices, it can be difficult to make a decision. But don't worry, you don't need to be an experienced sommelier to pick a bottle. Here’s how you can choose a good wine:

Identify the main types of wine. The first thing you need to know is that there are four types of wine: red, white, rosé, and sparkling. Within these categories, there are further classifications depending on the level of sugar, tannins, or age of the wine. If you are not very familiar with wine varieties, the factor you might be most interested in is the sugar level it contains. To know how sweet a wine is, look at the label: dry, semi-dry, off-dry, semi-sweet, and sweet.

Consider the purpose of the bottle. Obviously, it is not the same to buy a wine for cooking a dish as it is for toasting. Cooking wines are usually much cheaper and do not require much complexity in body or flavor. For mixing or preparing drinks like clericot, you also don’t need a very sophisticated bottle. A Cabernet is more than enough. But if you are thinking of buying a bottle for a special event, it’s worth investing in a grand reserve (aged) wine or a sparkling wine.

Take into account the food of the gathering. The simplest way to pair food with wine
is through flavor similarities. For example, acidic dishes go better with wines that have acidic notes, while sweet dishes or preparations (for example, a chocolate cake filled with custard) are complemented with sweet wines. Regarding the main ingredients of the food, you can follow the age-old rule: red meats are served with red wine, and white meats with white wine.

Remember that price is just a guideline. A cheap wine is not necessarily bad, and an expensive wine is not a guarantee that it will be the best choice for your meal. Generally, bottles from Chile or Argentina tend to be among the most economical, while those from Europe (especially France or Italy) have higher prices. Don't let the price of the bottle lead you, and feel encouraged to try new options. Remember that there are Mexican wines from the Valle de Guadalupe (Baja California) and Valle de Parras (Coahuila) of very good quality that are likely within your budget.

Let your tastes guide you. Don't worry if you can't distinguish the aftertaste when tasting a wine. The important thing is that you enjoy each glass. To help you when choosing the wine that best suits your tastes, you can consider
the following:

White wines
Chardonnay: fruity but dry.
Riesling: very sweet, with intense fruity flavor. Lighter than Chardonnay.
Sauvignon blanc: dry and acidic with both herbal and fruity flavors.

Red wines
Cabernet Sauvignon: full-bodied wine with herbal notes.
Merlot: fruity, very smooth, with fewer tannins than Cabernet.
Pinot noir: delicate and fresh, with fruity aromas.

Follow these steps to choose the bottle and enjoy your wine. Cheers!