Wine is an extremely versatile drink for countless occasions: a romantic dinner, a celebration, a meeting with friends or even to accompany your favorite series or movie. But do you know how to choose wine?

Among so many alternatives, choosing the ideal wine to accompany a special moment can become a complicated task. With that in mind, we've listed 7 tips so you don't make the wrong choice and learn how to choose wine.

1. Choosing the right wine for every occasion

When choosing a wine, you should always take into account the occasion on which it will be offered: a family dinner, a romantic date, a party or a meeting with friends. Each case and meal calls for a different wine.

At a meeting with friends, for example, give preference to light and easy-to-drink wines. Choose grapes that have less body and lower alcohol content, such as:

• Pinot Noir;
• Pinotage;
• Garnacha.

However, remember: during your search for a light wine, don't be fooled by labels that identify themselves as “smooth wine”. Despite being similar terms, the two drinks have very different characteristics.

1. Know the classification of wines

Learning the difference in the classification of wines, such as “smooth wine” and “light wine”, can be quite difficult, especially at the beginning, with so many similar and close terms. However, differentiation is extremely important for you to actually learn how to choose wine.

Learning about the classification of wines, you are able to recognize the quality of the drink.

• Table wines: they are generally cheaper, made for immediate consumption, with meals, in quantity and without much commitment;
• Light wine: has reduced alcohol content and fermentation with the sugars of the grape itself;
• Sparkling wine: undergoes two natural fermentations and produces bubbles;
• Composite wine, or blends: composed of two or more grapes;
• Liqueur wine: high alcoholic strength, from concentrated musts.

1. Think about the meal to choose the perfect wine

Another important tip for you to learn how to choose wine is to think about the meal that will be served or prepared on the occasion.

When we talk about “harmonization” it is because, in fact, there are certain types of food that do not go well with certain grapes. Therefore, know in advance what will be served so as not to make a mistake in choosing the wine.

Light red wines, produced with the Pinot Noir grape, for example, harmonize very well with: fish, pasta, risottos with soft cheese, beef fillet and poultry.

Medium red wines, such as Carmenere and Merlot, harmonize with game meats, lamb, wild boar, dark meat fish and roast beef. While the full-bodied red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Malbec, accompany strong red meats such as sirloin steak, sirloin steak, beef and pork ribs, duck, sausages and spicy dishes.

To accompany seafood, sushi, salads and raw vegetables, light white wines are ideal. While structured white wines are perfect combinations of pork filet mignon and fatty fish.

1. grape types

Each grape gives rise to wines with very distinct characteristics: while some may please your palate, others may not. Therefore, when learning how to choose wine, it is important that you get to know each one of them, learning what you like — to even suggest them to your friends and family.

For those who are starting out, the ideal is to choose labels that originate from just one grape, to learn to distinguish their characteristics.

Later, when you learn how to choose wine, you can try the so-called blending wines — also called “blends” — which are produced with two or more types of grapes.

1. try a lot

Don't be afraid to experiment: one of the most important steps to learn how to choose wine is to taste different wines, from the most diverse nationalities and wineries.

When tasting a new wine, don't be in a hurry and don't be ashamed. Take your time. Pay attention to the flavors that appear on your palate and memorize them - and don't forget to appreciate it with your nose. More important than learning how to choose a wine, it is also having fun in the process.

1. Match the wine to the weather

An important detail to learn how to choose wine is certainly to understand how the climate can influence the choice of its label.

White and sparkling wines, for example, — in addition to being great combinations for lighter dishes — are recommended for warmer climates. Red wines, such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, combine better with cold days and more robust dishes. Therefore, give preference to choosing them mainly during the winter.

1. Think about how much you want (and can) pay for a label

A very common mistake for those who are learning how to choose wine is that expensive labels are necessarily the best. However, there are several factors that make a wine good, starting with its own taste, the occasion, the meal that will be served and, of course, the characteristics of each label.

Therefore, when choosing a wine, think about the cost-benefit that your choice can bring. After all, not always the most expensive wines will please your palate and that of your guests, while the cheaper options can also surprise you positively.

By defining an average value for your purchase, it is easier to find a wine that is within your means without having to compromise on quality. In addition, there are currently many imported labels that offer excellent value for money.

A good wine, first of all, must be pleasant to the palate. Study on the subject, get to know the flavors and aromas that most please you. Gradually, you will surely learn how to choose wine for any and all occasions.