The main styles and what they taste like
Red wines range from light and fruity (Pinot Noir, Gamay) to medium-bodied (Merlot, Sangiovese) to full-bodied and tannic (Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz). White wines range from crisp and mineral (Chablis, Pinot Grigio) to aromatic (Riesling, Gewurztraminer) to rich and oaky (Chardonnay). Rosé is almost always dry in quality examples.
How to read a wine label
The country and region matter more than the grape variety for most traditional wine regions. 'Burgundy' is Pinot Noir; 'Chablis' is Chardonnay; 'Barolo' is Nebbiolo. New World wines (Australia, New Zealand, USA) typically name the grape variety directly, which is more beginner-friendly. The vintage year matters more for expensive wines than everyday ones.
What actually matters when buying wine
Restaurant markup on wine is typically 3–4 times retail. The sweet spot: the second-cheapest wine on the list (sommeliers know this and stock it well). For home entertaining, £10–15 bottles from independent wine merchants produce significantly better results than the same price at supermarkets. Use our free wine tasting notes sheet to build a record of what you enjoy.
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