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The First Rule of Wine DrinkingFraser NeilsonDon't listen to what all the self appointed wine buffs and wine snobs say – it's what you like that counts. It's not what Mr X, Mrs Y or Sommelier Z says but what you personally enjoy that matters when it comes to wine. Taste is individual to you and must always be treated as such. If you like really "unsophisticated” sweet German wines such as those 70s standards Liebfraumilsch or Hock (which incidentally almost put a whole generation off drinking wine) then that's great. Feel free to carry on drinking them but make sure that you take the time to carry on experimenting with other wines of a similar nature or perhaps a different style of your preferred grape. If you like a white Burgundy, such as the steely Chablis, then you may also like other wines matured in metal casks such as a Sancerre. If you enjoy a nice Sauvignon Blanc then take a look at a South African Chenin Blanc. But don't put yourself off by scaring your palate through trying completely new and perhaps a bit 'left field' choices immediately. Work up to these experiments. Try the more obvious ones first. If you go from a nice oaky Australian Chardonnay to a Gewurtztraminer right away you might never appreciate the subtle pleasures of the German speciality, which is a bit of an acquired taste for most people though it can be dynamite paired with the right foods. And when it comes to teaming wine with food then the same rules apply. If you like your oysters with a full-bodied claret rather than a dry white or a champagne, then that is great too. White wine with fish dishes is the accepted combination worldwide but now many people are realising the delights of eating a 'meaty fish' such as tuna with a light red wine. However do bear one thing in mind : the 'rules' have evolved over time and reflect the preferences of millions of palates over many generations of fine dining. Like the classics of fiction, the classic combinations of food and drink are exactly that for a reason – they have proven to be superior over time. So by all means experiment but don't ignore the tried, tested and recommended combinations as they have stood the test of time very well indeed. As with everything in life, the only way to learn is to test.So you'll have to move out of your comfort zone and risk the odd bad choice in order to move up to the next level of wine enjoyment. Yes you may love Californian Pinot Noir but it's important that you stop buying it every week simply because you know that you like it and that it's a safe choice. You need to branch out, as this is the only way you will find something even better than your current favourite. And believe me, I'm sure it exists among the many thousands of wines available worldwide. The best way of branching out is to start buying mixed cases of wine, typically a dozen bottles of red and white wines and simply try each one out. And it's particularly useful to make some tasting notes as you open each one so that you can keep a note of exactly what it was, where it was from and which variety of grape it was and so on. And don't forget to note precisely why you liked or disliked it. Was it the citrus fruit flavours on the tongue, or was it the creamy vanilla oakiness that really made it for you? Did the light fresh aroma contribute to the enjoyment? Get it down on paper before you open the next bottle, as tomorrow your recollection might be a little hazy! So you must experiment a bit, but don't go for a complete extreme to what you normally drink right away. Go for similar varieties at first and you are less likely to put yourself off progressing and expanding your taste in wine. And remember, the only one who can tell you what wines you like best is you yourself so, whatever the combination, be sure to enjoy it. About the Author Fraser Neilson is webmaster at http://www.FairWine.com and a graduate of the Wines and Spirits Education Trust. You can find some great wine resources and special offers to help improve your enjoyment over at http://www.FairWine.com/resources.html.
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