A Novice Wine Lover's Guide - Vinebox FTW
My blog’s title is Rosé, Rocks & Retail Therapy, and I’ve yet to post about wine….wtf Nicole?? Let me tell you, that has not stopped me from consuming massive amounts of Rosé at all times. I’m no sommelier, so I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a genius when it comes to picking out wine. Despite not being formally educated about the characteristics, I still know what I like and I’ve learned enough to pick out a glass of wine on a menu that I won’t hate. How did I figure out how to do that? Keep reading and you’ll find out!
How do you Pick Out a Glass of Wine on a Menu?
I do not want to be that human that asks to try 10 wines before picking out my choice. Some people are cool with this concept, I feel uncomfortable doing so. Therefore, my main go-to is looking at regions. I’ve tried enough wine to figure out which regions my taste buds prefer. I’ve found that if I can pinpoint a region on a menu or a type of wine that only comes from that specific region, I’m in the clear.
For example:
Reds: Italian wines, specifically Sangiovese (or a blend that contains a majority of this grape)
Rosé: French wines, yes I’m a basic bitch and will pick out Whispering Angel on a menu any day of the week.
Whites: Italian white, specifically Pinot Gris or French wines like Chablis
How do I find out which region I like?
I’m always a fan of buying a bunch of $8-12 bottles at a liquor store to try them out, and noting the labels I like, but let’s say that isn’t an ideal option or you can’t finish a bottle before it oxidizes. The answer I found….Vinebox!! One of my best friends gifted me a Vinebox subscription (this is such a good gift idea!! ) about 6 months ago and I‘ve fallen in love!
Vinebox sends a batch of single glasses of wine. You can notate which styles, labels, regions you like and which ones you’re not a fan of.
They even do speciality boxes like their Shades of Summer Rosé box I got this summer…yes, it was amaze balls.
Side note: It’s not too early to start thinking about the holidays and gift giving! Right now Vinebox is offering a special edition Twelve Nights of Wine. Last year’s special sold out in just 4 weeks, if this sounds like a winner then pre-order now!
With Vinebox, you can try small selections of wine without committing to the whole bottle and if you end up loving the wine you can purchase the bottle from them (or notate style, region, label etc..). Plus who doesn’t like receiving packages containing wine?!
This concept is a perfect option for someone like me trying to learn more about wine. I would love to hear your feedback and your favorite wines too! Please share in the comments below!
