Buying a good wine can be an exciting task, but it can also be overwhelming with the variety of options available in the market. Whether you are an experienced connoisseur or a curious enthusiast, here is a comprehensive guide to help you choose the perfect wine. At Bodegas Ferrera, we believe that the selection process is crucial to fully enjoy this craft beverage, and that's why we want to help you make it simpler and more rewarding.
1. Understand Your Personal Preferences
The first step in buying a good wine is to know your personal preferences. If you are not yet clear about your wine preferences, it's important to understand the taste differences between various types:
- White Wines: Made from green or yellow grapes, fermented without contact with grape skins, giving them a light and fresh color. They often have lighter and fresher flavors with notes of fruits like apple, pear, citrus, and sometimes floral hints. They can be dry or slightly sweet, depending on the style.
- Red Wines: Made with red grapes, fermented with the skins, giving them a dark color. They present flavors including ripe fruits like cherry, blackberry, plum, as well as notes of spices, vanilla, leather, and often tannins, providing a dry sensation in the mouth.
- Rosé Wines: Obtained from red grapes but with limited skin contact, resulting in a pink color and a taste intermediate between white and red, with notes of red fruits and freshness.
Having clear preferences will help narrow down your options and focus your search.
2. Consider Food Pairing
Wine and food are inseparable companions. Before choosing a bottle, think about the food you'll pair it with. Red wines are often ideal for red meat and cheese, while whites go well with fish, seafood, and poultry. Lastly, sweet wines are perfect for desserts, and sparkling wines are great for celebrations. The right pairing can elevate the gastronomic experience.
3. Explore Wine Regions
Each wine region has its distinctive character and style. French regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy are known for elegant reds, while the Champagne region is famous for sparkling wines. The Iberian Peninsula, including regions like Rioja and Ribera del Duero, offers rich and powerful wines.
In the Canary Islands, we have 10 Denominations of Origin, including the DOP Valle de Güímar, to which Bodegas Ferrera belongs.
4. Pay Attention to Labels
The labels on wine bottles contain valuable information. You can find the producer's name, grape variety, vintage, and designation of origin. The vintage refers to the harvest year and can influence the taste and quality of the wine.
Generally, wines with a more recent vintage are characterized by a smoother and fruitier taste and aroma, while older vintages are more intense.
Pay attention to these details to make informed decisions.
5. Check Ratings and Reviews
Wine ratings and reviews by experts and critics can be an excellent source of guidance. Magazines, websites, and specialized apps provide ratings and opinions on various bottles. However, remember that taste is subjective, and what works for one critic may not necessarily work for you. Use them as a guide but trust your own palate.
6. Try Wines from Small Wineries
Don't limit yourself to wines from large commercial wineries. Small wineries often produce exceptional wines with unique character. These wines often reflect the passion and craftsmanship of the producers and can be true hidden gems.
The characteristics of the soil where our vineyards grow, along with the climate and ecological techniques used, make our production more limited than in other wineries but of exquisite quality.
7. Don't be fooled by the price
Although it's tempting to think that expensive wine is always better, this is not necessarily true. There are excellent wines at affordable prices, and sometimes expensive wines do not meet expectations. Don't be solely guided by price; look for wines that suit your taste and the occasion.
8. The Importance of Storage
As we like to say at Bodegas Ferrera, "The best place to store wine is the stomach." Nevertheless, if you want to save your bottle for a special occasion, it's essential to store it properly to preserve its quality. Keep the bottles horizontally in a dark, cool place with no temperature fluctuations. Red wines are good for aging, while whites and sparkling wines are usually more suitable for short-term consumption.
9. Share the Experience
Wine is a social drink, and its enjoyment multiplies when shared. Invite friends and family to try new wines and oenological experiences together. Sharing impressions and discoveries will enrich your appreciation of wine.
At Bodegas Ferrera, we share your passion for wine and are committed to offering you an exceptional experience with each bottle. Our wines reflect the passion we put into every step of the process. From selecting the grapes to aging in oak barrels, every detail is carefully considered to offer you a wine that exceeds your expectations.
Explore our catalog and immerse yourself in the world of wine with us. Make your online purchase and we will deliver it to any part of the Canary Islands. Choosing the perfect bottle is the beginning of an unforgettable adventure. Cheers!