Quick Wine Buyers Guide

Choosing the correct wine for a dinner or gathering of friends doesn't have to be hard as long as you keep in mind these easy wine selection tips.

Price

Typically the quality of wine you get will be determined by the price you're willing to pay. However, while you used to have to shell out $30 or more for a decent bottle of wine, nowadays there are many labels that offer excellent wines for as little as $15 or less. I've used my favorite cheap discount wine price guide to find many $50 quality wines for less than $10.

Preference

Unless you're drinking alone (hopefully not), you'll have to consider the preferences of your guests when buying wine. When choosing red wine, you may want to stick with some safe "Starter Reds" such as Merlot or Pinot Noir. If you want to go for slightly more complex flavors, you can try a Cabernet or Zinfandel. Safe whites include Riesling for sweeter tastes or Chardonnay for those who prefer a drier white.

Pairings

Choosing the correct wine for a dinner is as simple as understanding common food wine parings. At it's simplest, white wines tend to be best for lighter dishes like poultry and seafood while reds are better suited to heartier foods such as beef and strong cheeses. But even with a good wine buyers guide, the best wine you'll choose will ultimately come down to what you and your guests like most.