Understanding Wine and Spirits

The pain of graduation leads many to drown their sorrows in drink. But while beer-chugging contests and sake bombing were considered power moves in college, they begin to lose their mystique after graduation. Now’s the time to add a little class to your alcoholic endeavors. To help you out, here’s a primer on some more refined tipples to add to your artillery, from good red wine to the finest tequila. Stay classy, graduates, at least until the next reunion.

Wine Savvy

You don’t have to be that annoying d-bag from Sideways with his Merlotphobia, but knowing a thing or two about vino is a must in the competitive world of dating. Besides, it’s one of the few things that can get you tipsy and still be good for the ticker. Here are the ABCs of wine, from red to white, merlot to chardonnay.

Discovering Types of Wine

Wine classification goes by both the grape (Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, etc…) and by region (Bordeaux, Champagne, Chianti, etc…). Each type has its own unique set of characteristics that may or may not sound appealing to you, but ultimately the trick is try a bunch of wines and figure out what you like.

Many wine stores also have tasting bars, such as Vintage New York where customers can taste the wine before buying it. Go to Citysearch and enter “free wine tastings” to see what each specific city has to offer. Also, check out these sites for more local wine events and help finding a winery.

Red vs. White

Deciding on red or white often depends on what you’re eating. Generally, you should go for white with light, subtle foods like fish or most pastas, and reds with heavier dishes like meat or pasta with a cream or meat sauce. Luckily, most restaurants and bars serve the following staples:

Red

• Cabernet Sauvignon- Generally full-flavored with a smooth and lingering finish.
• Shiraz (or Syrah in France) – Tastes full-bodied with flavor notes of anything from violets to berries, chocolate, espresso, and black pepper.
• Merlot – Has a medium body with hints of berry, plum, and currant, and a buttery finish.

Whites

• Chardonnay – As one of the most versatile wines, often oaky but it can also be soft with fruity flavors or smoky with flavors of vanilla, caramel, or butter.
• Sauvignon Blanc – Tastes crisp, dry, and refreshing with flavors ranging from grass to tropical fruit.
• Pinot Grigio – Good for beginners due to its sweet, light, crisp, and neutral flavors.

How to Serve

Like a great meal, wine reveals its subtleties when served correctly. Indeed, in the world of wine, glassware is just as important as knowing how to get red wine out of white linen pants. Here is a guide to choosing the right glass.

Drink It, Speak It (Impress Your Friends)

In order to be the wine connoisseur of the posse, you need to know some basic (and not so basic) wine terms. Luckily, wines.com provides an online wine encyclopedia so if you ever get stuck debating the pros of oak-aging versus barrel-aging, you can fake a trip to the restroom and detour to your handy online guide.