The wine aisle can feel like a wall of 500 identical bottles. You don't need to know anything about wine to choose well. You just need to answer four questions.
Step 1: What are you eating? (10 seconds)
Match the weight of the wine to the weight of the food.
Light food (salad, fish, chicken): light white, rosé or sparkling
Rich food (pasta in cream, roast chicken): fuller white or light red
Heavy food (steak, burgers, BBQ): bold red
Spicy food: off-dry white like Riesling
No food, just hanging out: sparkling or rosé
Step 2: What do you usually like to drink? (10 seconds)
Like iced tea or black coffee? You can handle a red with some grip.
Like lemonade or margaritas? Look for crisp whites and sparkling.
Like sweet drinks? Try Moscato, off-dry Riesling or sparkling rosé.
Step 3: Set your budget (10 seconds)
The sweet spot for everyday wine is about $12 to $25. Under that, stick to value regions (see our under-$15 guide). Above it, you're paying for more complexity or a famous name.
Step 4: Read the label smartly (30 seconds)
Look for a grape or a specific region, not just "red wine."
Check the alcohol: under 13% tends to be lighter and fresher; over 14.5% tends to be bigger and riper.
Look for shelf tags written by store staff. They taste the wines; use them.
At a restaurant
Pick a price you're comfortable with, point at it, and tell the server what you're eating and what you usually like. Good sommeliers love that question. Nobody will judge you.
Or skip all four steps
Open Sommelier on Demand in the aisle and type it the way you'd say it: "Salmon dinner for four, I like crisp whites, around $20." You'll get two or three of Michael's event-tested picks, each one available at ordinary local shops. Add it to your home screen and it's always in your pocket.
Want to train your palate for real? A guided tasting with Michael is the fastest way to learn what you like.
Booking holiday parties now. December dates fill fast. Bring Michael to your office holiday party, host an in-home tasting in Metro Detroit or Chicago, or ship virtual kits to a remote team.
