At almost every Bottles Nation tasting, someone pulls Michael aside and quietly admits, "I don't really like wine." By the end of the night, most of them have found at least one they love.
One of Michael's favorite examples: at one event, a guest refused to even try the wine. They "just didn't like it." Michael kept pouring for the table anyway, and when he got to a dry Riesling from Australia, the holdout finally took a sip. Then another. It ended up being their favorite wine of the night.
If wine has never clicked for you, it's usually not you. It's the bottle you started with.
Why wine can taste bitter or harsh
Tannin. That dry, grippy feeling in big red wines comes from grape skins and seeds. It's the same thing you taste in strong black tea. If you dislike that, skip heavy reds for now.
Acidity. Some crisp whites can taste sour on their own. With food, that same acidity becomes refreshing.
Alcohol. High-alcohol wines can feel hot or harsh, especially if you're used to lighter drinks.
Oak. Heavily oaked wines can taste like vanilla, smoke or wood, which is a lot if you were expecting fruit.
Start with these styles
Dry Riesling. Crisp, citrusy and clean. Australian Rieslings from the Clare and Eden Valleys are bone-dry and bright, which is exactly what won over that guest.
Sparkling rosé or Prosecco. Bubbles, fruit and a soft finish. Fun, festive and easy.
Moscato d'Asti. Lightly sweet, gently fizzy, peachy and low in alcohol.
Dry rosé. Strawberry and watermelon notes, served cold.
Light, chilled reds. Pinot Noir or Beaujolais (Gamay) are juicy and low in tannin. Put them in the fridge for 20 minutes.
Three tricks that help
Eat something. Wine is made for food. A bitter sip on its own can taste completely different with a bite of cheese.
Serve it colder. A slight chill softens alcohol and makes most wines easier to drink, reds included.
Taste side by side. Comparing two wines at once makes it obvious what you do and don't like. That's the whole idea behind a guided tasting.
Ask the somm
Tell Sommelier on Demand exactly what you'd tell a friend: "I don't really like wine, it tastes bitter." When we tried it, it recommended La Vostra Prosecco Rosé because "soft bubbles and a little fruitiness make this super approachable if wine usually tastes bitter," plus El Coto Rosado and Erath Pinot Noir.
Or skip the guesswork and book a private tasting. Michael has converted plenty of non-wine-drinkers, and there's never a wrong answer.
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.
