3-Step Introduction to Wine for Craft Beer Lovers
This is an introduction to the world of wine for people who love craft beer, but it can also work as an introduction to the craft beer world for those who love wine. Either way, we preach war no more and we all just want to get along…Beer lovers and wine lovers unite!
By The Wine Community on Oct. 25, 2017
You know everything there is to know about the world of craft beer, so maybe now it’s time to add a new passion to that already developed palate of yours. Wine perhaps?
Don’t look at me like that, you might actually like it. “Nope, I hate wine,” you are thinking, but just because you try something new does not mean you are cheating on your old love and just because you tried one gross wine, one time does not mean you should write off all wine.
As a beer enthusiast, you’d never let your friend just try any mass produced beer and then say “Nope. I hate beer.” Correct? Your experience with wine should be the same.
We’d love to expose you to the wonderful world of wine. We think you’ll see so many similarities between the worlds of wine and craft beer and we’re pretty positive that you may actually enjoy it.
According to a Food & Wine article by Jillian Kramer:
A wine connoisseur loves the complexities and subtleties of a good glass of wine—a balance of sweetness, bitterness, acidity, and real body—which a good beer also has, says Anne Becerra, certified cicerone at Treadwell Park. “Fermentation-driven flavors found in beer are just as exciting as those found in wine,” she promises. “It can be just as elegant, just as refined, just as explosive, just as flavorful—and most times found at a fraction of the cost.” And, “just like wine, everyone has a [beer] entry point—if they have the patience to keep searching for it,” Benson says.
We don’t want you to get frustrated, so we want to help you get to the starting point quickly, easily and smoothly. Here are 3 easy steps:
1. Read More About Wine:
2. Attend a Wine Tasting To Find Out What Wine You Like
You’re ready to get tasting. Enter the world of wine with an open mind and try a varietal similar to your favorite beer-style. Here are some of our suggestions that have some similar flavor profiles:
Cabernet Sauvignon = English Strong Ale
Chardonnay = Saison
Champagne = Biere de Champagne / Biere Brut
Malbec = Porter
Merlot = Stout
Pinot Noir = Belgian Dubbel
Port = Barleywine
Riesling = Belgian Witbier
Rose = Fruit Lambic
Sauvignon Blanc = Hefeweizen
Syrah / Shiraz = Red Ale
You can find more excellent suggestions and explanations in the Food & Wine article “Which Beer You Should Drink If You Love Wine.”
3. Find a Winery Near Me
We suggest finding a winery near me then take a tour or talk to the winemaker. Alternately, if you don’t live in a wine region and you don’t plan to visit one anytime soon, you could find a restaurant or wine store near me that has a Sommelier or someone who is similarly knowledgeable and they could help you dive right in.
Check out our Guide to Buying Wine for more details on picking a wine store that is right for you or How to Plan A Wine Tasting Trip. Like visiting your favorite brewery this is really helpful in learning about different varietals, flavor profiles etc…
We think these 3 steps will help make your wine experience all the better. Once you find a varietal you like the world is your open bottle. Feel free to check out our sister site JustWine for more suggestions and to learn more at Just Wine University.