Wine Is Personal
I remember a wine tasting early in my career. I was surrounded by people swirling wine in glasses and discussing its’ smell and taste using words like “petrichor” or “lychee.” I was handed a glass of Chardonnay, while the group named pairings like lobster or brie. All I could think was, “I bet this would be amazing with nachos.” Not lobster. Not brie. Just a messy plate of cheesy, spicy, jalapeño-covered nachos. I kept the thought to myself—who pairs nachos with wine?
But later, I tried it and it was AMAZING. I eat nachos a lot more than lobster anyways.
Enjoy It!
Drinking wine can feel like a club where only people with fancy vocabularies or deep pockets belong. At the tasting, I felt completely out of place listening to wine experts talk about “perfect pairings” and throwing around terms I didn’t know. It seemed like there was a “right” way to enjoy wine, and I was not in on the secret.
I spent a lot of time trying to follow the rules. But here’s what I know now: your palate is yours, and no one else’s opinion matters more than yours. Ratings, reviews, and expert advice? They’re all based on someone else’s preferences, not yours. What you love, how you drink, and what you pair it with—it’s what works for you.
My perfect pairings? A bright Albariño with tacos or a bold red with a bowl of mac and cheese. Sure, those might not win any sommelier awards, but they’re what I love, and that makes them right for me.
So what’s right for you? What have you tried and loved? Below are a few wine rules I’ve replaced. Go make your own wine rules.
Wine Rules I’ve Replaced
- A medium-bodied red wine like Sangiovese with a pepperoni pizza. That matches the flavors and the acidity of the tomatoes.
Instead, I go Malbec. Big, spicy flavors are fantastic with the richness of a good pepperoni pizza.
Me? I do a bold Syrah. Its bold flavors, dryness, and hint of spice cut through the richness of the sauce, creating a perfectly balanced bite every time
- Reserving rosé for traditional pairings like sushi.
My fave: Rosé and hot dogs. If you’ve never tried this at a backyard cookout, you’re missing out. Rosé’s crisp acidity cuts through the saltiness.
- Pick the Correct Wine Glass.
My personal wine hack is sparkling wine in a coffee mug on a Sunday. When fancy glassware feels like too much effort. I enjoy it almost more than in a champagne glass, because it’s so easy and still so good.
So the next time you want to do something – trust yourself. Wine Your Way.
How To Wine Your Way
Ask Yourself
- Do you like bold rich flavors or something light and crisp?
- Do you like to order red wines, white wines, or the most unusual wine on the list when you go out to eat?
Then lean into what you already know. Pick a wine you’ve liked with a food pairing, and start playing with it. Pair that wine with something else you enjoy eating – is it just as good? Or, do you want something different (more of some flavors, less of others)?
Ask An Expert
Tell them what you like. What you’ve tried and liked, and tried and not liked so much. See what they recommend. And if they recommend something you are not sure about, ask them for a different option. They’re there to ensure you enjoy what you drink, not make you drink something they love.
Take Our Quiz
Lastly, take our quiz and see if the wines that match your personality sound good – then try those.
Drinking what you love? That’s Wine Your Way.
As for us, we’re getting ready to make great wines easier to get than ever. At A Bit Unrefined, we work with small-production Washington winemakers who make great wines to drink now – and you can’t find them easily. These wines are crafted by someone who has a distinct point of view, with each wine having its’ own story. Follow us to learn more about these hard-to-get wines and then try them. Find what you love with us.
And remember, you know your tastes best (and you’re not wrong).