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Wine for every occasion

It is the range and diversity of wines from all over the world, made from different grape varieties, in different styles that makes wine so fascinating and enjoyable.  From the highly sought after classics to the simple everyday drinking wine, there is a wine for every occasion.

If you are reading this article it is fair to say that you are interested in wines. I recommend that you become more aware of the style of wine your are choosing  to match the moment because every good wine, irrespective of its region country of origin or grape variety, will be perfect for certain occasions.

Sometimes a young Rioja will be more preferable that a bottle of Vega Sicilia.  That is not to say it is a better wine but it will be more suitable at certain times.

At a recent event at the French Institute in Valencia I provided the wines for a gathering of a diverse range of people.  I chose Guilhem Rouge, a bright, fresh easy drinking Grenache, Syrah blend from Moulin de Gassac, Languedoc in France.  The white wine, Guilhem Blanc, was a Grenache blanc and Sauvignon Blanc blend, again a good wine, youthful and fruity but uncomplicated and ideal for the occasion.  I could have chosen classic French wines but they would not have been right for the informal setting.

Being able to choose good quality not necessarily expensive, uncomplicated wines is important for all wine lovers.   How many times have you opened a really good bottle of wine and felt the people you are sharing it with are not enjoying or appreciating it as much as you had hoped?

Even with all your good intentions, maybe it was not the wine for that moment.  A good, simple, fruity wine would have been preferable.

For a winemaker to consistently make a good quality, simple, dry fruity wine that is uncomplicated can be more difficult to make a wine has been treaded of oak chips or other additives added to give complexity and depth of flavours.

How do you know you are choosing the right wine for the occasion?  Think of wines like your collection of LP’s, cherished but varied each track has its ideal moment Bach in the morning, at a social gathering Nirvana or cool jazz? You may cherish both but each has its occasion.

Here are some suggestions for wines that are good quality, good value, not complicated and suitable for informal gatherings.  My choices of red wines for an informal gathering with friends are Borsao Garnacha, Campo de Borja and Chapoutiere Cote du Rhone.  While a youthful Sauvignon Blanc from Chile or a rosé, for example Passion Bobal from Valencia.  Wines  that are fresh, fruity, uncomplicated and don’t require analysis.

So add a couple of good, easy drinking wines to your collection so that you have the perfect wine for every occasion.

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I am a Northern Irishman based in Valencia. My career in wine began more than three decades ago, in London. I am the founder of TheWinePlace.es, an online store, where wine enthusiasts can enjoy a selection of international wines and Verde Marte, a company dedicated to exporting Spanish wines. Also, Thewineplace.courses, an "approved program provider" of the courses of the prestigious WSET. I share my passion for wines through my media work writing weekly columns for the Spanish newspaper El Mundo and 5 Barricas, an online wine magazine.

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