4 ways to pick a good wine: leave your usual chardonnay and sauvignon blanc and drink something different
- If you’re feeling uninspired, you need to change your habits, and a good one to alter is the type of wine you drink, says sommelier Yulia Ezhikova
- Look into artisan wines, try ones made with lesser-known grapes, wines from other countries, and most of all, be adventurous
Are you feeling exhausted, stuck, uninspired? Drink some Zibibbo!
I’m only partly joking – mental ruts are the worst. One day everything is peachy, and the next, it feels like a struggle to complete the most basic tasks. You’ve fallen asleep at the wheel.
Science tells us that a great way to break out of autopilot mode is to energise our brains by disrupting established routines. Take an unfamiliar route to work, try a Pilates class or, yes, buy wine you’ve never tried before.
Red Sancerre, orange wine, obscure grapes such as timorasso, aglianico or pigato. Try hybrids, dark rosé. look at unfashionable or up-and-coming regions. The world of wine is bigger and more surprising than the typical supermarket shelf would have you believe. And while the biggest wine discovery of your life may be hiding behind unfamiliar words, it often comes with a smaller price tag – a reward for taking a leap of faith.
Unsure how to proceed? I’ve got you:
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Find a reputable shop. La Cabane, Deco Wines, Oz Terroirs, Bottle Wander, Crushed: there are plenty of indie retailers in Hong Kong, but even an established chain such as Watson’s Wine will have plenty of gems.
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Have a realistic budget. Interesting artisanal wines are not cheap to produce, so prepare to start at HK$150 to HK$200.
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Keep an open mind and be ready to hate it. You may well discover that amphora-aged Zibibbo is not your cup of tea, but don’t get discouraged.
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Take note of your experience. Every bottle you drink is valuable when you’re building an understanding of your taste preferences; wines you don’t like will guide you to the ones you do.
Now I’m not advising you to drink your way out of problems, that doesn’t work (I checked). But perhaps next time you’re thinking of getting your usual Chardonnay, remind yourself that inspiration is fuelled by curiosity. It’s good to take a risk every once in a while.
