Wineladybird's Guide to the Best Wine in 2021

We love wine for different reasons. Wines have different tastes and aromas; so you get a difference experience with each bottle.

Wine is a versatile drink which can be used in different ways. If you’re wondering which wine best fits which purpose, don’t worry we got you! Here’s a guide to buying the best wine for different purposes.

Best Wines for Thanksgiving Dinner

Choosing the correct wine to partner up with all the classic dishes of Thanksgiving Day is very essential. A tip for Thanksgiving Day, go for wines that easily compliment a wide variety of foods rather than matching the wines with individual dishes or flavors.

A little guidance to help you know which wines go with the different unique flavors and aromas on Thanksgiving Day will go a long way to ensure this family holiday is flawless.

Cru Beaujolais is a go-to red wine because it packs enough fruit and acid without overshadowing the flavor of a dish. Pinot Noir is another great red wine that shows classic fall flavors such as cranberry, dried leaves and red apple skin.
Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling are white wines with fresh green notes which can be paired with a broad range of foods.
Cabernet Sauvignon (red wine) and Chardonnay (white wine) are the ultimate crowd pleasers and their oaky, bold notes make them suitable for roasted red meats on Thanksgiving Day.
Special note belongs to Zinfandel, a red wine packed with ripe berries and just the right ratio of acid to tannin making it a perfect pair for the rich flavors and sauces served on Thanksgiving Day.

Best Sweet Wines for Beginners

Wine tasting for beginners can be overwhelming especially if you don’t have someone to help you. From tongue-twisting pronunciations to a wide array of aromas and tastes, the experience can be quite challenging.

Sweet wines are a great way for welcoming beginners to the world of wine tasting since they are easier to drink.

Moscato is a sweet white wine filled with a blend of fruit flavors such as pear, orange, lime and pineapple. It is light and fresh, and works well with spicier foods, seafood or light meat.
Riesling is another great sweet white wine packed with several aromas ranging from perfumed floral to apples and peaches.
Tokaji is also a perfect sweet white wine for beginners. Its sweetness is often rated by the level of residual sugar found in a bottle.
Lambrusco is great choice if you’re looking for red wine. With noted of cherry, blackberries and almonds, Lambrusco can be paired with all kinds of steak, lamb or pork.
Dornfelder is also a sweet red endowed with aromas of cherries and spiced herbs; and tastes ranging from dry to sweet. All of the above will definitely give you a welcoming reception to a new mouth.

Best White Wines for Cooking

While cooking, you may be tempted to use whatever whine is hanging out in your fridge. Different wines add different elements of flavor or aroma to a dish. They bring their own flavor profiles and qualities to different meals.

You can use Pinot grigio, which is a dry and crisp white wine; it normally compliments seafood dishes owing to their delicate nature.
Sauvignon blanc is also a crisp white wine added to dishes to bring out citrusy and herbal elements. The acidic and juicy character of this wine makes it perfect when preparing marinades or sautéing fresh fish.
Chardonnay is also a white buttery and full-bodied wine that works well if unoaked.
Cabernet sauvignon is an excellent red wine for braising meats to soften and enrich their flavors while cooking.
Pinot noir is a red wine with much lighter varietal and cooks well a meaty stew. It’s not too bold or overpowering which makes it a go to varietal.

Try to use a dry wine over a sweet one whenever possible and remember that the varietal of the wine you use matters.

Best Wines for Weddings

Food and drinks are one of the most memorable aspects of a wedding. Caterers may provide you with food and wine matching advice, but this doesn’t mean you should entrust this great task to them solely, you might need to do your own research. Here are some of the best wines you can select for your wedding.

Pinot grigio is a white wine with citrus notes and refreshing acidity. Its balanced profile between florals and earthy spices makes it a perfect choice for your wedding.
White Burgundy pairs well with a variety of dishes and wedding seasons. It is quite versatile whether you’re looking for oaked or unoaked wine.
Chardonnay is a great white wine, a popular people pleaser making it a good option for your wedding. If you’re into red wine, pinot noir is a great choice for your wedding guests since it’s versatile and easily matches a variety of dishes.
Cru Beaujolais is a red wide that has just the perfect mix of fruits and tannins to pair with richer dishes at your wedding.
You may also consider Grenache, a red wine, with a perfect blend of fruit and spice making it ideal for your wedding dishes.

Best Wines for Sangria

Sangria is a staple for spring and summer months. Since there are many recipes on how to make this drink, choosing which wine to use comes down to personal preference and they type of fruits and mixers you wish to add.

When using white wine use fruits like berries, lemons, citrus, and pears; and for red wine use fruits like plums, apples, berries, and oranges.

Reisling is a white wine that is accentuated with citrus flavors which you can use to make your sangria.
Pinot gris is also a white wine, with nice tropical aromas of ripe peaches and apricots, which can be used in a sangria.
Vinho Verde is another choice of white wine. It makes one of the best ones for sangria because it does not overwhelm the flavors from the fruits and juices.
Red wine is one of the most commonly drunk cocktails. Merlot is a perfect red wine for your sangria because of its fruity and round, soft body flavor.
Pinot noir is a delicious red that makes perfect sangria because of its strong fruit flavors.
Cabernet sauvignon is another great red wine with aromas of black currants and black berries hence suitable to make your sangria.

Best Red Wines for Good Health

It’s normally said that red wine is good for the heart when consumed in moderation. But is red wine the only type that is good for your health?

Wines are not equal when it comes to the impact the have on your health. Red wine is generally the healthier type of wine you can drink. Here’s a guide to help you make a choice on your next glass of wine if you’re looking for a healthy option.

Pinot Noir is a great red wine and has a positive impact to your health. Compared to other red wines, it has the highest concentration of resveratrol; an antioxidant that improves your heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. It has also been said to improve brain health and insulin sensitivity hence boosting your lifespan. It has lower sugar content compared to other reds.
You can also go for other dry red wines such Merlot and Cabernet. The levels of resveratrol are also high in the two wines which will keep your heart healthy. Their sugar content is also low compared to other wines.
Avoid sweet wines such as Moscato and Riesling which are white wines; loaded with sugar and zero healthy antioxidants.

Best Wines for Italian Food

Taste pairing is everything when it comes to Italian food and wine. It’s a beautiful combination of rich, herb-infused cuisine with perfectly aged, tangy wine that creates a memorable dining experience.

Choosing the perfect wine makes all the difference in making your favorite Italian cuisine amazing. Below is a guide to help you choose the best wine for your Italian food.

Pinot grigio is a great white wine if you’re having a classic pesto dish. It has a rich yet simple flavor to bring out the goodness of pesto.
Zinfandel red wine will be perfect if you’re having a rich pasta or pizza dish. It is able to match the rich tones of a zesty sauce and add its own twist that brings pleasure to your taste buds. It is also great with meat dishes such as Italian meatballs.
You can go Chianti, a dry red wine when having a cheese meal or even a salad. It is quite popular for being paired with any Italian cuisine.
Pinot gris is perfect to pair with your seafood dishes. It has a fruity flavor of pear, apple and other light notes which makes it bring out the creaminess of oyster, calamari, crab and lobster dishes.

Best Red Wine for Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is a perfect beverage especially for the cold winter days. Wine can be served in many different ways. It is wine added with spices, sweeteners and sometimes a shot of hard liquor; and served warm.

Generally, dry or semi-dry variety of red wine is the best for making mulled wine. The type of wine you use determines the outcome of your mulled wine. Wines which are tannic, acidic or sweet flavored least suitable because they end up becoming too concentrated as you continue with the mulling process.

The following wines are some of the best wines to use for mulled wine.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is an excellent red wine for mulling. It is filled with plummy notes and other dark fruit flavors. Since it’s not too acidic, it blends very well with baking spices.
Nero D’Avola has been named the perfect wine for mulling. It is fruit-forward with full body and high alcohol content, which are the main things to look out for when choosing your mulling wine.
Zinfandel is one of the most recommended red wines for mulled wine. It has raspberry, blueberry and some light oxidative notes. It also has light tannins and a flavor that blends compliments the spices you will use in the mulling process.
Shiraz is a popular red wine with fruity flavors of blueberries and blackcurrants. Since the wine is full bodied, it is able to complement the spices making it a top choice when it comes to mulled wine.
Beaujolais is another great choice for mulled wine. The wine has amazing fruity notes of cranberry, tart cherry and raspberry. These notes are crowned by underlying flavors of forest floor, banana bubblegum and mushroom with a smoky finish. You will love the bursting flavors that will come with mixing the wine with spices. Alcohol content of this wine is also sufficient, so you don’t need to add a lot of alcohol.

Having full body and fruit-forward ensures the wine blends well with the spices without one overpowering the other. High alcohol content is important because it creates a base that can sustain heat when you are mulling the wine. Another reason for recommending this wine is that it’s very cost effective.

Can white wine be used for mulling? Absolutely! White wine which has a hint of sweetness like Reisling can be used when mulling. Since it’s slightly sweet, it comes together really nice with spices when mulled.

Best Red Wine for Steak Dinner

Just imagine an evening complete with the best steak complemented by the most delicious wine. Selecting the best wine-and-steak pair can make a huge difference to your dinner, and the slightest mistake can ruin it all.

This may not be an easy task. It helps to understand the basics of pairing your steak dinner with the perfect wine. You should remember that not all kind of wine go well with just any kind of meat.

If you’re having a bold flavored beef steak, you should consider drinking, Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a red wine that goes well with steaks that ooze juiciness and mouthwatering marinade. It can also be paired with a simple meatloaf containing spices.
Zinfandel is a great red wine to pair with a T-bone or a rib-eye steak. Because of its high acidity level, it partners well with that has medium to high levels of fat.
Beaujolais and Dolcetto are sweet red wines that go well with simple cut stir-fry beef. The sweetness of the wine complements spicy meat perfectly.

The perfect wine and steak pairing can indeed make turn your steak dinners into unforgettable moments.

Best Wines for Valentine’s Day

Wine and romance are inseparable! Valentine’s Day is a special day to impress your partner with a good selection of wine coupled with roses and maybe chocolates. You can also easily set the mood for a romantic dinner by choosing a great bottle of wine.

Moscato is an excellent choice for Valentine’s Day. It’s a sweet, fizzy white wine which can add a little sparkle to your romantic day. Moscato is light and bubbly with hints of peach, apricot and apple.
Many say Pinot Noir is a romantic wine suitable for a romantic dinner for Valentine’s Day. This red wine has aromas of violets, berries and damp earthy notes that make a beautiful balance. It has a velvety texture and pairs well with poached salmon, mushrooms and herbs.
Ribera del Duero is a red wine that has dark cherry, vanilla and spice aromas. It is a great partner with slowly braised meats and stews on a Valentine’s Day dinner.
Another great option is the Cabernet Sauvignon which is a red wine. You can gift your partner this bottle that has notes of cocoa, chocolate and red currant flavors. It has a light finish and can be accompanied with a meal or alone. And if you really want to make an impression, buy red roses bouquet. You can just order it online! For US and Canada, we can recommend using Canadaflowers.ca. Delivery is very quick and they offer great discounts. In the United Kingdom, try Bemyflowers.co.uk – it’s one of the best flower delivery services in UK.

Best Wines for a Date (Romantic Night)

What makes a wine ideal for a romantic date? While there are many factors, the key to choosing a romantic wine for a date night includes pairing it to your partner’s taste preference. Here is a list we’ve put together for every taste and preference suitable for a romantic night.

Pinot Noir is a red wine with a combination of feminine and masculine notes. The aromas are floral and fruity with decadent and sexy flavors. This combination makes it exciting and one that can easily please those who love fruity reds.
Springvale Riesling white wine is considered to be an excellent romantic occasion wine. It has a unique aroma of roses and its flavors are largely citrus. However, it is still able to maintain a soft, silky texture.
If you and your partner love to enjoy a bottle without limits, Cabernet Franc red wine is the perfect option for you. It has aromas of rose petal together with musky blackberries. The wine has a hint of mysterious spice with cranberry and sweet tannins. This beauty will definitely ensure you create a memorable night with your partner.
Lastly, if you or your partner preffer non-alcoholic drinks, check out our article on alcohol free wines. Alcohol free Cabernet Sauvignon From Ariel would be a great choice!