Picking the right wine

Ms Manners,

When I go out to a meal with work I never know which wine to pick, apart from just looking for what’s in my price range. Any tips?

Wine can be a wonderful partner with your meal. But it’s just like in real life where picking an enjoyable partner to share a dinner date with can be over (or sometimes under) whelming.

Just FYI, I don’t pretend to be the world’s expert on wine. I see my role here is to simply help you to stay looking proper and professional so if you really want to know what you are smelling and tasting I suggest you check out the tasting notes from this site www.winecompanion.com.au.

In the meantime, here are some simple guidelines to help you next time you are dining:

• Light bodied white wine goes with: light fish/shellfish dishes, light cream dishes.

• Full bodied white wine goes with: rich fish dishes, lobster and heavy creamy pastas.

• Light bodied red wine goes with: light dishes such as pork, chicken, and even fish a little heavier, like salmon.

• Full bodied red wine: anything rich and heavy such as some pasta sauces, rich chicken dishes, steaks and other heavy red meats.

But here is a big but of mine: even though some people may say it’s poor form to order the wrong wine/food partnership, I say if you prefer white wine then drink white wine.

Enjoy your new confidence and the game of etiquette.

Kind Regards,

Ms. Manners