Nowadays, showing off your wine IQ is less about rattling off fancy chateau names and more about knowing good value — both environmentally and in the wallet. Here are some quick tips for drinking wine smarter:
1. Try a biodynamic wine
It may sound a little kooky to pack an animal’s skull with bark or hang stuffed deer bladder from the rafters, but while there is a spiritual aspect to biodynamic farming, 90% of it is just strict organic farming that pays close attention to the balance of the land.
In the U.S., Oregon is known for its biodynamic winemakers, so much so that wine writer Katherine Cole recently published the book, Voodoo Vintners: Oregon’s Astonishing Biodynamic Winegrowers. She recommends trying Montinore’s Gewurztraminer, with its bright aromatics and citrus notes, and Maysara’s Roseena Pinot Noir Rose, full of ripe fruit and fresh flowers.
Most wine shops don’t have a biodynamic section, but if you build a solid relationship with your local seller, you can always request that they order some for you. A number of restaurants carry biodynamic wines these days, which are often described as such on the wine list. If not, there’s no shame in asking your waiter or sommelier if they stock any.