How Choose Wine
The Rule of 5
Welcome ! Not sure how to choose a wine ? Which wine to choose for a meal or a special occasion ? With meat, fish, or dessert ?
Did you know there’s a simple rule used by sommeliers ? It helps us make quick decisions when choosing wine. I’ll explain it here, just below !
It even works if you’re looking in a supermarket !
Written by your young French Sommelier Thomas ! 🇫🇷
The Rule of Five, to quickly choose a wine from your personal cellar, at the supermarket, or from your wine merchant...!
Wine isn’t that complicated; it’s all about understanding, and I’ll explain it to you in 5 simple points right below, so you can finally stop asking, “Which wine should I bring to dinner tonight ?”, “What wine should I choose as a gift ?”, “How do I pick a wine at the supermarket ?“:
It’s not as mysterious as it seems—”The Art of Tasting” is accessible to everyone, and there’s a rule we learn early on in Sommelier training that I’ll share with you as briefly as possible here.
This rule is obviously applicable to many wines and in your usual places of purchase, whether it’s at your local wine shop (where they also use this rule) or when you’re at the supermarket, standing in front of the wine aisle, wondering what wine would pair well with tonight’s meal, or what wine you could gift to a friend or family member who loves a certain type of dish.
I definitely recommend going directly to a wine shop. Don’t be afraid—there will be wines for all budgets, and it’s part of their job to find accessible gems. They might even offer tastings if they have open bottles available.
These professionals are the best ones to guide you and make your choice easy, without all the questions you’ll ask yourself during the day and in front of the shelves where everything may quickly seem complicated!
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How to choose your wine ? Rule 1 : Color Pairings
This is the basics of wine tasting. When you reach the nirvana of indulgence, you discover new flavors, and this is possible with just a few basic rules. Let me show you :
Color Pairings :
This is the most fundamental ! It’s often said that you can pair wines with types of dishes. For example, chicken, which is white meat, goes well with white wine. It sounds simple, but… it’s mostly true ! You can frequently pair wines with dishes based on their color. While it might not be the pairing that elevates your meal the most, it almost always works !
So, “How to choose your wine for meat or fish ?” Basically: Red meat, red wine. White meat, white wine. Fish, white wine, to name a few !
The Right Glasses :
At the very least, you also need the right glasses. A wine only finds its expression in the glass designed for it. And that’s scientific ! You can learn more by following this link: Wine Glasses, Truly Essential !
How to choose your wine ? Rule 2 : Regional Pairings
This is one of the 5 Rules that will be complicated to explain since it’s based on French wines and, likewise, French dishes. However, the rule is still applicable. If you have a bit of knowledge about French wine, you should be familiar with wines from Burgundy or Bordeaux. These famous wine types pair perfectly with traditional dishes from the same production region as the wines in question.
For example, when you eat oysters, choose a white wine from near the sea. In France, we would tend to choose a nice Muscadet from the Loire Valley ; the pairing is perfect. The acidity and freshness of this wine lighten the rich texture of the oyster, while the oyster adds a mineral quality to the wine—it’s sublime.
Know that this pairing is also possible at home ! In America ! With nice Sauvignon Blancs from California or even a Pinot Gris from Oregon. So, in this case, you’re respecting two rules of food and wine pairing : the color pairing (the oyster being white) and the regional pairing, with a wine from near the sea for a maritime dish ! It’s simple, but you can apply this to a multitude of dishes.
Don’t forget to chill your white wine ; it should be enjoyed at a specific temperature for the balance of acids and bitters. You can find my explanation and the accessories that can help you achieve this for a better experience right here : The Various Accessories You Need for a Successful Meal !
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How to choose your wine ? Rule 3 : The Power Pairings
Now we’re getting to the fun part—a powerful wine with a rich and flavorful dish.
Example : Tri-tip rôti with a Syrah from Paso Robles. This bold, flavorful cut of beef pairs perfectly with a Syrah, which brings a lot of aromatic richness, with tannins that gently dry the mouth, along with scents and flavors of cooked and candied fruits. It’s memorable ! Meals like this are perfect to share with friends for a relaxed and enjoyable time. See ? You’ve got the COLOR, REGIONAL, and POWER pairing. If you follow these rules, you’ll find it much easier to choose the right wine for your meal—it’s practically foolproof.
Example 2 : Rare steak with a tannic red wine. The juices from the meat will soften the tannins, adding more richness to your dish.
Example 3 : Grilled Pork Chop with Cherry Sauce paired with a Zinfandel from Lodi. The rich, slightly sweet sauce complements the fruit-forward and spicy nature of the Zinfandel, while the pork chop’s charred and savory flavors balance the wine’s bold tannins. This is a classic Californian pairing that’s sure to impress.
Tannic red wines are often accompanied by sediment. Tannins are a living part of wine, and while they don’t significantly impact the taste when they settle, the last person served will have some sediment to “chew on” in their glass. There are plenty of little tricks to help avoid this, such as using a decante r: check out my tips to Prevent Sediment at the end of your bottle.
In conclusion, how do you choose the right wine for a tri-tip ? A flavorful cut of beef with a Syrah from Paso Robles—a wine that’s just as aromatic ! This food and wine pairing is sure to be a hit !
This guide will also show you the importance of letting your wine breathe : Decanters, a Science for Tasting, the top accessory for 2025.
How to choose your wine ? Rule 4 : The Finesse Pairings.
For those with delicate palates, those who love to close their eyes while savoring a meal, this section is for you. Here, we talk about finesse. What do we drink with grilled salmon ? White wines from the coast (makes sense), but for example, grilled salmon from the Pacific Northwest paired with a Columbia Valley Chardonnay works incredibly well.
A fine wine with aromas and acidity that cuts through the richness of the salmon, we’re already salivating. It’s a SYMBIOSIS on the palate when the sea meets the land. And I won’t surprise you anymore; we’ve got COLOR, REGION, and FINESSE. All five rules are in play! You’ve become as skilled as I am at choosing wine.
In short, if you’re eating grilled salmon and don’t know what to pair it with, don’t stress—just follow the color rule (white). If you know where your dish comes from (regional pairing), and considering power and finesse, color helps a lot. Sure, you can find powerful white wines, but it’s often a matter of color; white wine is usually more delicate than red.
Ultimately, the trickiest part of food and wine pairings is what you CAN’T do—Accessories, Glasses, Decanters, and proper storage with a Wine Fridge; that’s technology’s job. Follow the guide !
So, how do you choose the right wine for grilled salmon ? By following the previous three rules, you can understand that based on the color, the region of the salmon, and its aromatic profile, your food and wine pairing will be excellent with a Columbia Valley Chardonnay !
Don’t forget about what we call serving temperature, which I’ll detail in the next article. The optimal temperatures for your wine, along with ways to enjoy it in the best conditions : How to Know the Serving Temperature of Your Wine ?
How to choose your wine ? Rule 5 : The Heartfelt Pairings.
This one may not have any scientific basis, but as a wine enthusiast, I still want to emphasize it :
Savoring with Heart: A Pleasure Accessible to All :
Always treat yourself, whether it’s with an everyday wine, the one you open on weekends when you come home, the one you enjoy with family, or the one you share with friends—be it while watching TV, by the waves, or during a family meal. Savor it with heart !
Wine, regardless of its price, should always be a pleasure (in moderation). It must be an object of sharing; that’s imperative. Whether you’re satisfied with a modest bottle, it won’t make your moment any less precious than one that opens a rare bottle. It’s the moment that enriches the wine, not the other way around.
So, how to choose your wine ? By following your own tastes! That’s a food and wine pairing where you completely align!
For the connoisseurs, there will always be beautiful bottles that may seem overpriced, offering a different kind of pleasure. Don’t forget yours !
Finally :
In conclusion, the rule is simple in Sommellerie: food & wine pairing. To choose a wine, whether it’s selecting a red wine, choosing a white wine, at your wine shop, from your cellar, at the supermarket, or hypermarket.
- First, apply point 1, color pairing: depending on what you’re eating—red meat, white fish, poultry, etc.—you first choose a wine with the same color in mind.
- Then, point number 2: based on the region where your dish originates, choose a wine from the same region. For example, a Sauvignon blanc of Oregon with oysters.
- Apply point number 3: based on the strength of your dish, if it’s hearty, Grilled Pork Chop with Cherry Sauce paired with a Zinfandel from Lodi
- For point number 4, if the dish is delicate, pair it with something refined, for example, grilled salmon from the Pacific Northwest paired with a Columbia Valley Chardonnay
These are the rules to follow for effective food and wine pairings, quickly and easily, and finally answering the question of what wine to choose for tonight or how to pick a wine to go with what you’re planning to eat!
I hope this helps, and that you’ll enjoy making beautiful pairings as much as I do, whether for your personal enjoyment or for your guests. Wine is important, but with the 5th rule in mind, it’s all about pleasure first, a pairing that has heart for everyone!
About How Choose Wine
A brief introduction: I’m Thomas, a Sommelier and Wine Merchant in France for several years now, and I’ve been working in the wine industry for over 10 years. I fell in love with it early on and never looked back. That’s why I created Howchoosewine, to share with you my tips, favorites, and recommendations so you can enjoy a great moment with a beautiful bottle of wine!
You can learn more by clicking the button below :