Philadelphia, PA - First dates are nerve-wracking enough without worrying about what wine to impress your new friend! One of the great things about wine on a date is that one bottle is a defined amount, usually about five glasses. If shared equally, it is unlikely that you will fall off your chair drunk after half a bottle of wine! However, other social sins can be committed while choosing wine on a date.
Getting Started
First, decide whether you want white, red, rosé, or sparkling wine. This is perhaps the most crucial decision. Generally, red wine has more of an acquired taste, and selecting an excellent red wine can be more challenging. Therefore, it may be wise to avoid the red wine section.
When you do not know your companion's tastes, sparkling wine can make you appear a little pretentious. If you go for a cheaper version, a tightwad, it is usually best avoided. If you are not sure your reinsurer companion likes wine, roses are often a safe option as they often lack the sharpness that people commonly dislike in wines.
How Much to Spend?
Remember, more money doesn't always mean more quality. If you are very new to wine, go for a house white. A white House is unlikely to be incredibly imaginative or unusual but is almost always perfectly drinkable. For this reason, it is a safe, middle-of-the-road option.
If you want to impress, look for something other than the house white. Avoid extremes until you know your companion better, so don't go for bone-dry whites. Instead, opt for a fruity dry wine that appeals to those who like both dry and medium whites.
While neutral wines may seem like a cop-out, remember you want a drinkable wine that does not offend.
Suppose you are really not sure what to choose; why not offer your companion a choice of glasses as an aperitif while you have a beer or spirit? This way, you can judge your companion's taste. Even if they select a spirit, you can still get a measure of whether they prefer sweet or dry wines.
Of course, you could always give your companion the choice...
