5 TIPS TO ELEVATE YOUR WINE EXPERIENCE IN FAIRHOPE

Purchasing, ordering, and even tasting wine can be intimidating. It often deters a truly interested person from taking that leap. I get it. I was there once too. Below are some tips and tricks to help you feel more confident when purchasing and ordering wine.

1. Visit reputable wine shops and build a relationship with the wine director.

I highly recommend taking the time to visit your local wine shop rather than grabbing that go-to bottle off the grocery store shelf. That go-to bottle serves a great purpose, but I am a huge proponent of stepping outside of your box when it comes to trying new wines. That is why it is so important to build a relationship with a local wine expert. At Provision, I love getting to know our guests, learning about their favorite go-to wines, and recommending a few bottles that would complement their palate.

One more thing, and it is an important one. Grocery stores are filled with mass-produced wines made with powders, commercial yeasts, and other synthetic materials to create that same taste every time. Well-crafted wines, like those at most smaller wine shops, actually reflect the soil, climate, and vintage of a specific place.

2. Keep an eye out for tasting events in your area.

Fairhope is filled with wonderful wine shops, bars, and restaurants that host regular wine tastings and even wine dinner events. I recommend asking to be added to any email list or newsletter, and following your favorite spots on Instagram and Facebook. A few of my favorite spots to watch for tastings and dinner events are Provision, The Hope Farm, Red or White, and La Martina.

3. Learn what you like and what you do not.

Did the wine you just tried make you happy? Did you not care for it? Start tracking your favorite wines and wine styles. The easiest way to do this is with the Vivino wine app or a simple wine journal. You can create a profile, snap a photo of the label, rate the wine, and add your own notes. As you track your favorites, you will start to notice exactly what your palate prefers.

4. At a restaurant, ask to speak to the beverage director.

If you are dining at a Fairhope restaurant and the wine list feels intimidating, ask to speak with the beverage director. Once you have started tracking your favorites on Vivino (right?), you can simply tell the director what you enjoy, and he or she will be more than happy to recommend a few bottles. Trust me, we love being asked questions. Helping connect a guest to a great bottle of wine is our favorite thing to do.

5. Join a wine club.

I personally curate the wines for the Provision Wine Club each month. With three options available, you get to practice tasting and learning about wines you most likely would never have picked on your own. They are all well-crafted and unique. Check out the Provision Wine Club to learn more.

When all is said and done, wine is meant to be enjoyed with friends and family. I truly hope these tips help you begin, or continue, your journey discovering well-crafted wines.

Cheers!

Christina Quick
Wine Director, Provision · @bamawinemomma

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