Tasting Europe

European Wines I Actually Drink: My Honest Take

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I drink a lot of wine. Not fancy for show. Real bottles I bring to dinner, game night, or a quiet Tuesday with pasta. You know what? Europe keeps pulling me back. When I'm hunting for new bottles or food matches, I skim the regional guides on Tasting Europe to see what locals pour alongside their plates. The bottles feel steady. They feel lived-in. Like a sweater that fits right. One write-up that steered my shopping list was their frank rundown, European Wines I Actually Drink: My Honest Take.

I’m not a sommelier. I’m a curious sipper with a notebook and a cheap aerator. I use two IKEA glasses, a rubber wine stopper, and a very nosy cat who loves boxes. Here’s what I’ve tried, what sang, and what… didn’t.

How I Taste (Very Normal, Very Real)

I pour a small amount. I look, I sniff, I sip. Then I wait a minute and sip again. Sometimes I let the bottle sit open 20 minutes. It can soften rough edges. If a wine smells like matchstick at first, I give it air. If it still smells off after 10 minutes, I move on.

I keep an old Vacu Vin pump for leftovers. Not perfect, but it buys me another day.

France: Clean, Snappy, and Sometimes Moody

  • Sancerre, 2021 Henri Bourgeois “Les Baronnes”

    • Why I bought it: My fish night needs a friend.
    • Taste: Lime, wet stone, a little gooseberry. Super bright.
    • What I loved: So clean with baked cod and lemon. It cut through butter.
    • What bugged me: On day two, the zing turned a bit sour. Drink same day.

  • Beaujolais-Villages, 2021 Louis Jadot

    • Taste: Fresh cherry, a bit of bubble gum, light spice.
    • Win: I chilled it for 15 minutes. With roast chicken? Yes please.
    • Miss: A tiny bitter note on the finish when it warmed up too much.

  • Champagne, NV Piper-Heidsieck Brut

    • Taste: Crisp apple, toast, small bubbles.
    • Joy moment: New Year’s with salty chips. Fancy meets simple. It works.
    • Note: Pricey. I grab Cava when I want the vibe without the bill.

Italy: Heart, Herbs, and Sunday Sauce

I partly blame Tasting Europe’s piece on the best Italian wine they keep reaching for for my recent Chianti streak.

  • Chianti Classico, 2019 Ruffino Riserva Ducale

    • Taste: Sour cherry, dried herbs, a little leather.
    • What I loved: With spaghetti and meatballs, it felt made for it.
    • Caution: Tannins (that dry grip) can feel rough without food.

  • Barolo, 2016 Vietti “Castiglione”

    • Taste: Rose, tar (yes, tar), cherry, long finish.
    • Big truth: It needs time in a carafe. Then it blossoms.
    • Ouch: The price. I save it for birthdays. Not a weeknight pour.

  • Soave Classico, 2021 Pieropan

    • Taste: White peach, almond, clean finish.
    • Side note: Great fridge white. Good with shrimp tacos.
    • Little gripe: The middle felt thin with creamy dishes.

On the fizzier side, their diary of Italian sparkling wine—real-life sips, spills, and smiles convinced me to stash a bottle of Lambrusco in the fridge.

  • Etna Rosso, 2020 Tenuta delle Terre Nere
    • Taste: Red fruit, smoke, salty edge.
    • Magic: Pizza night. The ash note with charred crust? Chef’s kiss.
    • Quirk: First pour smelled a bit earthy-funky. It blew off fast.

Spain: Warm, Savory, and Easy to Love

I loaded up on these bottles after scrolling through Tasting Europe’s notes on the best Spanish wines they actually drink. It felt like asking a neighbor, not a lecturer.

  • Rioja Reserva, 2018 Muga
    • Taste: Plum, vanilla, cedar, a touch of dill.
    • Good stuff: Cozy with grilled steak and roasted peppers.
    • Watch out: Oak shows up big. If you hate wood spice, this may tire you.

For a palate check, I lined my notes against their verdict in I Tasted the Top-Rated Spanish Wines So You Don’t Have To (But You’ll Want To).

  • Albariño, 2021 Martín Códax
    • Taste: Lemon, green apple, sea spray.
    • Why I repeat: Sushi or poke bowls. It just clicks.
    • Tiny knock: Loses charm if too warm. Keep it chilled.

That coastal pop of Albariño made me revisit Tasting Europe’s travelogue on tasting across Spanish wine regions; their Galicia notes are spot-on.

  • Cava, Segura Viudas Brut Reserva (NV)
    • Taste: Citrus, pear, a hint of toast.
    • Win: Bubbles on a budget. Great for brunch mimosas.
    • Flaw: Finish is short. Fun, not deep.

If bubbles are your love language, their rundown of Spanish sparkling wine that keeps them reaching for a refill is a fun rabbit hole.

Portugal: Zest and Nightcap Joy

  • Vinho Verde, Aveleda (NV)

    • Taste: Light, zesty, a tiny spritz.
    • Pairing: Salad with feta and olives. Also patio naps.
    • Note: So light you can miss it with spicy food.

  • Port, Graham’s Six Grapes Reserve

    • Taste: Blackberry jam, cocoa, sweet spice.
    • Best moment: Dark chocolate and an old movie. Cozy city.
    • Heads-up: Sweet. Small glass does the trick.

Germany and Austria: Sharp, Pretty, and Bright

I used to assume German whites lived on the sweet side, but Tasting Europe’s confession, I Thought German Wine Was All Sweet— I Was Wrong (and Happy) About It, nudged me toward the drier shelves.

  • Riesling Kabinett, 2021 Dr. Loosen “Blue Slate”

    • Taste: Peach, lime, slate. Slight sweetness.
    • Perk: Cuts heat in Thai takeout like a pro.
    • Quirk: If you want dry-dry, this isn’t it.

  • Grüner Veltliner, 2021 Domäne Wachau Federspiel

    • Taste: Pear, lemon zest, white pepper.
    • Snack win: Roast chicken and simple greens.
    • Mild gripe: Pepper note felt sharp when very cold. Let it warm a bit.

Greece and Hungary: Crisp Islands and Gold Dessert

  • Assyrtiko, 2020 Gaia “Thalassitis” (Santorini)

    • Taste: Lemon, sea salt, smoke.
    • Love: With grilled octopus at home (yep, I tried). Spot on.
    • Note: High acid. It’s a wake-up call, not a cuddle.

  • Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos, 2016 Royal Tokaji

    • Taste: Apricot, honey, orange peel.
    • Perfect with: Blue cheese or apple pie. Sweet meets tang.
    • Caveat: Sweetness can weigh heavy after one glass.

What Actually Surprised Me

  • Cheap Beaujolais chilled beats many pricey reds on a hot night.
  • Albariño and popcorn? Weird, but it works.
  • Barolo showed me patience matters. Air changed it from sharp to silky.
  • Vinho Verde made lunch feel brighter. Not better, just brighter.

Those surprises echoed a lot of the takeaways in their marathon diary, I Spent 30 Days on European Wine Tours—What I Loved, What Fell Flat.

Bottles I’d Buy Again (and Why)

  • Everyday:
    • Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages 2021 — juicy, chillable, friendly price.

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