Is your date a Pinot Noir or a Riesling? Are you a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Chardonnay? Can a wine order give you insight into someone’s personality and interests? Absolutely!
In honor of National Wine Day, we took a closer look at the 10 most popular wine varietals to figure out what they say about you and your date’s personality. And to help you out, we also threw in a few date ideas to pair with your favorites.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one the world’s most widely recognized red wine grape varieties, and is the most popular grape among American wine drinkers. It’s often blended with Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and the typical taste profile is full-bodied with high tannins and notable acidity, which allows its flavor to improve with age.
Personality Pairing = bold and assertive
People who like Cabernet are confident, bold, and honest. They appreciate the finer things in life and have a just-do-it attitude. The longer Cabernet lovers live, love, and experience life, the better they become. As a result, they make wonderful life partners.
Date Pairing = dinner at a restaurant
Cabernet Sauvignon goes with bold foods and bold company.
Champagne (and Sparkling Wine)
Champagne and sparkling wines are most commonly associated with celebration. They’re made from a blend of grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Gris. The taste profile can vary widely from maker to maker, but they’re typically sweet, musty, fruity, and nutty.
Personality Pairing = spontaneous and bright
Champagne lovers are bubbly, energetic, and have a great imagination. They also tend to be spontaneous, affirming the idea that variety is the spice of life.
Date Pairing = club and parties
Champagne and sparkling wines go well with lively environments and fun company.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the most diverse and most planted green-skinned white wine grape in the world. Its taste profile can rage from rich, toasty and buttery to tart, tropical and acidic—depending on the climate the grape is grown in.
Personality Pairing = laid-back and dependable
Chardonnay drinkers are a little shy when first meeting people, but are very easy to get along with. They’re very consistent, logical, and organized, and enjoy living within their comfort zone.
Date Pairing = beach
Chardonnay goes well with a crisp day and sunny company.
Malbec
Originating from the Bordeaux region of France, Malbec is a red wine that is a crowd-pleaser and easy to drink, with a ton of juicy fruit flavors. It is increasingly celebrated as an Argentine varietal wine, but is grown around the world.
Personality Pairing = observer and problem solver
Malbec lovers may be more on the quiet side, but they’re great observers and use their observations to find innovative solutions to problems. They’re also deep and soulful, and prefer the company of a few close friends rather than a crowd.
Date Pairing = in front of the fireplace
Malbec goes well with a warm fire and deep conversations.
Merlot
Merlot, which in French means The Little Blackbird, is regarded as the underdog to Cabernet Sauvignon. It is often said to have a plummy taste and notes of chocolate, and is known for being soft, smooth and elegant. It’s easy to drink and goes well with food as well as on its own.
Personality Pairing = empathetic and adaptable
People who love Merlot also love teamwork, cooperation, and ensuring that everybody is happy. They enjoy the simple things in life and strive for harmony.
Date Pairing = a home-cooked meal, followed by a movie on Netflix
Merlot pairs well with great food and warm company.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a mutation of Pinot, the mother grape to all ‘Pinot’ wines (e.g. Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, etc.) and is Italy’s most popular white wine. Most Pinot Grigios are fresh and fruity, intended to be served cold and consumed young.
Personality Pairing = loyal and down to earth
Pinot Grigio drinkers are very conscientious of those around them, which makes them great friends. They value peace and harmony in their life.
Date Pairing = backyard or porch
Pinot Grigio pairs well with peaceful environments and easygoing company.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is, without a doubt, the most romanticized red wine in the world. One of the reasons for this is because it’s hard to grow, which results in a great bottle of Pinot Noir being a rare find. The best Pinot Noir boasts delicate, sometimes sour, cherry and strawberry flavors with some spice.
Personality Pairing = a thinker and a perfectionist
Pinot Noir lovers are full of personality, are real charmers, and are in tune with their own emotions as well as those around them. They live for the moment and work hard to achieve perfection.
Date Pairing = museum or gallery
While Pinot Noir pairs well with food, it also pairs well with creative and thought-provoking environments with engaging company.
Riesling
Riesling has been regarded as the greatest white wine grape for hundreds of years. Throughout history, Riesling has been revered for its vibrant personality, pure fruit flavors, versatility with food, and ability to age for decades.
Personality Pairing = planner and socialite
Fans of Riesling mix well with most people, and most enjoy their company. They are very idealistic and are good at helping people realize and execute on their potential.
Date Pairing = lunch date
Riesling pairs well with spicy food and friendly company.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc (also known as Fumé Blanc) is an international white grape varietal that originates in France. It is known as a refreshing dry wine that has a great minerality, aromas, and tastes of herbs and grasses, and a nice crisp pucker.
Personality Pairing = energetic and alluring
Sauvignon Blanc drinkers have high energy, a zest for life, and a sharp wit. They like solving problems and jump to a challenge with excitement.
Date Pairing = picnic
Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with delicious picnic snacks and cheery company.
Syrah/Shiraz
Syrah (also known as Shiraz in Australia) is one of the noblest grapes of France’s Rhône Valley, and by far the most widely planted Rhône variety in California. It is famous for its typical fruity and peppery aromatic taste profile, as well as a rich and often rather tannic quality.
Personality Pairing = adventurous and wild
Syrah drinkers are confident, self-assured, and fearless. They enjoy thinking out of the box and solving problems creatively. Syrah lovers also dislike going through the motions and get bored with routine. For them, life’s all about adventure.
Date Pairing = post-outdoor activity (hike, rock climb, bike ride, etc.)
Syrah is a great reward for your wild adventurers and is best enjoyed with fellow adventurers.
The next time you’re on a date, pay close attention to your date’s wine order—you’ll instantly get a better sense of whom they are. And there’s no better way to enjoy National Wine Day, than with a glass of wine with someone special. Cheers!
