The internet's most commonly asked questions about wine .. and the answers

Terminator 2 joke for the fellow nerds

There's a good chance that followers of The Wine Events Company know the answers to these questions, but I found it interesting nevertheless to see what the general public wanted to know and thought it might give some insight for when I'm planning my next tasting.

So many times I'm sitting in a tasting hosted by a wine maker or fellow wine professional, understanding everything that's being talked about but wondering if the rest of the room feel the same way. We go out of our way to make our events as informative and accessible for everyone as possible, and if I start using jargon without explaining it, I'm usually heckled by my partner in crime Lucy to explain it.

So, what are the questions being asked? ChatGPT broke the responses down into six useful categories; Wine Basics, Buying & Choosing Wine, Wine & Food Pairing, Grapes & Varietals, Wine Knowledge & Myths and Storing & Serving Wine.

I was intrigued to understand why ChatGPT thought 'The Best Marques de Los Rios Rioja Crianza' from Morrisons was the best wine under £10 in the UK right now. A wine that only scores 3/5 on the Morissons website. You can see the very well reasoned response at the foot of this page, including a high scoring Decanter review. (There's a fair chance that Decanter tasters have a better palate than Morrisons customers, and Olly Smith loves it too).

As I said, you'll likely know the answers but you might also be interested to see what the questions were.

🍷 Wine Basics

1. What is wine made from? Just fermented grapes—nothing fancy, just fruit and time.

2. What’s the difference between red and white wine? Red wine is made with grape skins; white wine isn’t. That’s what gives reds their colour and bolder flavours.

3. How is wine made? Grapes are crushed, fermented, aged, then bottled. Nature does most of the work.

4. What is the best wine for beginners? Try a fruity Pinot Grigio or Merlot—easy to drink and not too intense.

🍾 Buying & Choosing Wine

1. How do I choose a good wine? Go for trusted regions (like Rioja or Marlborough) and don’t fear screw caps—they often mean fresh and reliable.

2. What’s the best wine under £10 in UK supermarkets right now? Try The Best Marques de Los Rios Rioja Crianza from Morrisons—great value and full of flavour.

3. Is expensive wine really better? Sometimes yes, but often no—your taste buds don’t care about price tags.

4. What wine goes with steak / chicken / pasta / cheese? Steak loves a bold red, chicken suits Chardonnay, pasta’s best with whatever’s in your glass, and cheese is friends with everything.

🥂 Wine & Food Pairing

1. What wine pairs with spicy food? Go for off-dry Riesling or chilled Lambrusco—sweetness cools the heat.

2. What wine pairs with chocolate? Try a ruby Port or rich Zinfandel—decadent, like dessert in a glass.

3. What wine goes best with pizza? Chianti or any juicy red—it’s a match made in Italian heaven.

4. Is it OK to chill red wine? Yes! Light reds like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais love a slight chill, especially in summer.

🍇 Grapes & Varietals

1. What’s the difference between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon? Merlot is soft and plummy; Cab Sauv is bold and full of structure. Think cuddle vs handshake.

2. What is a Sauvignon Blanc? A zippy white wine often full of citrus, gooseberry, and grassy notes—super refreshing.

3. What is a Pinot Noir? A light red with soft tannins and flavours like cherry, mushroom, and forest floor. Elegant and often a crowd-pleaser.

4. What is a ‘blend’ in wine? It’s a mix of grape varieties—think teamwork in a bottle.

🧠 Wine Knowledge & Myths

1. What does "tannins" mean in wine? They’re the compounds that give red wine that drying, puckery feeling—like strong tea.

2. Is wine good for your health? In moderation, maybe—but it's best enjoyed for pleasure, not prescriptions.

3. How many calories are in a glass of wine? Roughly 120–150 per glass. Dessert wines and higher alcohol = more calories.

4. How long can I keep an opened bottle of wine? 2–5 days depending on the type—pop it in the fridge to stretch its life.

🏡 Storing & Serving Wine

1. What temperature should wine be served at? Whites: chilled (7–10°C), reds: lightly cool (12–18°C)—room temp is often too warm.

2. How should I store wine? Keep it cool, dark, and lying flat if corked. Avoid the kitchen heat trap!

3. How long does wine last once opened? A few days—reds last 3–5, whites 2–3, fizz needs finishing sooner.

4. What’s the proper way to open a bottle of wine? Twist the bottle, not the corkscrew. Or use a waiter’s friend and look smug.

Are you surprised by the questions? What do you want to know? Feel free to ask us any questions you may have about wine: info@thewineeventscompany.com

So why did ChatGPT recommend 'The Best Marques de Los Rios Rioja Crianza' from Morrisons as the best wine under £10 in the uk right now?

🏅 1. Critical Acclaim at Budget Price

• It’s regularly rated 90+ points by wine critics like Decanter and has featured in “best supermarket wines”roundups from trusted UK wine writers.

• It punches well above its price bracket for structure, oak ageing, and Rioja authenticity.

💰 2. Classic Style, Consistently Delivered

• It's a proper Crianza: aged in oak and bottle, with smooth vanilla, red fruit and spice—what most people expect and love in a Rioja.

• Many wines under £10 are technically decent but lack identity—this one still feels like “real” Rioja.

🛒 3. Availability & Accessibility

• Morrisons has good national coverage, and the wine is widely stocked in-store and online.

• It’s almost always on a deal for £8–£9, making it more affordable than many lesser-known or private-label wines.

We've recently started featuring some Morrisons wines in our tastings and they've all been received well, a notable favourite being The Best Cremant de Limoux rosé. A cracker at £12.75 a bottle. I might just give that Rioja a try.

I hope you found that interesting and hope to see you at one of our events very soon.

Yours in wine, Tony