You know the feeling: You’re standing in the wine aisle, squinting at labels that sound like geography quizzes, wondering if you’re supposed to know what “carbonic maceration” means, and whether that $10 bottle with the cartoon goat on it is secretly great or just a bad idea.
Here’s the good news: Wine and spirits don’t have to be complicated. And they definitely don’t have to be pretentious.
In fact, the most exciting bottles right now are the ones that break the rules—playful natural wines, bold new-world spirits and offbeat producers who care more about personality than pedigree and quality of farming. They’re the kind of bottles that don’t care if you decant, swirl, or use a mason jar. They’re made to be enjoyed, not scrutinized.
The wine industry is adapting and changing its reputation. Before, if you didn’t know the difference between Burgundy and Bordeaux, or how to pronounce “Viognier,” you might have felt like the drink wasn’t for you. Today’s wine and spirits scene is full of makers who don’t want to intimidate you. They want to invite you in. And they’re doing it by offering bottles that are: approachable but unique, affordable but thoughtful, and serious about quality, but never self-serious.
If you want to explore something different, start with a few of these suggestions.
- Chillable reds – Light, juicy reds that taste amazing with a slight chill and a slice of pizza
- Orange wines – Made from white grapes with extended skin contact, orange wines are funky, textured, and weird in the best way. They taste like a cross between tea and cider and go great with spicy takeout.
- Pét-Nats (Pétillant Naturel) – These lightly sparkling natural wines are made with just one fermentation and often come in whimsical labels. They’re lively, wildly fun, and perfect for sharing with friends who might not prefer wine.
Regarding spirits, there are plenty that don’t take themselves too seriously. From craft gins to obscure liqueurs, spirits are also loosening up—and getting more creative. Here are a few to dive into and explore further.
- Unusual botanical gins – They are not your standard London Dry. Forget those and try a gin infused with seaweed, lemongrass, or spruce tips. These bottles show off the wild side of distilling, often in colorful packaging that feels more party than dad’s after-dinner drink.
- Local craft whiskeys – These are worth discovering instead of chasing prestige brands. Smaller distilleries are producing bold, flavorful whiskeys using regional grains and aging in non-traditional ways. Some are even experimenting with mesquite smoke or beer cask finishes.
- Low-ABV curiosities – are having a moment, such as vermouths, amari, and apertifs that are often lower in alcohol but big on flavor. Sip them neat, over ice, or with soda for something refreshing and out of the ordinary.
You don’t need to pass a test to enjoy wine or spirits. You just need a good bottle that makes your Tuesday dinner feel like a celebration or spark a laugh when you pop and swizzle. There’s nothing wrong with learning and exploring the complexities of wine and spirits. But you get to like what you like. Full stop.
To assist you, look for shops that write notes about the wine or spirits as they are more focused on connection and not prestige. Ask the staff for a “weird but wonderful” recommendation. Trust us, they love that. Also, ignore price as a quality indicator. A $15 orange wine could be the best thing you’ve ever tasted.
Whether it’s a cloudy bottle of pét-nat from a garage in Austria or a small-batch rye made down the road, the world of drinks is more explorative, open, playful, and welcoming than ever. You don’t need to speak fluent “sommelier.” You don’t need a fancy glass. You just need curiosity, and maybe a corkscrew. So go ahead and grab something unfamiliar. Pour it into whatever’s clean. Take a sip. Smile. No judgment. No jargon. Just joy.
Kindred Spirits & Wine is a local wine shop with four locations – Fairfield, Westport, Monroe and Shelton. They have a well-curated shelf of wines from around the world. Each weekend, they offer in-store tastings, and monthly, they have educational wine tasting events to enhance your discovery. Monica McCall is the Wine Director who goes above and beyond to bring wines of great quality and value at every price point.
Kindred Spirits & Wine
2260 Black Rock Turnpike
Fairfield, CT 06825
(203) 374-0040
kindredspiritsandwine.com