Wine is better than beer. Courtesy | rawpixel
Versatility and durability are two qualities that are highly valued within today’s culture. The ability to adapt and be useful in different situations, as well as the ability to endure and improve over time makes people and objects more treasured. The same is true in the debate of wine versus beer. Because wine is more versatile, and can last and improve over time, it is better than beer.
Whether it is a hot summer barbecue at the lake or a dinner at a Michelin star restaurant, wine is a socially accepted beverage in any and every environment. Associated with fine dining, sophistication, and gorgeous cities like Napa, Florence, and Paris, wine has a high-class reputation suitable for every situation. Whereas beer is known for its bellies, dirty pubs, and grumpy old men, wine has hundreds of different iterations to fit your needs.
Not only does wine boast over 200 varieties, but it can also be used to create classy cocktails, simple sangrias, and pleasant punches. And if you don’t feel like sipping it, wine can also be used to make a multitude of exquisite dishes. While beer only offers battered fish and bright orange cheese, wine is known for deepening and elevating the flavors and qualities of beef roasts, chocolate cakes, and stews.
Because of its extensive ranges of acidity, flavors, and alcohol content, there is a type of wine to go with any kind of food. Try a cabernet sauvignon with your rare steak, sip a pinot gris with your pear salad, or grab a sangiovese for your homemade bolognese. Regardless of your tastes in cuisine, you can conduct a quick Google search to find a glass of wine that matches your meal and flavor preferences. Not only does this versatility create endless culinary choices, but it also opens the opportunity for a new hobby or learning experience. The art of wine pairing is a skill that takes practice and knowledge of the characteristics of wine varieties. So as you learn to cook up new dinner dishes, you can also expand your understanding of this expansive topic.
Along with the superior diversity of wine, it also never grows old. While beer has a strict expiration date, the production process of wine actually utilizes time to help make the product better. That’s why there’s popular sayings like, “he’s aged like fine wine,” because the drink is known for getting better the longer it ages. The more time that quality wine is left in a cool, dry place, the more vibrant its flavors will become. Wine can be stored not only for years, but also decades. This quality allows consumers to save a wine for a special occasion, impress guests by serving a five year old bottle, or even fill a wine rack for decoration without the risk of it spoiling.
Unopened beer, on the other hand, can only last a maximum of eight months, but it begins to lose its carbonation and flavor after three to five months. So if you’re rummaging around your parent’s alcohol cabinet looking for something to sip on, it’s probably a safer bet, and a better experience, to choose the dusty wine bottle over the faded can.
Beer has an undeniable history and culture of its own, but it is not as versatile or durable as its competitor. With only about 100 varieties, an unimpressive flavor range, and a short period of quality flavor, it is clearly worse than wine.
