sommelia. is a curated online wine shop based in Zurich, Switzerland. We offer a selection of wines from independent producers worldwide. Tell us about the occasion, the food, or the style you enjoy, and our conversational shop assistant will point you to the right bottle.

How does the sommelia. chat assistant work?

Our conversational shop assistant helps you find the right wine by asking about your taste preferences, the occasion, and food pairings. Simply describe what you are looking for, and it will suggest the best matches from our curated selection.

Where does sommelia. ship to?

We currently ship across Switzerland. Delivery is handled with care to ensure your wines arrive in perfect condition.

What types of wine does sommelia. sell?

We offer red wines, white wines, sparkling wines including Champagne and Sekt, rosé wines, and non-alcoholic alternatives including sparkling teas and dealcoholized wines. Our selection focuses on independent and artisan producers from France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Argentina, and more.

What is the price range?

Our wines range from CHF 11 to CHF 89 per bottle, with many excellent options between CHF 17 and CHF 55. We focus on outstanding value from independent producers.

Do I need to know a lot about wine to enjoy it?

No. Knowing more about wine means you can make better choices and articulate what you like — but it doesn't make the wine taste better. A wine you love without understanding why is still a wine you love. That said, a little knowledge does reduce the chance of spending CHF 40 on something you won't enjoy.

What's the best wine for a complete beginner?

Whichever one you already enjoy. If you don't know yet, start with a dry white: Pinot Grigio or a Muscadet for something light and simple, a white Burgundy if you want a little more complexity. Avoid anything labelled 'dry' that you then find sweet, and avoid anything with 14.5% or higher alcohol until you know you enjoy full-bodied wines.

Does the shape of the glass matter?

More than you'd think, less than glassware companies would like you to believe. A standard tulip-shaped wine glass works for everything. You don't need varietal-specific glasses to drink well.

How do I know if a wine is good?

If you like it, it's good. That's not a cop-out — it's genuinely the answer. 'Quality' in wine is about balance, length, and complexity. But all of these are in service of enjoyment. A wine can score 95 points and bore you, and a CHF 15 bottle can delight you.

Wine for Beginners: How to Start

You don't need a course or a cellar to drink better wine. You need about ten minutes, a few key ideas, and someone to stop using jargon at you. This is that guide.

2026-06-06 · 8 min read

Key takeaways

Wine is just fermented grape juice — the complexity comes from the grape variety, where it was grown, and how the winemaker handled it.
The four things that shape what a wine tastes like: fruit, acidity, tannin (mainly reds), and alcohol.
There is no objectively correct way to taste wine. Your preferences are valid. Training your palate just means paying more attention.
Start with one region or one grape variety and get to know it before broadening out. Depth before breadth.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know a lot about wine to enjoy it?: No. Knowing more about wine means you can make better choices and articulate what you like — but it doesn't make the wine taste better. A wine you love without understanding why is still a wine you love. That said, a little knowledge does reduce the chance of spending CHF 40 on something you won't enjoy.
What's the best wine for a complete beginner?: Whichever one you already enjoy. If you don't know yet, start with a dry white: Pinot Grigio or a Muscadet for something light and simple, a white Burgundy if you want a little more complexity. Avoid anything labelled 'dry' that you then find sweet, and avoid anything with 14.5% or higher alcohol until you know you enjoy full-bodied wines.
Does the shape of the glass matter?: More than you'd think, less than glassware companies would like you to believe. A standard tulip-shaped wine glass works for everything. You don't need varietal-specific glasses to drink well.
How do I know if a wine is good?: If you like it, it's good. That's not a cop-out — it's genuinely the answer. 'Quality' in wine is about balance, length, and complexity. But all of these are in service of enjoyment. A wine can score 95 points and bore you, and a CHF 15 bottle can delight you.

Not sure which wine to pick? Tell our sommelier what you are eating or the occasion and we will find the right bottle — or browse the full sommelia.ch collection.

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