A wine expert has highlighted the importance of choosing the right aperitif, suggesting that light and crisp wines are ideal for preparing the palate before a meal. Traditional options include brioche-y sparkling wines such as champagne, crémant, or English sparkling wine.
Dry sherries, including fino and manzanilla, are also noted for their savoury characteristics that can ready the palate for food. The expert also recommends wines from cooler maritime climates, citing their salinity and minerality as beneficial for stimulating appetite.
Specific recommendations include Muscadet, which is described as crisp, affordable, and often bottled sur lie, giving it a rounder flavour. Other suggestions include txakoli from Spain's Basque region and picpoul de pinet, which can also be enjoyed throughout a meal.