There's a New App To Help You Choose Your Perfect Wine And We Love It

Original Article 10th August 2020, updated 16th September 2021

There’s a new app in town and we are not ashamed to say - we are 100% obsessed. Pingza uses an exclusively genius algorithm that helps determine which wines suit your palate the best through a very simple 8-point test; promising the right wine, every time. Not only does this pick the ultimate wines for your unique tastes but each bottle is available from all major supermarkets - so no fancy vino-shopping is needed. So if wine buying scares you a little bit, like it scares us, this is the perfect pal (free to download on both iOS and Android) to keep in your back-pocket. The app takes less than two minutes, requires a few simple personal details, such as your favourite supermarket and email address to send recommendations too, as well as discounts and vouchers, and you can even filter the results to show wines that pair perfectly with your favourite dishes. Any programme that means we can spend less time worrying and more time drinking, we are here for. Some of the Consommé team tried the app and this is what they were paired with and what their wine expert recommends we pair with our new obsessions.

But what exactly makes Pingza so special? Matthew Aylmer, the founder and managing director of Pingza claims it can help you choose wines with confidence and its USP comes from choosing wines based on your own taste not someone elses making it the perfect app for wine drinkers, not just wine experts and we would have to agree - we are truly in love with this app and you just have to try it too.

Pingza

White Wine

Cool and Crisp - Editor Amanda.

This categorised result meant the user preferred and favoured lighter crisp wines over the more heavier variants - opting for citrus and apple aromas such as a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand or a Chenin Blanc from South Africa.

Pingza reccomends: Champteloup Touraine Sauvignon Blanc (Waitrose, £7.49), Cotes De Gascogne Blanc (Tesco £5.25) and La Puma Orvieto DOC (Waitrose £7.99)

Matthew recommends pairing this one with asparagus, fish and chips, mussels or oysters.

Consommé’s verdict: I already have a soft spot for a Sauvignon Blanc and would order in a restaurant should I be choosing chicken or a creamy risotto (which is my absolute favourite Italian dish). This French based bottle would also pair well with cheese, salad and a whole manner of white fish and is beautifully aromatic and crisp with a clean dry finish.

Elegant and Smooth - Food Writer Adam and Features Writer Ryan

This result chose wines with a refreshing acidity based on the users preferences but with a rounded mouthfeel such as a Chardonnay or a blended Sémillon - although with this option there are plenty of wines that could fit the bill.

Pingza recommends Co-op’s Irresistible Chablis (Co-op £12.50), Macon Villages (Marks and Spencer £9) or Viña del Cura Rioja Blanco (Tesco £5)

Matthew recommends pairing this with a meat-laden starter such as beef carpaccio, blue cheese pasta or salmon - in any form.

Consommé’s verdict: I chose the 2018 Chablis, which was described as “elegant and smooth” by Pingza. They're not wrong. Taking a strange turn, my wife and I shared this bottle while having a pizza, and it actually played well with the mozzarella and mixed roasted vegetable topping. It's a smooth, easy-drinking wine, but packed with some really nice fruity flavours, that you could definitely enjoy on a warm summers evening, eating Al Fresco with friends.

Fruity and Fragrant - Food and Drink Assistant Kirsten

Aroma is the key for this one - providing as much pleasure as the actual flavour and overall drinking and opts for rich and highly aromatic wines such as those made with Gewürztraminer (spice in German) or Muscat. A Riesling or Chenin Blanc are also great choices for this category.

Pingza recommends Laurent Miquel Nocturnes Viognier (Waitrose £9.39), Vouvray, Domaine Les Perruches (Co-op £8.50) and Tesco Finest Alsace Gewürztraminer (Tesco £9)

Matthew recommends pairing this with spiced dishes such as Asian, Indian or Thai something with a bit of a kick, some fragrant herbs and exotic spices.

Consommé’s verdict: The Tesco Finest Alsace Gewürztraminer may be a mouthful to get your tongue round, but has a delightful mouthfeel to get your tongue round(!). It’s full-bodied but balanced perfectly with notes of apricot and ginger at the back. It’s not a wine for those who are shy to punchy flavours but is brilliantly expressive. Paired perfectly with coconut-laden curries or any Chinese oriental flavours.

Pingza

Red Wine

Smooth and Juicy - Food and Drink Assistant Kirsten

Labelled the sunshine wines these New World Merlots that are mouth-filling and full of flavour are the ultimate choice for this user. Picking options that pair brilliantly with BBQ’d foods such as an Italian Negroamao or a Portugese Touriga Nacional.

Pingza recommends The Best Negroamaro (Morrisons £7.25), Co-op Australian Lime Tree Merlot (Co-op £5.25) and Burra Brook Merlot (Marks and Spencer £7)

Matthew recommends pairing these with BBQ flavours such as roasted aubergines with tomato, pasta bolognese or a ripe brie.

Consommé’s verdict: Not being a huge lover of red wine I was curious to see how my choices and palate were matched to a bottle of red. And I have to say, each glass was poured a little more full than the last; that was till the bottle was empty. Smooth & Juicy as correctly labelled by Pingza, NegraAmaro paired superbly well with an evening of cheeses, pickles and crackers. And I think it’s safe to say - I’m now a red wine convert.

Elegant and Energetic - Editor Amanda and Food Writer Adam

Freshness is the overall vibe in this category - wines made from high acidic grapes such as a Cabernet France, Nebbiolo or the Bordeaux variety.

Pingza recommends Gerard Bertrand Merlot (Morrisons £8.75), Barolo DOCG 2014 (Lidl £11.99) and Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir (Asda £12)

Matthew recommends pairing these with charcuterie platters, rich coq-au-vins or a mushroom based dish. Lamb also works great or a soft camembert.

Consommé’s verdict: Gerard Bertrand Merlot was the favourite choice here from the offset which has jammy notes and a balanced spice, with juicy plum and red fruits lingering on the palate. This intense bottle reflects the elegant and generous style of the French vineyards and pairs perfectly with red meat, soft cheese and pasta. An all-round bottle that sure hits the spot.

Big and Powerful - Features Writer Ryan

Making a big statement by pairing wines with plenty of character is the theme here with ripe fruit to balance out the oak. These European wines are likely to come from Spain or a New World version Albec from Argentina, Australian Shiraz or a California Zinfandel. Lots of choices, and plenty of delicious options.

Pingza recommends McGuigan Reserve Shiraz (Morrisons £6), Wm Morrison Primitivo (Morrisons £7.50) and Familia Pacheco Organic Monastrell (Waitrose £7.99)

Matthew recommends pairing this robust wine with rich stews, smoked meats, game and hard cheese. It also works wonderfully well with fragrantly spiced Moroccan or Mexican flavours.

Consommé’s verdict: I went for the McGuigan Reserve Shiraz, I’m a fond lover of Australian wines and this estate has some belters. I believe this category is a pretty accurate representation of my personality; it’s the kind of wine best enjoyed in front of a log fire while consuming anything that has been soaked, stewed or marinated in more red wine. Fantastic with slow braised beef shin or a casserole.