On Monday, we discussed beginner’s tips on wine. Wine is a classic subject for people looking to improve their social success because it can be an intimidating subject. But if you’re a legal drinker in your community, then here are some rules on how to select a type of wine to go with your menu selection.

The Classic
The cardinal rule of pairing wine with food is that white wines should be consumed when eating lighter proteins such as fish or delicate preparations of chicken. Red wines go with heavier main courses, such as steak or something with a thick, spicy sauce. Many people consider this an unalterable fact of wine consumption. You can’t go wrong following this simple guide.

The Rebel
More adventurous wine drinkers ignore that old stodgy rule. “Most foods can be accompanied happily by several different wine types,” writes expert Joanna Simon in Discovering Wine. The more modern concept is to simply drink what you want, with whatever you want. Enjoyment is the key.

The Decadent
After-dinner wines are an interesting way to improve desert. Vintage port wines go well with dark chocolate. Rieslings have a sweetness that compliments white chocolate. A muscat wine pairs well with citrus desserts such as key lime pie. These varieties are a little less common than most dinner wines, so don’t hesitate to ask your server’s suggestion.