HOW TO FIND A GOOD WINE
How often have you gone looking for a bottle of wine that is inexpensive but still tastes good? It can be a difficult task. Do you know what to look for? It may be tempting to reach for the cheap bottle or one on sale. You usually end up with a mass-produced cheap wine. And when you get it home it not only tastes terrible but also contains additives. So whether you’re looking for
READ THE LABEL!
A wine label can sometimes be a challenge, as the wonderful marketing language serves a purpose by distracting you from the information that tells you what is in the bottle. There are wineries that will put information on the back to try to help you. So you need to take it for what it is. Look at what they’re telling you to pair it with or how to describe it or look for the labels that give you a little more information. Look for where the vineyards are or the winemaker’s process. That transparency will give you more information about the wine itself.
LOOK FOR LOCATION
It is confusing trying to determine where the grapes were actually grown versus where the wine was produced. Identify where the grapes were grown, rather than where the winery is located. It could say that the winery is in Sonoma, but on the front, it could say California. So essentially that means the grapes could come from different parts of the state.
GET AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE WITH WHERE THE WINE COMES FROM
Terroir — how a specific region’s soil, climate, and terrain affect the taste of wine. That plays a huge role in the quality of the wine your choosing – even with less expensive wines. Try to find ones that specify a particular geographic region. For example, wines labeled “Napa,” according to Federal law, at least 85% of the grapes must come from that region. When you find an area known for great wine it is even more useful. Better still is if the label identifies the specific vineyard.
DON’T GET STUCK LOOKING AT EXPENSIVE WINE REGIONS
You don’t have to look at some of the more coveted, big-name wine regions such as California’s Napa Valley or Bordeaux, France. You’re typically going to run into pricier bottles when you do. Expand your horizons beyond that and you will discover some incredible wines for less. Look for quality and value.
GET TO KNOW WINES FROM LESSER KNOWN REGIONS
There are excellent, inexpensive wines from not so high-profile regions not as high-profile as the known big names. Plus you’re likely to impress everyone at your next dinner party with your extensive wine knowledge. Just do your homework to familiarize yourself with the alternatives. Look at wines from the Loire Valley or the Languedoc in France. You can find some great values in Spain, Chile, or New Zealand. All have some great-priced wines with amazing quality. Domestically, think Santa Barbara. That region offers great value for the quality. With wines from regions like Lodi, you can get really good value.
Look for regions that grow your favorite grape variety. Stay away from popular regions like Napa and look for Cabernets from Italy, Chile, Australia, Santa Barbara, or Paso Robles. Look for regions that aren’t as popular.
GET TO KNOW THE IDEAL PRODUCTION AREAS FOR WINES YOU LIKE
Learn the ideal growing conditions and regions for the grape varieties you enjoy. This will help you find wines from areas that may be underrated and less expensive, but are still great growing regions for that variety. Look for coastal regions where you can get a great Mediterranean climate. Proximity to the ocean means that it’s the perfect climate for grapes like chardonnay and pinot noir. Some wine producers put little maps or geographic details on their labels, which can serve as helpful indicators.
WINE TIPS CONTINUED
Many white wines aren’t aged in oak barrels which saves money on both the barrels and the space required to age them and making them less expensive. White wines offer plenty of great options when you’re looking for an excellent bottle of wine that doesn’t cost too much. Whites from less well-known regions can offer great quality for less.
SHOP WHERE THE STAFF KNOWS THEIR WINE
Convenience often dictates where we grab a bottle of wine but may not be the best way to shop. When you’re rushing to a dinner party you’ll have a better chance of getting good wine for cheap going to a wine store where there is dedicated staff that knows about wine. A supermarket or a Costco there is no one to help you with your selections. And they rarely have any wine tips for you. You need to know what you’re looking for. But if you walk into a wine store — from BevMo to whatever’s in your neighborhood — there should be staff that knows wines to help you find what you are looking for.
JOIN THE BEST WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB
If you just want to not have all of the searching and wonder if the bottle of wine that you bought at the local store is going to taste good, then we have the answer. Our wine of the month club has its own sommeliers that pick the best wine from around the world where it is delivered to your door every month. We take away all of the questions if you will have a memorable experience with whatever bottle of wine you pick. If by chance you happen to get a bottle of wine you do not like, no problem! One of the special perks with our club is that you can get a replacement and not have to return the bottles you don’t like. You can give them away and receive a shipment of the wine of your choosing. Also, each shipment comes with its own wine tips (tasting notes) to help you enjoy your bottles of wine.
BEWARE OF THE BARGAIN BIN
Discounted products can often be found everywhere and a great place to score deals. Finding a good bottle of wine there can be a gamble. If you see that a white wine that is a sauvignon blanc from 2005, stay away from it. A general rule for white wines, you know those white wines that we drink that are crisp and light and refreshing, you want to drink them when they’re young. White wines that are meant to be aged. Keep within about three years for the vintage. Some red wines need time to age, and others will have peaked. Reds in the bargain bin may not be selling well or there could be other reasons. There is no inexpensive Champagne so avoid these if found discounted. Champagne is made at a cost.
I hope that these wine tips have set you on your way to finding a good bottle of wine. Make your choices so much easier by joining the BEST Wine of the Month Club here. Even if you are a “wine snob” you will find that we have the best fine wines you will find. No other club can peak with what we have. Go here to learn more.
