We thought we would give you a little help this Easter with our top tips on how to buy better wine.
1. Know your store
Every wine shop, supermarket, and off-licence is different. Different layout, pricing structure and focus; ‘New World’ or ‘Old World’. If you are a novice and all the wines are over €50 you are probably in the wrong place.
2 Have a plan
Have an idea of the wine you want before you go in. Whether its something you have tasted before, read about in a magazine or got a recommendation from a friend. When you go in you may get bogged down by prices, grape varieties, and regions.
3 Develop a relationship with the
owner/salesperson
Never be afraid to ask. Usually people in a wine shop are just hoping you will ask so they can impress you with the vast or little knowledge they have. If you visit the shop at the same time every week, there will usually be the same staff on, they will know whats new, good or bad.
4 Price does not equal value
Well known regions can be priced high because of supply and demand. Other lesser know regions may be keenly priced to gain market share. Newspaper articles or media outlets will aid you in where the better/cheaper regions are.
7 Be willing to experiment
If you always go for the same region or country try something different. Try a New Zealand Pinot Noir for example. Ask the staff for the hottest new region in the store or the in-fashion grape variety in the wine world.
6 Try to Avoid Supermarkets
Try to avoid buying wine in Supermarkets and large chain retailers. Usually supermarkets and large chain retailers buy on price rather than taste, also with their buying power there is little spaces on their shelves for small interesting wine markers
We hope this helps you a little when out buying wine in the coming weeks.
