Buy cheap and best wine
May 26, 2008
Know what you like. If you are a sweet white wine drinker, don’t buy a cheap chardonnay that someone suggests. It’s not what you like, and you won’t like a less expensive version any more that those you have already tried. It is even more helpful if you can narrow down your likes by characteristics such as citrus or oak flavors.
Buy cheap and best wine Step1
Do your research. Magazines such as Wine Spectator put out lists of great wines under $20. Browse the list and see if any match up to what you like. Do a wine flight at dinner or a tasting at a local wine store. This is an inexpensive way to try and number of wines and gets some helpful information.
Buy cheap and best wine Step2
Go to stores that have wide selections. Trader Joe’s and World Market have huge wine selections and knowledgeable staff. They also have small cards with written descriptions in front of each wine.
Some important tips for buy cheap and best wine
Seek Out “Second Label” Wines
Just as upscale designer Vera Wang recently created a clothing line for mass retailer Kohl’s, many of the most-popular winemakers produce affordable “second label” wines. Talley Vineyards in California is best known for its Rosemary’s Vineyard wines but also produces several others under the name Bishop’s Peak, including a fine Syrah.
Even the celebrated winemakers of Bordeaux, France, do this with their surplus grapes. Their second labels are still pricey, but consider this: A 2006 bottle of Chateau Latour is $500; the second label, Les Forts de La Tour, costs $100. It’s the same recipe for a fifth of the price. Not exactly cheap, but a bottle of Bordeaux like this makes for a memorable gift or a wonderful way to toast a special occasion. Cheers!
Check Out More Obscure Varietals
Instead of trying to impress with Merlot, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir, pick wines made with less-popular grape varieties. The Nerello Mascalese varietal from Sicily is similar to Pinot Noir. One winery to look for is Di Giovanna. Merlot drinkers often like the Garnacha varietal from Spain, and the Garnacha de Fuego label is a sure bet. The Primitivo grape from Puglia, Italy, is a cousin of Zinfandel. You’ll wow dinner guests with a bottle from the Torre Quatro winery. Best of all, these can be had for less than $15 a bottle.
Look Into Up-and-Coming Wine Regions
Tuscany, Napa Valley and the Côte d’Or are the premier grape-growing regions of the world. Down the street from their gold coast neighbors lay lesser-known regions whose wines are a steal: Le Marche in Italy, the central coast of California and the Macon region in Burgundy, France.





























