Buying Wine
How you go about buying your wines can be as personal
a choice as the type of wine you choose. Some people
buy wine by the case. For most people this is not practical
or realistic. Most of us don't have a wine cellar, and
don't buy wines that need to age.
Places to Buy
Super Market or Liquor Store
For most everyday wines, buying ina liquor store or
supermarkt will be the easiest and cheapest option.
Tasting Room
A tasting room is the best place to go if you want
to taste a variety of wines before you buy. Tasting
Rooms are often run by very knowledgable and intersting
people that have a unique perspective on wine. The prices
will be higher, but you are paying for the experience.
Wineries
Going directly to a winery can be a fun way to buy
wine. The tours can add an educational element to your
buying experience. The small vineyards such as the ones
in Napa Valley offer the most personal service, where
you will often meet the person that grew the grapes
and made the wine.
Online
Selling wine online is now becoming easier as states
start to loosen their hold on the legal issues of shipping
wines across state lines.
Wine Buying Tips
- When you are at a restaurant or friends house and
you have a wine that you like, jot down the name and
year for future reference.
- The ratings cards that you often see on the racks
at the store are pretty accurate. Don't overlook them.
- If you notice that a wine is down to the last couple
bottles, it may be worth investigating further. They
may be selling out of it quickly because it is a great
wine!
- Soaking the labels off of the bottles and pasting
them in a book can be a great way to track your favorite
wines. Try giving them your own rating under the label.
- Subscribing to a wine magazine like The Wine
Spectator can be a real time saver.
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