Everyone deserves to drink good wine, but catching the first thing that catches our attention on the shelf can often lead to disappointment. Even though sometimes we want to visit a vineyard in the yarra valley, but if you are unable to it is good to know how to pick a good wine off the supermarket shelves. If you are a supermarket shopper who fills up their trolley with wine, then follow these simple tips and start your journey to choosing wine, which will make you a lot happier after working a long day.
Always read the back of the tag
We are all guilty of it; you find a wonderful label and before you have even glanced at the rest of the bottle it is in the trolley. Just because it has a nice image of a sheep wearing sunglasses or the tag is made of some fancy cloth you can’t name, does not mean it is going to taste as good as it seems. Slow down, turn that bottle around and take a look at the description on the back and the vineyard it is from. Wine is a very subjective matter and odds are you already have a general idea about what you like.
Make a note of those regions and grape varieties you like
Keep in mind that wine you had last week when you went outside for dinner with all the in-laws? You know, the dark, fruity, bold red everybody raved about during the main course? No, you do not. That is because you did not make a note of it, or if you did it is on that old receipt that got completely obliterated in the washing machine. Even though it was most likely a bottle of yarra valley wine, remember to jot the name and type down! Finally, ditch the newspaper and use the notes section on your smartphone or a wine program. When you are following at the supermarket, whip out your notes and search out something similar depending on the area and grape variety you like!
Do not fall for advertising spiel
Marketers use many different conditions in an attempt to drum up intrigue from customers, so always be in the know as to what terms are real and what might be bogus. While they may very well be great wines (and can sometimes be a number of better choices), you shouldn’t base your decision alone on viewing these words plastered across the jar.
The key supermarket sweetness symbols
Sounds like a small tongue twister does not it? Well, this can actually be really helpful for finding wines that hit your sweet/dry tolerance. Varieties such as Gewürztraminer and Riesling come in both really sweet and very dry forms, therefore it is important to know which end of the scale your wine drops at before you purchase.
Research the shelves outside eye level
It is no secret that manufacturers pay plenty of cash to be placed at eye level on the shelves. Whether we like to admit it or not, we are lazy and typically go for whatever seems best in easiest reach, particularly when it’s been a long and strenuous day. To avoid being scammed, explore the entire extent of what is available and make your choice based on what you really enjoy. Be sure to have a good gaze in the whole shelf space, from top to bottom and especially in areas where wines could be going undetected. That’s where you are most likely to find the hidden gems.
Do not fall for discounts
Just because a wine is reduced from $9 to $5 does not mean you ought to be hoarding as much as possible. Out of season discounts generally occur when inventory is not selling as well as planned. Are you the recipient of a fantastic deal or only some shoddy wine that was not shifting? If a wine you know and enjoy is on offer, by all means, catch as much as possible, but just be cautious and understand that a higher price tag does not necessarily mean a better wine, particularly when there’s a cost reduction involved.
