Buying Wine

Researching and locating certain wines that seem interesting or appealing can be an intimidating hurdle--especially for "beginners". When looking at the wine available on the market, even for a particular country, it can seem that there are simply thousands of possible choices each extolling their own wonders. However, there is no need to throw your hands up in despair. Take a few moments to think about what usually attracts you: Is it reds or whites? Light-bodied or full-bodied? Exceedingly dry or a little softer on the mouth? Once these basics are worked out, the decision about what to choose becomes a bit less of a daunting task and more of an enjoyable learning experience.

One of the first things to remember when buying wine is that your taste matters. You may have heard about the fabulous new Barolo that was released last month, but if tannic and penetrating red wines are not your style, then the point is irrelevant. Stick with what you like, even if it's not the wine du jour of critics.

When researching wines to buy, particularly on the internet, it is important to realize that merchants are trying to sell the product, causing them to embellish and add flowery adjectives to wine descriptions. Remind yourself that even if a Barolo is described as having perfumy aromas of dried cherries, and cherries are your favorite fruit, it may still have other properties that you do not like, such as high tannins. On the other hand, don't be afraid to try something new. Even if you are not pleasantly surprised by a spontaneous buy, it is just as valuable to know what you don't like as what you do. And if you do find something you really like, buy a lot of it. That way you won't be hiding the last bottle from your spouse and drinking it alone when he's late coming home from work. You'll probably get sick of it before it comes to that. Furthermore, there is often a 10-15% discount on wines purchased by the case.

The second thing to remember about wine buying is that more money does not always equal a better wine. Unless you have a lot of money to spend, it is entirely feasible to find decent, and even exceptional wines at prices under $20. Due in part to pressures in the market from such New World producers as Australia and Chile, many older and more classic wine countries, such as France and Italy, have been forced to lower prices and make wines more accessible to consumers. There are so many quality wines out on today's market, and the competition that exists is proving all the better for the bargain-hunting consumer. It is worth the extra time and trial-and-error process that goes with finding a wine that you like as opposed to spending too much money on something that may just be all hype.

Last but not least, be smart about researching wines to buy. Instead of consulting only one source on a particular wine, use the strategy of cross-referencing. Check the Internet, magazines, books, and even ask the opinion of the staff in the wine shop for varied opinions on the matter. And if at all possible, taste the wine before you buy it.

Happy shopping! Here are some informative questions to ask when selecting a wine:

* What does the wine taste like? (As simple as it sounds, it is a valid question.)
* What grape variety is it made from? (If it is not listed on the label) * What is the ideal age of the wine for drinking?
* How long will the wine keep?
* Where should I store the wine?
* Should it be chilled?
* Will it need to be decanted?
* Will the shape of the glass used affect the taste?
* What foods complement or detract from the wine, or is it best to drink it alone?