Buying Wine

Ready to buy some wine but not sure where to start? You’ve come to the right place!

Start with a reputable wine shop that stores their wines out of direct sunlight and heat, and where the facility and the bottles are clean. The Staff should be knowledgeable about the wines they are offering. The wine should be organized for easy reference. Typical layouts include:

• Traditionally, by Geographical Source: American, French, Italian, Spanish, South American, etc.

• Some display their wines by the type of grape, or varietal.

• More recently, wines are sorted “progressively”, from lighter white wines to heavier white wines; lighter reds to heavier reds; and perhaps a section for Rose’s, or pink wines, and even perhaps a section for sparkling wines, aerated, like champagnes.

• Grocery stores occasionally market wines alongside the foods that they might pair well with.

But buy from those that know wines, those that enjoy wines themselves. Rely on the Staff for guidance. Share with them wines you find you do like. Tell them your budget or price range for this purchase. Tell them why you are buying this wine: for a seafood dinner for four, for an afternoon chicken salad picnic for two, quaffing among friends around a conversation fire pit or a pairing with a good steak. Start with your local wine shop.

To find a specific wine, you could use an online tool such as www.Wine-Searcher.com