Are you sick and tired of buying a bottle of wine at the store that is okay? I know I am.
Every time I walk into a wine shop, even if it’s to buy other things, I always end up walking out with a great bottle of wine because there are so many amazing ones out there! It’s possible to walk in and walk out with a fantastic bottle of wine EVERY SINGLE TIME without fail.
Here’s how:
My local wine store has some great people who work for them. If they see me coming in one day and don’t have much time to talk or don’t like talking at all, they will still make an effort to get me a good bottle of wine. They are not pushy or anything, but they know what kinds of wines I like and then pick out one that is similar for me.
I always look for stores with people who work there that I can build a rapport with because they will recommend wines to me every single time without fail. If you don’t have this luxury at your local store, stick around until you can chat with someone enough until they start to recognize you and get an idea about what kinds of wines you like!
When you go in next time, ask them if they’ve tried any new ones recently that are great? It’s just one that works well for getting into conversations with all kinds of people.
This is the easiest thing to do, but I know it can get stale sometimes; by this, I mean buying wines you know are good because they’ve never let you down before!
Sometimes I like to try something new, like trying one type of Chianti, for example (there are many different types after all), but if you aren’t sure what you want, then stick to the basics that usually don’t steer you wrong.
There’s nothing wrong with asking for advice when buying wine because there’s no such thing as a stupid question. I always go to the wine store and ask for advice from someone who knows more than me; they can make suggestions and guide you in the right direction without ever making you feel like you’re bothering them!
Asking advice from your friends is great too, but if they don’t know much about wine, it’s not fair to them to ask their opinion because that’s almost like asking for free help.
This tip I love because it doesn’t cost much and allows you to try something new every time! If all else fails, stick with this rule: buy wines by the glass so that you can try something tasty without having to invest any money in purchasing a whole bottle of it. If you like it, go ahead and buy one (or even an entire case if you can’t get enough of it).
The great thing about this tip is that it’s always changing; if you love something new that came into the store, then at least you know for sure that no matter what someone else might bring in later, you’ll like it if your tried-and-true bottle was by the glass.
If all else fails… take a sip! I know this sounds silly, but there are so many wines out there at every price point sometimes just taking a little sip here and there throughout your day isn’t such a bad idea after all
You can never go wrong with bringing your bottle of wine to a party- especially if it’s something great that you know everyone will love. If you’re going to someone else’s house for dinner, bring a decent bottle of wine you think they might like, not the cheap stuff unless that’s what they are serving up.
There are even times when I would bring my bottle because I knew it was better than anything else that the host had in store; sometimes this gets me an extra special treat at the end of the night because I’m pretty sure people usually switch to my wine once they’ve tried mine! Don’t be afraid to step up to the plate and bring your best bottle because there is nothing worse than showing up to a party, and everyone is drinking nasty wine!
I’m sorry, but I just can’t get behind the idea of canned wine. The only time I think this is okay to drink is if you’re on a beach or by a pool because it’s more convenient & definitely not as classy as bringing glass bottles with you… especially when there are so many other great kinds out there now! Save those single-serve wines for your picnics and cookouts, not for an elegant dinner party.
One day you might love only Chardonnays, then, later on that year, you find a Pinot Noir that blows your mind. Your tastes are evolving all the time, so don’t feel like you have to drink a certain wine or brand for the rest of your life.
If you’ve been drinking white Zinfandels and love them, then more power to you, but if one day, as a matter of fact, your palate decides it’s no longer into those after tasting something new, then don’t be afraid to switch things up! It’s all part of finding what works best for your taste buds- just give it time because soon enough, you’ll find out that there is no limit to wines that will open up doors to other opportunities!)
Like I said before, it’s all about trial & error. Just because someone told you that they don’t care for Pinot Grigios doesn’t mean that you won’t either! A few years ago, I would have never tried anything outside of a Chardonnay, but after one taste of a Pinot Gris, I was hooked, and now my mind is open to trying lots of other wines too.
If your wine shop owner(s) are smart, then they’ll know what works best for their customers’ palate, but even if they aren’t, then just remember that it’s on you to try something new, nothing ventured, nothing gained!.
Don’t forget to write down the ones that work best for you so that you always have a reliable go-to list of wines that please your palate. If it’s a new find you want to keep on hand at all times, then buy a few bottles, but if not, just write down which ones sound the most appealing so that next time you’re lucky enough to spot them again!
Wine is meant to be enjoyed, so don’t worry about being wrong when choosing a bottle of wine! There are so many wines out there that it can sometimes get overwhelming, but never forget that it’s all about what you like. If you go with something new and end up loving it, then buy lots of bottles- if not, write down which ones sounded the best & try them again another time around.
