For me, the most daunting aspect of choosing wine happens at the large liquor store. The large selection is so overwhelming that after spending several minutes (or more) browsing, Nate and I typically end up with the first bottle we find in our price range with the “prettiest” label. Surprised? I admit that we’re easily overwhelmed by the selection. Worse, we usually find that the staff is only slightly knowledgeable about the wine offered. Just like the customer, there is no way they could have tried all these wines. It feels like a game of roulette.
Fortunately, there has only been one bottle that we were ever extremely disappointed in, and we would never judge anyone who grabs a bottle “just to see” what it takes like. That’s part of the fun. But, because our goal is to help increase your confidence in choosing wine, here are a few tips on approaching the large liquor store for your wine purchase:
1. Read our post on ordering wine from a wine menu.
2. Explain your criteria to the staff on-hand. (Note that liquor stores normally organize their shelves by region, and if you want a specific varietal (grape), you may have to sift through the various regions to compare.)
3. Feel free to ask the staff whether a typical wine or brand is popular with customers.
4. Get comfortable reading labels. The easiest way if you don’t speak French, Italian, etc., is to ask the staff on hand to help you translate the label. Once we understood that “trocken” and “sekt” meant “dry” in German, we were much more confident in selecting Riesling wine, as we are fervent dry Riesling fans but avoid the sweeter Riesling wines at all costs.
5. Consider geographic temperatures. This is new for us, but we now know that California and Australian wines are probably more rich and “ripe” than the wines from France and Northern New York. Hotter year-round climates mean the grapes ripen quicker. Ripe fruit has its own taste, agreed? On the converse, cooler year-round climates mean a lighter, fresher taste.
6. Nothing lost by trying something new. So go for it!
Any tips to share with the readers? Post here.
Fortunately, there has only been one bottle that we were ever extremely disappointed in, and we would never judge anyone who grabs a bottle “just to see” what it takes like. That’s part of the fun. But, because our goal is to help increase your confidence in choosing wine, here are a few tips on approaching the large liquor store for your wine purchase:
1. Read our post on ordering wine from a wine menu.
2. Explain your criteria to the staff on-hand. (Note that liquor stores normally organize their shelves by region, and if you want a specific varietal (grape), you may have to sift through the various regions to compare.)
3. Feel free to ask the staff whether a typical wine or brand is popular with customers.
4. Get comfortable reading labels. The easiest way if you don’t speak French, Italian, etc., is to ask the staff on hand to help you translate the label. Once we understood that “trocken” and “sekt” meant “dry” in German, we were much more confident in selecting Riesling wine, as we are fervent dry Riesling fans but avoid the sweeter Riesling wines at all costs.
5. Consider geographic temperatures. This is new for us, but we now know that California and Australian wines are probably more rich and “ripe” than the wines from France and Northern New York. Hotter year-round climates mean the grapes ripen quicker. Ripe fruit has its own taste, agreed? On the converse, cooler year-round climates mean a lighter, fresher taste.
6. Nothing lost by trying something new. So go for it!
Any tips to share with the readers? Post here.
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