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| The
Basic | Where To Buy? | Buying
Tips |
The Basics For Buyers
The identity of a wine is dependent on a few fundamentals:
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The type of grape from which it was
made (the grape variety)
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The place where it was produced (the region)
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The company or person who made the wine (the producer)
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The year in which the grapes were harvested (the vintage)
The Grape Variety
The grapes are the principal ingredients of every wine and the aroma,
colour and flavour of the wine are largely dependent on the type of
grape or grapes from which it was made.
Usually, certain grape varieties are used to make red wines and others
are used to make white wines. The classic red varieties include cabernet
sauvignon, shiraz/syrah, merlot and pinot noir. Among the most popular
white varieties are chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, riesling and Semillon.
The Region
In Europe (the "Old World") wines are generally known by
the place where they were made rather than their grape variety. Most
wines from regions in the so-called "New World" (that is
outside of Europe), such as California, Australia, South Africa, New
Zealand and Chile are marketed and sold as varietals. So, despite
the fact that many European wines are made from the same grapes as
those in the New World, the bottles will read Burgundy or Rioja rather
than Pinot Noir or Tempranillo.
The Producer
The name of the winery -the producer- is perhaps the most important
piece of information on the label. It is far more important than the
name of the region or the year of vintage because it is your greatest
guarantee of quality. A good producer will make a decent wine even
in a poor year, whereas a poor producer could make disappointing wine
even in a good year.
The Vintage
The year in which the grapes for a wine are harvested is known as
the vintage. The taste, texture, complexity and overall quality of
a wine can vary from one year to the next, depending on the weather,
when the grapes were harvested and so on. These variations are quite
marked in wine regions that have an irregular climate such as Burgundy
and Bordeaux in France, Germany, Piedmont in northern Italy and New
Zealand. In these areas, wine can range from "poor vintages"
when the quality is generally disappointing, through to "great
vintages" years in which outstanding wine was produced. In warm,
sunny areas, however such as California, most of Australia, South
Africa and Spain, there is more consistency from year to year and
thus vintage dates become less important as indicators of quality.
Where To Buy?
Independent/specialty-wine merchants
For quality and service, these remain the best places to buy wines.
Many of them are also importers and seek out wines of excellent quality
and good value - some specialize in wines of particular countries.
The staff tend to be well trained and are good sources of advice.
Prices, however, tend to be slightly higher than in a supermarket
and can vary greatly.
Supermarkets
These are good places to buy wines for everyday drinking. Expect
minimal advice, and delivery is more the exception than the rule.
Avoid supermarkets for very expensive wines, as prices are rarely
competitive and selection will be limited. Check bottles carefully
before buying as some stores do not take storage seriously.
Wine warehouses and superstores
Because most warehouses and superstores buy in bulk, they tend
to carry wines made in large quantities and of moderate quality. If
you choose to buy your wine here, you will usually enjoy a large selection
and at an affordable price.
Buying from Home
There are several good reasons for making a purchase from the
comfort of your home :delivery is usually included as part of the
service, so you don't have to worry about lifting heavy cases of wines;
it can enable you to get hold of wine that you can't find locally;
it saves time; and it allows you to shop around for competitive prices.
You can buy through wine clubs, internet or phone / fax.
Buying Tips
- Avoid bottles that are stored upright and are covered in dust.
Wines should be stored on their on their sides, but for display
purposes they are often kept upright. This will do no harm in the
short term, but if a bottle gathers dust for months, the cork, deprived
of contact with the wine, may dry out and the wine will oxidize.
- Reject bottles that are sticky. This can be an indication of damage
caused by changes in temperature.
- Do not choose wine with a protruding cork. This is usually a sign
that the wine has been exposed to harmful changes in temperature,
forcing the cork out of the bottle.
- Avoid wine that is displayed directly under artificial lights,
or in the sun, both of which can heat and damage the wine.
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