Let me set the scene for you. It’s Friday night and you’re getting ready to go to a dinner party with friends. You’re halfway out the door when you receive this text message: SOS — wine levels dangerously low, do you think you could swing past the bottle shop on your way over?! Ever the team player, you promptly reply that you’re on the job.

Running a little late, you pull up to the bottle-o on a mission to pick out a great bottle of wine in record time. But there’s just one problem — you have no idea what you’re looking for. You wander back and forth between the aisles, running your eyes over a sea of wine bottles. Do you want something oaky, tannic, bright, or earthy? Do you pick based on price, description, vintage, origin, or the attractiveness of the label? With so much to consider, it’s no wonder you stumble out of the shop feeling depleted. To avoid a similar experience, keep the following tips in mind next time you need to buy a bottle.

Price. Steer clear of the ultra-cheap stuff, but don’t assume that price is synonymous with quality. I’ve tasted some über-expensive wines that were only so-so, and more than my fair share of $20 bottles that were mind-blowingly brilliant. With so many independent wineries popping up all the time, quality wine at an affordable price point is abundant.

Find a boutique wine shop/ importer/ seller that speaks to your taste. While it’s hard to look past the discounts and the convenience that comes with shopping at big chain stores, the experience will most likely leave you simultaneously over- and underwhelmed. Overwhelmed by the masses of product to choose from — inevitably leading to decision fatigue. And underwhelmed by the bottle of run-of-the-mill Shiraz that you will inevitably pluck from the shelves in defeat 30 minutes later. Smaller wine shops tend to cater to different niches. If you’ve struck gold while shopping at a particular wine-seller before — chances are they will have more gems in-stock awaiting discovery.
Look for a specific wine region on the label. Naming a specific wine region — Riverland, Marlborough, Napa Valley — indicates a baseline level of quality, as it suggests the winemakers value the concepts of terroir and provenance.
Don’t get hung up on a wine’s age. Popular culture has hyped up the importance of age leading many to believe that an older wine is always better than a younger wine. The truth is many wines are designed to be enjoyed young — particularly whites, rosés and lighter reds.

Take a chance on something new. As you browse the shelves, perhaps a funky label or an interesting tasting note will catch your eye. Why not take a chance on it? Worst case scenario: you hate it, but you’ve learned something new about your preferences. Best case scenario — the risk pays off and you’ve found your new favourite wine!

Cheers,
Alexandra Douglas
and the Witches Falls
Winery Team