5 Wine-Shopping Hacks You Need to Know
Welcome back to Bri Books! The holiday party season is in full-swing—don’t be shocked if you find yourself popping by wine shops frequently during this time of year! I designed this episode to teach you how to shop for wine very quickly, and how to make buying wine an enjoyable and effortless experience.
1:30: Check your local wine shops and follow them on Instagram + join their newsletters: This has been a game-changer for me. Whenever I explore a new neighborhood, looking up the local natural wine bars and wine shops helps me find my ‘crowd.’ Once you know which wine shops are within walking distance to you, follow their newsletters and social accounts. If they have TikTok, Pinterest, Facebook Groups, Instagram accounts, get plugged in there, so you’re the first to know about any new opportunities to buy or taste.
3:00: #2: Take a photo of your favorite bottle labels and file them away. I love to make Pinterest Pins or add them to Instagram Stories highlights for my own reference makes shopping for wine feel like I’m consulting my own personal wine library.
4:15: #3: Pick a budget and don’t budge it! Decide on your maximum spending and your expectations before you enter the wine shop. My personal wine shop rule of thumb when shopping for wine: 3 or 4 bottles for $50. That allows me to try different bottles ad various price points without breaking the bank. Alternatively, you can calculate the average price per bottle that you’re willing to pay. For me, I try to keep my purchases at $12-$15 per bottle.
6:45: #3: Consider what you’ll be eating, when you’re buying. If your weekly dinner menu consists of pasta, keep red wine on deck. If you eat poultry, veggies or fish, keep a neutral collection of wines like rose, pinot gris, and orange. Thinking about meal prep when buying wine is a great way to make sure you’re buying wine that you’ll drink and that goes with what you are eating. Bonus: This allows you to budget for wine in a natural and effortless way!
7:45: #4: Pick up a liter of wine in a varietal of your choice for top-value by both flavor and price! For example, I enjoy hearty foods that call for red wine. I recommend the Hand Work Tempranillo wine from Spain—it’s round and flavorful with a wooden, deep berry flavor. The flavor improves throughout the week, and it’s perfect for splashing into any pot roasts. I picked up the Hand Work 2021 Tempranillo imported by T. Edward Wines, available at Kings County Wines in Brooklyn, NY.
9:30: #5: Ask for and taste what’s new. Remember—wine is seasonal, just like food. When you pop into wine shops, it can be tempting to select the old reliable favorites. Every once in a while, challenge yourself by asking the wine shop team if they have any recommendations, any sleeper hits, or interesting bottles. Attending in-store tastings is a great way to experience and taste what’s new, and get to know the new distributors and winemakers that are entering the store. HACK: Join wine shop newsletters to be the first to know of any tastings!
5 Wine-Shopping Hacks You Need to Know Recap:
Follow your local wine shops on social media and join their email newsletters.
Take a photo of the wine labels you enjoy, and file them away in your phone
Pick a phone and don’t budge it
Consider what you’ll be eating wile drinking the wine, and shop accordingly
Ask for and taste what’s new—wine is seasonal, just like food
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