Factors to Look for in Quality Wines

by Stephen John

Wine is known to be an acquired taste. It's an art and a skill to connoisseurs, an investment for collectors, a delicacy for wine drinkers, but a mystery to newbies. With so many makers, brands, and types of it nowadays, how can consumers know which would fare better than other? How would you differentiate from quality ones from substandard bottles? For experienced wine drinkers and connoisseurs, this is already familiar territory. For new explorers, here are some good tips to consider when looking for good quality wines in the market.

Quality with Age
The thing to understand when choosing wines is that some are better with age while some bottles are meant to be enjoyed once you have purchased them. And not all of them are great with age. You'll know if wine is good to drink by reading the label. On the label you can find the recommended bottling period so you'll know when is the best time to drink it, when it has matured and developed the ideal taste.

But of course, proper wine storage must be taken into consideration. If you store wine in unsuitable environment, taste and quality might be altered. If you're going to buy wine and let it age, make sure you know the proper environmental conditions for wine storage. In this way, you can retain the quality and value of wine.

Wine Region
Wines can differ in taste and quality if you factor in the climate and environmental conditions of the region where the grape was cultivated. For example, a Shiraz wine produced in the Northern wine regions of Australia differ from the Shiraz produced in the South of Australia. Wines from cooler regions have slightly different characteristics from wines from warmer regions. But popularity of the wine region can also be a factor in quality. For example, the Bordeaux region in France is a popular wine region because of their delicious and impressive wine production.

The difference between buying wine and buying any other commodity is that you have to take into consideration several aspects including price. You can easily buy beer based on brand or the advertisement you saw on television. But with wine, you will have to be informed about it more before buying. What differentiates experienced wine drinkers from inexperienced ones is the knowledge of the wine they're buying. Inexperienced consumers just buy based on familiarity of the brand while the more knowledgeable drinkers look closer at the labels to assess the value of the product.

Price
In every kind of product, quality comes with a higher price. Wine can be really expensive if you consider the high-quality brands. But there are good ones that are priced reasonably if you want to enjoy good quality wines at more affordable prices. You can perhaps set aside the more expensive wines for special occasions.
Knowing where to get bargain prices for quality wines will help you enjoy spending less for good value. Buying online will also be a good idea, what with cheaper prices made available by suppliers and retailers. You'll probably have the chance to buy the best Australian rose wine, for example, at a cheaper price online than in local stores. In this way, you'll enjoy wine drinking more, knowing you got it for less.

About the Author

Stephen John is a food and wine enthusiast. He blogs about food, wine, and culture and writes wine reviews for a living. He loves to travel and try exotic cuisines of different countries. He recommends www.winemarket.com.au for quality wines at bargain prices.