Wine appreciation is partially subjective and partially pragmatic. People have different preferences and tastes. However, several factors determine a wine's value beyond the taste and renown of the winemaker. We’ll help you learn how to navigate the many known and unknown wine labels and choose wines that are right for your palate and lifestyle.
What Factors Determine the Value of a Wine?
Several factors help determine the price charged for a bottle of wine. These factors may have nothing to do with the quality or taste of the wine; they’re real-world costs that are passed along to the consumer. They include such things as the region of the world that produced the wine. Some wines are more expensive simply because they come from a famous winemaking country.
As you would expect, materials, production costs, import tariffs, and marketing and branding costs contribute to the cost of wine. However, other factors might also be at play. A less-than-bountiful harvest one year in a vineyard known for its consistent quality can drive up the price as the winemaker has to cover costs from the off year.
Popularity is a factor in the price of wine. An unknown label that suddenly produces a superior-tasting bottle of wine will soon have cases of the vintage snapped up, and wine shops will raise the price solely due to its popularity.
Regional Differences
Old-world wines are produced in Europe and areas of the Mediterranean. They tend to be more expensive, as they are assumed to benefit from established vineyards, quality soil, and climates conducive to fine wine production.
New-world wines are any wine produced outside of Europe and the Mediterranean region. These are some of the world's most-watched and tasted wines, particularly labels grown in areas with the same soil and climate type as the old-world regions. They often provide a less expensive alternative to expensive old-world wines.
Cheap vs. Expensive Wines
In the world of wine, buying cheap wine doesn’t necessarily mean you’re buying bad wine and buying expensive wine doesn’t guarantee a decent-tasting bottle. There are plenty of outliers in both market segments.
There is a popular game among wine lovers. Everybody brings a bottle of the most inexpensive wine to a wine tasting, and the best-tasting bottle wins. This game underlines the fact that any winemaker can suddenly bottle the right combination of soil, grapes, and climate to create a superb vintage. However, doing it consistently is what sets the expensive labels apart.
Learning How to Read a Wine Label
The wine label is one of the best sources of information regarding the quality of the wine. However, the more you keep up on wine harvests globally and winemaking advancements, the better luck you’ll have when trying an unfamiliar brand.
Every wine label should have four vital pieces of information that help you make an informed decision before purchasing the wine. The information is:
The wine brand
The country or region of production
The variety of grapes used
The vintage
This information provides you with the wine's who, where, what, and when. Knowing which brands and varieties have superior vintages in different parts of the world provides you with additional knowledge on how to choose the best wine at a certain price point.
Tips on Finding Quality in Less Expensive Wines
Everyone wants to find that one bargain wine they feel confident recommending to all their friends. The best way to discover these types of labels and vintages is simply to look where others aren’t and be diligent in your research and buying habits. Knowing where to look and how to choose these wines involves:
Reading the labels
Avoiding wine made in expensive regions
Buying wine in bulk
Exploring underrated regions
Avoiding wine trends
Consulting with a trusted wine shop or merchant
Subscribing to wine periodicals, like Decanter or Wine Spectator
Learning about seasonal and promotional sales
Finding the best wine bargains can become a fun and rewarding hobby. The more you get out and start rubbing shoulders with other wine lovers, the more you’ll expand your knowledge about the world of wine.
Visit The Riddler Japanese Gastronomic Dining & Wine Bar
The Riddler Japanese Gastronomic Dining & Wine Bar in Bangkok is where wine lovers can congregate, enjoy exquisite Japanese cuisine, and sample some of over 200 labels of fine wines from all over the world. Our expert sommeliers can help you learn more about different types of wines and determine which wines provide the most value. Become wine-savvy and learn how to choose the best-value wines while enjoying delectable dishes at The Riddler. Book a table today.
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