Many love a nice glass of Wednesday wine or two, but rare is the soul who knows how to choose a good mid-week drop that won’t tip the budget. While we’re led to believe that the heftier the price tag, the better the plonk, it’s genuinely not always the case. We looked to Yalumba Wines’ head winemaker, ‘Grand Master’ of the Barossa wine making fraternity Barons of Barossa, and Fellow of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology, Louisa Rose, for hints on choosing a good bottle shop wine. Brought to you by Yalumba Wines.
With so many different varieties, makers and regions, wine watching is a full time job and it can be tough to just casually navigate through a bottle shop and find exactly what you’re after. Louisa recommends stepping away from your old faithfuls when it comes to picking the perfect drop. “By being a bit adventurous there are some amazing discoveries to be made” she said. If you usually go for a shiraz, try a Beaujolais – if you like a sparkling try a Vouvray.
“The owners and staff in wine retail are usually very knowledgeable about what they are selling and are great sources of advice” Louisa told delicious. They spend a lot of time in-store with customers that like to chat, but also most independent bottle shops have tastings for their staff to get a taste of what they speak.
Legacy brands like Yalumba Wine have a great tool to help you navigate your way through their range. Their website allows you to select the perfect drop based on the collection, variety, occasion or food pairing to ensure you’re never pouring an unsuitable glass.
Don’t fall for the bottle with the prettiest front-facing label, Louisa advised. “Many wines have good advice on the labels about what the wines will taste like and what occasions they are suitable for,” she said.
Louisa recommends setting a budget, and not to assume expensive always means best. “There are really good wines at all price points, so stick to what you want to spend for the occasion” she said. There are also some pretty average wines with audacious prices, so it will really come down to research – and taste testing.
Louisa recommends thinking about the occasion before buying a bottle of wine. “If it is wine to go with food, is it going to be spicy food? If so varieties such as Viognier and Grenache are perfect, they also pair well with many of the Asian cuisines.” she said. “If you are having a BBQ, or Italian food, then you might look to more structured wines such as Chardonnay or Shiraz or Cabernet.”
The vast range of Yalumba Wines are equally delightful as they are well-priced. Unafraid to venture into the unknown, this Australian grown and made drop makes the perfect addition to any table. This gallery was brought to you by Yalumba Wines.
