I write a lot about my favorite picks for cheap (but awesome!) wines here on the blog — you can find some of my recent adulations here.
But what happens when you’re out at the store, faced down by that imposing wall of ambiguous-looking labels?
What if your favorite varietal is one I almost never drink? Or what if — heaven forfend — you don’t live anywhere near a Trader Joe’s?
How to Buy (Good) Cheap Wine
To help you find the best buy every single time, I put together this list of eight quick, easy tips to help you pick a bomb-ass bottle… even if your usual criteria is only the cuteness of the label. (Don’t worry, I’ve totally been there. #college)
This way, instead of remembering exact brands, vintners or varietals, you can just learn a few simple tricks that will give you the best possible odds of picking a great wine out of the anonymous bunch, no matter your price point.
For example, here’s one quick hint: Look for a bottle with more than one appellation. A wine from Lodi, California is likely better than one simply from “California,” all else being equal.
Not quite sure what an appellation is? Think this kind confusion is made much more palatable with an abundance of gifs?
Head over to The Penny Hoarder to read the full post.
And hey — if you’ve got any go-to insider tactics for scoping out a great bottle at any price tag, I want to hear ’em… so let me know!