How to Choose Good Cheap Wine
Good, cheap wine might sound like an oxymoron. We often associate good wine as being more expensive and it certainly can be, but it doesn’t have to be. Ironically, sometimes the more expensive wine isn’t better in quality.
At the Fiscal Femme, we’re all about finding win-win situations where we save money while living better. This can certainly apply to wine. Whether you are looking to enjoy a nice glass of wine, impress friends, or save money, I have you covered. I spoke with sommelier and wine educator, Hillary Zio, who shared her best tips for choosing delicious, good cheap wine.
Look for lesser known grape varietals.
People like to buy what they know and that means more common grape varietals (or grape types) like Cabernet and Malbec are chosen a lot more frequently than a grape like Valdiguié. Because more common grape varietals are in higher demand, wine shops can charge a little more for them (even if the quality doesn’t measure up).
Wineries know they can’t charge too much for a grape that’s unknown to the general public and that gets reflected in the price. If you are open to trying new wines and expanding your palate, you can save you a lot of money when purchasing wine. It’s also a lot of fun to be more adventurous and try new wines.
Look outside your favorite wine regions.
Wine from certain wine regions cost more money. Many regions have production requirements that create consistently high quality wines with specific and sought after characteristics.
For example, you might love Barbaresco or Barolo wines (I do!). I know that when I purchase a wine from either region, I am in for a treat!
Barolo is a delicious wine produced in a small region inside of Piedmont, Italy and is made from the nebbiolo grape. Wine cannot be labelled Barolo unless it’s grown in that very small and specific region. Wine made right outside of the Barolo region is called Nebbiolo, after the grape it’s made from, even though it’s grown and produced in a very similar way to Barolo. If you buy a bottle of Nebbiolo, you’ll save $30 per bottle for a very similar experience.
Sancerre is a wine produced in a small region with the Loire Valley in France and is made from the sauvignon blanc grape. Similarly to Barolo, wine cannot be labelled Sancerre unless it’s grown in that very small and specific region. If you venture out and purchase Saugnignon Blanc from elsewhere in the Loire Valley, outside of Sancerre (like Touraine), you will save half hte cost and still get the same delicious qualities.
If you don’t have favorite wine regions already, enjoy exploring and trying new wines. Once you have an idea of what you like, look for the wines right outside those regions that carry a lower price tag but enjoy similar qualities.
Look for lesser known producers.
You don’t have to travel far to find lesser-known producers. Find a small, local wine shop near you and ask about their favorites. You can even call or search online for smaller producers. If you’re interested, ask if they carry woman-owned or Black-owned wines.
One of my favorite ways to learn about good cheap wine is through a site called Garagiste. You can subscribe to emails to learn about wine deals. Through this site, you’re purchasing directly from producers, so you’ll save a little by cutting out the middle person.
Drink organic.
This tip is more about making sure you are getting the “good” in the “good, cheap wine.” Cheap wine is easy to buy anywhere, but a lot of the big producers use chemicals in order to make the wine in bulk. Added sulfites and other chemicals contribute to headaches and hangovers. For the trained palate, they also greatly impact the taste of the wine. You’d be surprised what additives are allowed to be put into wines!
Instead of focusing on organic labels, which can be expensive to come by for small producers, just ask or research which producers are working organically or naturally. This ensures a certain level of quality in the wine.
Buy more wine!
When you find a wine you love, you can save money in the long run by purchasing a case (twelve bottles). In some stores, you can mix the bottles you get in your case.
Also, make sure to ask for bulk discounts or if there are any discounts being offered. Often, stores will want to move wine they’ve had trouble selling (which may be because it was from a lesser-known region or grape).
If you are having wine shipped, ordering more wine usually saves you money on delivery costs.
Get an extra glass per bottle.
This tip applies to a wine called Gruner Veltliner, and comes from another wine and spirits educator, Patrick Watson. Gruner Veltliner is a delicious white wine from Austria and for whatever reason (I’m sure there is a very specific and interesting reason), the bottles are larger than your typical wine bottle. Each bottle of Gruner usually has an extra glass.
If you were perusing wine in the store, you probably wouldn't even notice that the bottle is slightly bigger. But, it’s like getting a bonus glass of wine!
Understand what you like.
Most importantly, figure out what kinds of wine you enjoy. Good wine is really defined by the person enjoying it. If you don’t enjoy it, what’s the point in drinking it?
If you aren’t sure what types of wine you love or are ready to branch out of your Pinot Noir or Pinot Grigio rut, I have some very fun homework for you: try different kinds of wines.
Try wines from regions you haven’t heard of and grapes you are unfamiliar with. Find small producers who are passionate about their work. Take note if you really enjoy a wine you try. Look for other wines similar to what you are enjoying. Make it a point to try something new on a regular basis.
The more you know about your wine taste, the more you will be able to use these tips to find good, cheap wine. That means you’ll be drinking better wine (for you) without the expensive price tag. Cheers!