There are plenty of places to purchase your wine, so much so that it can sometimes be overwhelming. So, with so much choice, how do you shop confidently, knowing the bottle you purchase is one you’ll love? This is why heading to a wine store can be a great option for convenience and good prices and to get great recommendations. So, I’ve partnered with Sense of Taste to help you get the most out of your visit with 5 tips for shopping at a wine store.
1. Shop at a specialty wine store
There are so many stores where you can buy wine that it can be hard to know where to start. But shopping at a specialty wine store like Sense of Taste can help you choose a wine you love. They tend to have a larger selection of wines when they specialise in this over other beverages, which gives you more choices of producers, regions, and price points. These stores often stock local and smaller wineries that aren’t usually stocked in larger, commercial stores. They usually also have a great range of wines from local and international wineries, giving you plenty of choice no matter your taste. I was pleasantly surprised to head into Sense of Taste and find a great range of Californian Chardonnay, which can be difficult to source in Australia.
2. Know what you’re buying for
I love browsing wines in a store, but it can quickly get overwhelming if you’re unsure what you’re after. You can also buy more than you need (although there’s nothing wrong with heading home with a few extra bottles in my book).
To help with this, you can ask the following questions:
- What occasion am I buying for?
- What am I cooking for dinner?
- Am I aging the wine or looking for something to drink right now?
- Am I after a particular category of wine, for example, sparkling or red wine?
- Who am I buying for, and what are their likes and dislikes?
- How many bottles do I need?
Having these things in mind and keeping your purpose for heading to the store at the top of your mind helps hone your search. It also makes it easier to ask the experts for help if you know what you’re after.
3. Know your budget
This tip might seem like a no-brainer, but knowing what you want to spend going in is really important. Not only does this help prevent you from overspending, but it also helps narrow down your search. If you don’t know what you want to spend, you have the pick of the whole bottle store, and in a wine specialty store like Sense of Taste, you have a lot of options to choose from! Knowing your budget will help you hone in on the wines in your price range, so you’re choosing from a smaller selection. And just because you have a budget doesn’t mean you can’t get great wines! Sense of Taste has a good selection of wines that are high quality whilst still being affordable.
4. Don’t be afraid to try something new
The beauty of going to a wine store is that you have many different wines. So don’t be afraid to explore something you have never tried before. Whether it is a different variety, region or producer, you can discover it all in one place. Trying new wines can help to expand your palate, so it’s great to explore something you’ve never tried before. The benefit of going to a store like Sense of Taste that specialises in wine is that their staff are knowledgeable and can help recommend these wines to you. So put your faith in them, and who knows? You might find your new favourite!
5. Ask for help when you need it
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you visit the wine store. The staff are there to help you find something you love, and at a specialty wine store, they have the knowledge to back it up. You can explain what you’re buying for, your budget, and your likes and dislikes, and they’ll surely find something you love. Sense of Taste also has a tasting panel where the staff can taste wines blind and rate them, so you can also use this tool to find wines they recommend even when the brands are unknown.
In summary: 5 tips for shopping at a wine store
Whether you are looking for a bottle to pair with dinner or the perfect gift, shopping at a wine store is the perfect way to find the perfect wine. And I hope these 5 tips for shopping at a wine store help you get the most out of your visit. Just remember: there’s no harm in coming out of the wine store with more than one bottle!
About Sense of Taste
Sense of Taste has 7 boutique stores across Brisbane, as well as being available online. They stock wine, spirits, and beer, offering a wide range of products and local delivery. Their stores offer a boutique experience with local and international wines, with experts on hand recommending wines you’ll love. Sense of Taste offers same day delivery for Brisbane residents, Australia-wide shipping and click and collect.
Sense of Taste also has some great deals for online and in-store customers:
- In-store Offer: Buy 6, Get a 7th Free – Buy any 6 bottles of your preferred wine and you’ll get a bonus bottle free.
- Online Offer: Buy 6+ Bottles and get 15% off or buy 4+ Bottles and get 10% Off (excluding already discounted items).
Use code CHEEKYVINO for 10% off your order online at Sense of Taste. Excludes already discounted items and bundles. The offer ends June 18th, 2024.