Choosing Your Wine Merchants
Purchasing wine isn’t just as simple as picking a bottle, taking it up to the counter and paying for it. To most avid wine drinkers, searching for the perfect bottle is an art form, and something to be taken very seriously. Which is why it is so important when choosing your wine merchants, that you make sure they meet up to your standards.
For starters, ask yourself a few questions. Does the store have a generous selection? Could you buy several different types of wine for several different occasions at the same place? Also, how knowledgeable is the staff? You will want to work with someone who knows what they are talking about. Remember that many people who work in wine and spirit shops often work on commission, and the last thing you want is to be sold mediocre wine at high prices.
Another tip is to ask the staff if the shop is climate-controlled. This greatly affects the quality of the wine you’ll be drinking, and it never hurts to make sure that the delivery trucks that bring in the stock are climate-controlled as well.
Also, wine merchants that have frequent tastings are great places to shop, because this opportunity allows you to taste the product before buying it. Many sellers have a mailing list for shop newsletters or a calendar posted in the shop that says what dates they have tastings. This can help greatly if you are a newbie at wine drinking also, as you might not have developed your own personal taste yet.
Most importantly, compare each merchant’s mark-up to its competition and see who is giving the best deals. Wine drinking and collecting can be a very expensive hobby, but it doesn’t have to be. If wine is something you are truly passionate about, you should definitely select a wine merchant who shares the same passion.
