CHOOSE WINE like a critic!

The foolproof guide to picking a great drop – without spending a fortune

Buying the right wine can sometimes feel like a guessing game, especially if you’re struggling to find a last-minute pick before social gathering. But with a little bit of knowhow, you can shop like a wine buff in no time.

“Shopping for affordable wine shouldn’t feel like a game of roulette, and you can find some great tasting wines without breaking the bank,” says Rewild senior winemaker Tony Allen.

We’ve rounded up the experts to find out how to pick the right tipple!

DOES PRICE MATTER?

There are a lot of factors that go towards the price of a bottle, from the way the grapes are grown and harvested to whether they’ve been aged in oak barrels. But good wines don’t have to cost a lot.

“When looking for an affordable bottle I look towards youthful, juicy and fresh varietals,” advises Elenore Wulf, head sommelier at Sydney’s Aalia restaurant. She suggests trying out chilled reds like gamay and easy drinking wines like riesling, which both often taste great at affordable prices.

WHAT ABOUT THE REGION?

Elenore says regions can be a good indicator about the wine that you buy.

“Warmer climates will often produce bigger, riper and more fruit-driven styles while cooler climates often have higher acidity, are leaner and have crisper fruit,” she says.

Teresa Heuzenroeder, senior winemaker at Petaluma, says it’s also a good idea to research which regions have a good reputation for making your favourite varieties. For example, “The Adelaide Hills produces excellent chardonnay – a result of the altitude and cool climate,” she tells.

Petaluma White Label Chardonnay $27.99 danmurphys.com.au

IS VINTAGE BETTER?

It’s actually a myth that all wines taste better with age. Teresa says classic varieties like riesling, chardonnay, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon often age well, but crisp wines like sauvignon blanc are often at their best when they’re consumed within a couple of years. “If you like wines that are vibrant and fresh, drink now and enjoy, however if you

want more complexity and depth then hold onto them,” she suggests.

CORK OR SCREWTOP?

“Wines sealed under cork evolve in a different way as cork is a natural material, which is slightly porous and allows more oxygen exchange in the wine,” Teresa explains.

It’s also important to know that bottles with corks should be stored on their side while screwtop bottles can be kept horizontally or vertically. Wild Folk Natural Shiraz $26.62 organicwine.com.au