DISCOVER GREAT VALUE WINES

WINE & DINE

What is a value priced wine? There’s no simple answer to this question as we all have different interpretations of value. What we do know is that value does not necessarily mean the least expensive, but finding a wine that over-delivers for its price point.

Here are a few tips to help you discover a new favourite that delivers in both taste and affordability.

5 TIPS FOR FINDING GREAT VALUE WINES

1. Discover the Less Familiar There’s a lot of economics behind wine pricing. Historic wine regions such as Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy have always been in high demand. The price of their wines reflects this. Try a similar wine from a lesser-known region. If you like Champagne, try a Nova Scotia traditional method sparkling wine. If you like Bordeaux, try a Chilean Bordeaux Blend. If you like Burgundy, try a Southern French Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.

2. Not Currency surprising, Valuations currency plays a key role in pricing. Seek countries with great wines but weak currencies. South Africa is a great example. The value of the Rand is consistently low, which means the strength of our Canadian dollar goes along way in South Africa.

3. Warm Climate Reds Of course, growing conditions also play a key role in a winemaker’s ability to produce great wines at a great price. Winemakers tend to have the luxury of higher yields in warmer, sunny climates. This gives an advantage to winemakers in places like Australia, California, Argentina, Chile, Southern France, and Southern Italy for example to produce great red wine for less.

4. Take the Road Less Travelled Be willing to try a wine from a region that you may not have considered before. It’s in these less-travelled regions where you can find some of the best value wines of the world. Portugal and Spain are two countries that are currently over-delivering on the quality-to-price ratio.

5. New Varietals Be willing to get out of your varietal comfort zone. Use the NSLC Wine Discovery Guide to direct you to a new wine that shares a similar flavour profile to your favourites. If you like French Sauvignon Blanc or Chablis, try a Picpoul from Southern France. If you like Bold & Full Cabernets, then try an Aglianico from Southern Italy.