SMART DRINKING

Choosing a good wine that is cellar-worthy or even one you fancy drinking today is no easy task, which is why a little forethought can go a long way. These selections are also great for early imbibing or storing for a few years.

We help you choose a wine to drink now ... or to cellar for later.

Smart drinking is all about finding and selecting wines that will last in the cellar for several months or can be for early drinking if you change your mind and just want to open and try today. The best way to do this is to decide on a favourite variety or style, then upgrade your spending by eight to 20 dollars and see what is on offer. Yes – price can determine quality. If you can try to avoid the fancy labels, heavy bottles and any award stickers first, read the back label of any bottle selected and discover what the winemaker or producer has to say.

If you like what you read and the retail staff support your decision – honestly – then I suggest you buy two bottles. The typical reaction to wines of this quality is drinking the first in less than a week and hoping to find time to get another bottle soon after, only to find they’ve all gone.

If there’s too much information about which foods the wine works best with and less about how it is made, or it does not describe the style well, then perhaps opt for a quick internet search on the producer and see if that delivers a clearer message.

In the end, if you’re not convinced the wine is of sufficient quality for the spend, then select another for comparison. If you are keen on a wine because of the packaging and price, then your selection is perfect for you. The wine selections this month tick all the boxes of examples that are cellar-worthy for several months and into a couple of years, represent excellent value for the price, and also deliver exceptional early drinking if you prefer.