Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you have to skip the wine. We turned to Liza Zimmerman, principal of the wine education and consulting firm Liza the Wine Chick for some top tips for savvy wine buyers.
Liza has been writing, educating, and consulting about wine, cocktails and food for more than 15 years. She has published stories in such magazines such as Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits and The Magazine of La Cucina Italiana. She teaches the D.W.S. wine course at Copia, The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts, in Napa, California.
1. Go to as many tastings as possible at local wine shops and restaurants. For $5 or $10—or sometimes for free—you can often taste through a dozen wines.
2. Explore new countries and regions: they may be better values than well-known ones and can provide you with the opportunity to taste something totally unique. Most sommeliers have a favorite region that is off the beaten track, so take a chance and explore with them. Some of Liza’s picks? Mendoza, Argentina, Maipo and Casablanca, Chile, South Africa, Sicily, in France the Southern Rhone and Loire.
3. Remember that wine ratings aren’t the Holy Grail and you will pay more money for highly rated wines, the same way you will for the ad campaigns of nationally advertised wines. In comparison, lesser-known wines that aren’t national brands may be better values, plus you may get to impress your guests with a more esoteric wine selection.
4. In wine shops, let the clerk put together a mixed case for you at whatever price point works ($20 a bottle should get you some nice wines). Keep in mind that when ordering by the case you are also likely to get a case discount.
5. In restaurants, the least expensive wine on the list may be a great value and unfortunately people often shy away from purchasing it order not to seem like they are being cheap. The second most expensive bottle is usually the most ordered wine on the list as it is well priced but not the least expensive.
If you enjoyed these tips, you’ll learn even more at one of Liza’s classes. In San Francisco you’ll have an opportunity to comparatively taste wines from emerging regions at Le Trianon Gallery at 706 Sansome St. on April 17th from 6:30 to 9pm. Tickets are $50 for Northwestern alumni and $65 for guests and includes all the wine and food. RSVP here.
Liza will also be speaking on wine trends at the International Wine, Spirits & Beers Event at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. More information here.
——Amy Sherman
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