A good wine does not have to be expensive. I actually should not be.
I’m from a wine country and even when we have to import grapes from abroad, a reasonable to good wine parks around €3 to €5, for a 750ml bottle. A very good wine will fetch prices on the €8 to €10 price range, €12 if some reserve.
Above that, you’re buying fluff.
I laugh when someone tells me they bought some collectible wine as an investment. Sure.
A good wine does not have to be expensive. I actually should not be.
The expensive ones usually don’t live up to the name anymore, it’s just branding. Mechanized harvest (because big game) pulls in bad berries, leaves and insects too, makig the taste worse, not unlike the cheap wines. You’re likely to have a better experience with a local small winery.
As someone that lives in a wine country and has been trying a different bottle every week(at least) for the past 4 years, I can promise you that there’s good stuff above 12€ as well.
I’ve had tons of 3-10€ bottles and quite a few above 10 as well. Sure, there’s diminishing returns, as with everything, but there’s more than just fluff. Provided you buy quality and not just a name or stuff that’s overpriced just because.
Obviously if you’re expecting a 30€ bottle to be twice as good as a 10€ one you’re gonna have a bad time. But for a special occasion, splurging a bit on something a bit better is a real option.
There is but I don’t think it’s worth the expense, even for a special occasion. I’d rather dive into more accessible wine and let guests discover a good wine for an affordable price than to pay more and risk passing an image that I’m trying to impress at all costs.
I agree completely. By special occasion I mostly meant stuff between me and my wife, honestly. Eventually a good friend, or my dad or something like that.
Found a bottle at 10€ that I consider the best value/money and that’s my go to when trying to show people good but not too expensive wine.
A good wine does not have to be expensive. I actually should not be.
Hard agree, price is a feature. My favourite wines are generally Chilean or Argentinian for less than €10 a bottle, and they are out of this world as far as flavour is concerned.
I own a few bottles of very old wine, that were gifted to me. Besides sentimental value, the bottles are worthless. But wine can be produced in order to be able to age in the bottle. I’ve seen wines, commercially available, capable of being stored and aged for up to 10 years. And as a kid, I visited a vineyard that had sealed barrels aging for more than 80 years. So, it is possible to age a wine and age it well but above all else wine is made to be enjoyed.
A good wine does not have to be expensive. I actually should not be.
I’m from a wine country and even when we have to import grapes from abroad, a reasonable to good wine parks around €3 to €5, for a 750ml bottle. A very good wine will fetch prices on the €8 to €10 price range, €12 if some reserve.
Above that, you’re buying fluff.
I laugh when someone tells me they bought some collectible wine as an investment. Sure.
The expensive ones usually don’t live up to the name anymore, it’s just branding. Mechanized harvest (because big game) pulls in bad berries, leaves and insects too, makig the taste worse, not unlike the cheap wines. You’re likely to have a better experience with a local small winery.
You’re preaching to the choir.
I live in wine country and even the big wineries here still do the harvest (vindima) by hand.
I said “usually”. Good if they do.
That sensitive of a palate is worth good money.
As someone that lives in a wine country and has been trying a different bottle every week(at least) for the past 4 years, I can promise you that there’s good stuff above 12€ as well.
I’ve had tons of 3-10€ bottles and quite a few above 10 as well. Sure, there’s diminishing returns, as with everything, but there’s more than just fluff. Provided you buy quality and not just a name or stuff that’s overpriced just because.
Obviously if you’re expecting a 30€ bottle to be twice as good as a 10€ one you’re gonna have a bad time. But for a special occasion, splurging a bit on something a bit better is a real option.
I would expect the 30 € bottle to be thrice as good as a 10 € bottle.
Is that just a wine thing or an everything thing?
There is but I don’t think it’s worth the expense, even for a special occasion. I’d rather dive into more accessible wine and let guests discover a good wine for an affordable price than to pay more and risk passing an image that I’m trying to impress at all costs.
I agree completely. By special occasion I mostly meant stuff between me and my wife, honestly. Eventually a good friend, or my dad or something like that.
Found a bottle at 10€ that I consider the best value/money and that’s my go to when trying to show people good but not too expensive wine.
Hard agree, price is a feature. My favourite wines are generally Chilean or Argentinian for less than €10 a bottle, and they are out of this world as far as flavour is concerned.
Next, try Portugal.
I believe I already have, but I’ll make sure to give it a more intentional try next time I buy wine. Cheers!
Buying wine as an investment sounds like a good way to end up with a bunch of really expensive vinegar
I own a few bottles of very old wine, that were gifted to me. Besides sentimental value, the bottles are worthless. But wine can be produced in order to be able to age in the bottle. I’ve seen wines, commercially available, capable of being stored and aged for up to 10 years. And as a kid, I visited a vineyard that had sealed barrels aging for more than 80 years. So, it is possible to age a wine and age it well but above all else wine is made to be enjoyed.