Below are considerations which will influence your selection
and help guide you through the aisles so you can find
the right bottle for you.
Price Ranges
$5 to $10 simple, good-value wines
$10 to $20 more complex wines
$20 and up many exceptional wines are found in this category
First Things First
*Is the wine to be drunk right away or to save and age?
*Are you buying for a particular meal? Be sure the wine is
ready to drink right away. Check out a Bordeaux Vintage Chart for
more information and goes well with what is being served.
*Keep a few different bottles on hand-so you're ready with
wine for a dinner party or just to enjoy anytime.
*If you plan to buy bottles for aging, remember that generally
they should be laid on their side in a dark room with a steady
temperature around 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Extremes of temperature
and light damage wine.
*Buy a wine young and let it age. You can read about Bordeaux
in many newspapers and magazines. Watch for a good vintage
and purchase bottles when they are first released, and less
expensive, and lay them down in your cellar until they mature.
Further Suggestions
*Find a reputable wine merchant whose expertise, and prices,
you trust.
*Ask stores in your area for a list of Bordeaux they have
available with prices so that you can comparison-shop and
check newspaper ads.
*Surprise your guests by serving Bordeaux in unusual ways.
A sweet Bordeaux makes a sophisticated apéritif.
*Don't spend a lot of money on a fine wine to drink right
away if it hasn't reached its prime . Consult the Bordeaux
Vintage Chart to see if a wine is ready to be drunk.
*Don't hesitate to ask the advice of a salesperson. One smart
trick: Have a price range and variety in mind and then ask
which is the best bottle for your money.
Article © 2002-2006, Bordeaux.com.
All rights reserved.
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