How do I know if I can trust a wine recommendation? Well, in some ways it might be like taking advice on a used car. The exterior looks fine, but you’re really paying for what’s inside. You want to know that it will be reliable; that you will enjoy it and maybe even that your friends will be impressed with it.
First, consider the source. Whether the recommendation is in a restaurant or a wine shop, you will have to assess the level of experience behind the recommendation. Is the sommelier or sales clerk spouting something right off the label or just relying on its “points” to promote the wine? Or, has the recommendation come from a personal tasting experience, possibly even a visit to the winery? To find the wait staff or sales clerk who is truly passionate about wine, expect them to light up like the Fourth of July when asked for a recommendation. If their response is only tepid, don’t be afraid to ask for a wine that “knocked their socks off” in the same price range, with the same varietals or from the same region.
Second, consider the price. Value-priced wines tend to be mass market products; i.e. they have national distribution and are produced each year with a fairly consistent though often monochromatic flavor profile. You’ll get reliability with these wines but probably not much else. But, with that said, don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations for a new “everyday wine”. When you step away from the wines with multi-million dollar ad campaigns, you might find some incredible and unexpected values.
If you are interested in spending, just for example, $20 or more for a bottle, expect a recommendation that elaborates on the flavor profile, the oak characteristics if any and the producer’s style – new world versus old world, fruity versus earthy, et cetera. If you plan on spending more than $50 for a bottle, be sure to express what you have enjoyed in other wines or if the wine is a gift. This will help the sommelier “zero in” on your palate preferences or any special occasion to find the best selection.
Finally, consider the return policy. If you are in a retail store with good selection and sales volume, expect a generous return policy. Low-volume retailers may not have the same allowances from their distributors and so their policies may be more stringent, if they are able to accept returns at all. As a footnote, some states have regulations on the return of alcohol products and these will affect store policy.
Salute!
-Steve
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