Wine is glorious, but it’s also a reminder that nothing stays the same. The best thing you can do is to develop your taste for different varietals and to source your purchases from undervalued regions. You should also try highly productive vintages and wines made from undervalued grapes.
3 Top Tips To Find Value-For-Money Wines
Generally speaking, there are three very important factors that you can live by when it comes to finding value-for-money vino:
- Undervalued regions: These are locations where land and labor are cheaper. Places that aren’t yet known for their vino will sell bottles at a good value
- Productive vintages: Always keep your ears on the ground about harvest information. If you hear anything about a record-breaker, you’ll know a surfeit of superb wines will hit the market
- Undervalued grapes: Very popular grape varieties are in demand and their prices reflect that. There are plenty of lesser-known grapes that present themselves as equal in taste profiles. These grapes may even be better and more refreshing at times
Where To Find The Most Valuable Wines
Varietals from popular regions like Napa Valley, Burgundy, and Bordeaux have become the go-to points of selections when purchasing wines. Buying an expensive bottle is your choice, but there’s much more to discover off the beaten path.
Top Locations To Source Valuable Wines From
- Yecla and Alicante, Spain: From this region, you can source delectable reds of cabernet sauvignon and a flavorsome regional variety, Monastrell
- Naoussa, Greece: The xinomavro variety from this region is strikingly similar to Barolo
- Patagonia, Argentina: The southern part of the Argentinian wine region is quite a standout. Sample this region’s chardonnay or pinot noir for a whole new taste experience
- Columbia Valley, Washington: This US state is basically the it-girl in high school right now but in an understated, cool way. It’s a great source for reds
- Roussillon, France: Bordering Spain, this region produces a superb Maury sec and a popping super value GSM blend
- Puglia, Italy: The Italians hardly fail to disappoint with vino. You might want to try out Primitivo di Manduria to set the tone for your value-for-money vino spree
- Villány, Hungary: Kékfrankos is a deep, rich, and flavorsome Bordeaux-like red that has seen blends with cabernet franc. It’s worth the try and worth the buck
- Douro Valley, Portugal: This is a region known for its excellent port. They have barrels of dry, inky, and mineral-rich reds that are waiting to be enjoyed
- Lodi, California: In this sprawling region, you’ll be able to get your hands on adventurous, smoky reds from vines that have been around for a very long time
- Bierzo, Spain: Mencía-based vino is a variety that deserves some time in the spotlight. It’s quintessentially European and worth your money
Which Grapes Make For The Most Valuable Wines?
Compared to cabernet sauvignon, the bobal grape is used in about 30 varietals. However, this isn’t because this grape is rare, it’s just that no-one has caught on to it yet.
There are so many grape varieties out there that’ll blow your palate away. After all, the whole point of wine culture is so that we can have the world on our tongues.
The Most Underrated, Yet Valuable Grapes
- Pinotage: This is South Africa’s pride and joy - a passionate dark grape filled with body and rich flavor
- Carignan: This grape has been around for almost half-a-century. Not much has been done to celebrate this underrated variety
- Touriga Nacional: Portugal does it again with an excellent red, which is very similar in personality to that of cabernet sauvignon
- Assyrtiko: This is a beautiful variety that creates a perfect companion for dinners or sunsets. Who needs chablis?
- Marsanne: Take a bit of chardonnay and blend that with viognier. What you’ll get is Marsanne
- Garganega: Otherwise known as soave. This is a peachy vino made to give you the best summer vibes. Its flavor is reminiscent of pinot-gris
Conclusion
We all want good deals on wines that actually taste great, and there’s no shame in that. However, we need to remember that vino is a limited resource. What you had last year might no longer be available.
Sourcing varietals from underrated and undervalued regions will help support the winemakers that are usually overlooked. Moreover, undervalued grape varieties offer the same experience for less.