Photo by Hernán Santarelli from Pexels

7 Ways to save money on good wine

Wine is a classy beverage, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. A $20 Crémant can be just as good as a $100 Champagne. You may be looking for good wine that’s even cheaper if you’re on a tight budget, and the good news is you can find it, like at Big Hill Winery.

But what makes a particular wine “good?” That’s subjective. You might think of something light and fruity, while someone else might prefer a bold wine high in tannins.

Whatever the case, the tips below will help you save money on your favourite beverage, even if you opt for high-quality wines.

7 Tips to help you save money on good wine

bundle2 3f38d776 0d7e 43b0 a858 519749efea96 960x

JACKSON FAMILY WINES

ULTIMATE CALIFORNIA WINE & CHEESE COLLECTION

US$155.

Buy Now

Buy wine by the case

It’s always cheaper to buy wine by the case. Nearly every winery offers various cases of wine, and many typically throw in a discount.

You can even get a wine club subscription at many wineries in the UK. That way, you can get a mixed case of wine every month, or season, and discover a whole new world of delectable grape varieties from different wine regions.

You can typically choose from three, four, six, or twelve bottles per case. A twelve-bottle case can even cost significantly less than a single bottle of, say, Château Cheval Blanc from Saint-Émilion Grand Cru in the Bordeaux region.

Want to save even more money? Consider splitting your wine club membership with a fellow oenophile.

ACCADEMIA

ACCADEMIA RAINBOW PACK

Accademia Rainbow is a collection of 6 bottles of Prosecco DOC Brut inspired by colourful Venetian artistic expressions. The carton includes 6 bottles in the following colours: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.

US$120.

Buy Now

Use a cashback site

Cashback sites are brilliant for saving money. When you purchase good wine through a cashback website, your chosen retailer will send a percentage of the transaction amount back to your account. How convenient!

You may not be able to transfer the cashback to your credit card immediately, as most websites impose a minimum withdrawal limit. But if you consume wine regularly (hopefully, in moderation), your rewards will stack up in no time.

The cashback percentage depends on the website and its agreement with partner retailers. Conduct thorough research to find a reliable site that offers the most favourable deals and collaborates with your preferred retailers.

Remember that you can join many cashback sites for free, while others require a sign-up fee.

LOUIS ROEDERER

CRISTAL VINTAGE

Silky, delicate, and ethereal, Cristal reveals itself as a genuine force of life, an invitation to pleasure, all the while combining great depth and crystalline purity.

US$325.

Buy Now

Look for sales and discounts

Just because a particular wine is on sale doesn’t mean its quality is anything less than perfect.

Many department stores and wine shops discount their wines or put them on sale when they need to make room for new vintages or brands. That means you can purchase exceptional wines at a fraction of the cost!

Still, take the time to read the label to ensure you buy a quality product. More importantly, compare the prices with other retailers (including online) because a sale doesn’t necessarily equal a better deal. It’s often a strategy to increase sales without reducing the price.

DOM PERIGNON

DOM PÉRIGNON P2 2002

Dom Pérignon is pleased to unveil Dom Pérignon P2 2002, the second expression of this vintage. Presence and relevance reveal a wine of 17 years of maturation.

US$560.00

Buy Now

Order a bottle when dining out

A glass of good wine at a restaurant will cost you close to what the establishment paid for the entire bottle.

That’s because restaurants use specific markups over wholesale prices to make money. What’s more, many people order only one or two glasses of wine, so restaurants end up with numerous half-drunk bottles. That means a lot of wasted wine and money.

So, next time you’re dining out, opt for a bottle instead of a glass. Most restaurants will gladly cork it up for you to take home if you don’t finish it.

Vegan Mixed Case – Veganuary Special

Sparkling Wine:

Josep Masachs – La Mitica Cava Reserva Brut Rosé [Conca de Barbera – Spain]

White Wine:

Bauer Pöltl – Piri Gemischter Satz 20′ [Burgenland – Austria]
Weingut Feth – Chardonnay 19′ [Rheinhessen – Germany]

Red Wine:

Bauer Pöltl – Blaufräkisch 19′ [Burgenland – Austria]
Weingut Feth – Pinot Noir 19′ [Rheinhessen – Germany]
Château de la Roulerie – Le P’tit Cab 20′ [Loire Valley – France]

Normal Price ~~£89.95~~

Sale Price £69.95/US$94.98

Buy Now

Purchase from lesser-known wine regions

Wines from famous wine regions have a heftier price tag because their popularity drives up the prices. That doesn’t mean their lesser-known counterparts are of poor quality. That’s the case with any product since it’s all about supply and demand.

So, when looking to save money on good wine, think of Spain, Argentina, Chile, Australia, and South Africa.

For instance, look for high-quality Bordeaux alternatives in Virginia, Lebanon, and South Africa’s Stellenbosch region. Australia’s Victoria region, New York’s Finger Lakes, and Oregon’s Willamette Valley are ideal for Chardonnay grape varieties.

If you prefer Pinot Noir, opt for Germany or France’s Alsace region. The latter is also a perfect choice for sparkling wines, along with South Africa, Spain’s Penedès, and northern Italy.

The Alsace wine region is where you’ll find some of the most savoury Crémant wines. Crémant is the go-to bubbly for frugal consumers as it can cost several times less than Champagne. It’s produced using the same method, so its flavour profile is often very similar.

Schieferkopf Gewurztraminer 2016

Gewurztraminer from Alsace, France

Winemaker Notes

Light yellow with green tints, the 2016 Schieferkopf Gewurztraminer shows aromas of fruit (lychee, etc.) and rose, with some lighter notes of citrus (lemon, grapefruit). This sharp, dry wine is supple and forthright on entry to the palate. Nice balance of acidity and a finish with notes of lychees and citrus.

This Alsatian grape variety has been highly successful in Germany in recent years. Its spicy character will be best appreciated with cheeses or a meat curry.

Buy Now

Look at wine ratings

Wine ratings can skyrocket wine prices. So, another way to save money is to select underrated or non-rated wines. Just because the critics ignore them, it doesn’t mean you should. Many are mouth-watering and more than worthy of your attention.

Make notes

If you like discovering new wine flavours and aromas, make notes whenever you try something new. That way, you’ll always pick an apt bottle for your quality standards since you’ll know what to look for and what to avoid. It might take some trial and error, but you’ll lock in on the flavours that awaken your palate.

As a result, you won’t let marketing tactics and sales strategies lure you into something you might not find enjoyable. You’ll save more money by buying only what your taste buds find suitable.

Conclusion

You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy fine wine. If you follow the tips above, you’ll open up a whole new world of high-quality wines available at a fraction of the cost. Cheers!

___________________________________________