How to BUY WINE like a MASTER!

[@davidcostello7320]

To quote my wife from last night “Stop experimenting with all these strange wines. Just buy the wine I like.” You are going to get me in trouble, Konstantin. 😅

[@lusciouslou250272159]

Lol she may say that now, but wait until you bring home her new favourite.

[@punkrockwino164]

If you keep drinking the same wine, you don't learn anything. To me, wine is about the experience and while my New Year Resolution is to start taking maticulous notes, for the past 10 years I've just been remembering wines and my mental notes of them like I would with people that I have met. The label is their face and the liquid inside is the personality.

[@ethanchurchill5]

My partner and I play a game anytime we go to the wine shop where we set criteria about country/region, price cap, etc. and give ourselves 10-15 minutes to buy a bottle for each other. We choose different criteria every time and it's a fun way to try new or obscure things we may not otherwise select. We wind up with some hits and some misses, but it's always a good way to force yourself to branch out!

[@justinaubin2592]

This was a fun tasting. I have been burned by supermarket wines before, so I always hit the local wine shop instead even for the cheaper stuff. I know they are less likely to carry stuff they dont like.

[@RCTricking]

Yeah my local store does not miss! But if I’m visiting my parents and want to grab something for dinner, I don’t want to go to an extra stop 😂

[@Soldano999]

You might be surprised what supermarkets have to offer. There is always some hidden gem or a wine that shouldn't be there. I bought a few bottles of chateau haut pontet st emilion grand cru for the fraction of the price today just because nobody in that store knew about wine. If they did it would have sold out the first day.

[@vegasrenie]

It depends. For instance, there's an Albertson's in Paso Robles that has wines from nearly every AVA/sub-AVA in the Central Coast of California. It supports the locals! And the wines (and beers, distilled spirits, etc.) are in every price range. Third and Niblick in Paso to Central Coast fans!

[@IHaveATinyWilly]

I'm currently undertaking WSET Diploma, and I absolutely love these down to earth tastings from you! Your knowledge is exceptional and a joy to watch, keep going!!

[@frederickheard2022]

I’m glad the Sauv Blanc didn’t age you into dust.

[@renearestrup6099]

I think it's good advice to go for lower classified wines from well known quality producers. There are some bargains to be had. One of my favourite budget reds is an entry level cab./shiraz from Penfolds. It's only around 12 EUR and I think it's a good example of true value.

[@hhallengren]

If you're in a wine producing region a majority of wine in the supermarket will be local/regional (here it's like 70-80%) - when I still used to explore the local wine scene through the supermarket I usually looked for two things; 1. Places with just a few bottles left on the shelf - the best ones usually goes first so if there's just a few bottles left it's usually a indication that it's something good. 2. Wines with the most shelf space - the store usually get more of the popular local wines and also give them more shelf space due to local popularity. There not always the best but they're usually a pretty safe bet.

[@bryce5203]

Speaking of Spanish wines, Rias Baixas is one of the best value-for-quality whites imo, along with Austrian Gruner and Touraine Sauv

[@michielkroeskamp7996]

In regard to QOTD; wines from regions that may have collected a bad rep over time and as a result became ‘unpopulair’, but thanks to new energy and a tenacious focus on quality, are producing outstanding wines for the modest €/$/£ requested in return, e.g. Muscadet, Anjou, Beaujolais, etc. That ‘on the up-energy’ is somehow transmissible through the glass and makes a person do cartwheels of joy!

[@babyvaso3855]

I recently subscribed and you became my ritual channel to view everyday after work and honestly these are the videos I enjoy the most. I'm far more pumped for wines I can actually afford 😅

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Thank you 🙏

[@christopherdunderdale7238]

Advice to anyone buying South African wine overseas. If it has the "Big 5" on it (elephant/lion/buffalo/leopard/rhino) or some generic African theme stay faaaaar away from it as it's normally not great wine. Lots of great value for money wine out there from South Africa!

[@olwethusilo7155]

😂😂😂

[@williamrobinson7435]

A very handy guide.. This is the kind of thing that appeals to everyone, I mean you don't have to be interested in viticulture as such, you just have to be someone who drinks wine and doesn't want to get ripped off.. I think the main thing is to REMEMBER what you got where, and build a knowledge through experience. Nice one Konstantin! ⭐👍

[@barath4545]

How I buy wine (25 yrs enthusiast), - I spend 70% of my money on tastings as atm I can't host for guests and I rarily drink good wine alone. - But when I did, I still go to lots of tastings so I can basically "ignore talk and labels" and just find the good stuff and buy that. - Of tasted wines I buy maybe 5% of the good ones, based on stuff I like and areas I know fit guests too. - I like Argentina/Chile and mature red Bx and Champagnes and Corpinat Cava - So I buy that mostly - and the mature stuff is from auctions with good lots and prices.

[@pablocortinas360]

Zela costs 18 euros in Spain. Both decantalo and vinnisimus (hispavinus) send to Germany and have it at that price.

[@barath4545]

1:29 DRC Vosne-Romanee and Echezeaux was once that entry wine sadly, but prices exploded in the last 20 yrs. I was offered a DRC case, whole case mixed of 1995, in 2001 for around 2000 euros - Thats how cheap they used to be - La Tache was 300 euro a bottle.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

And people thought that was expensive back then

[@stavroslazarou6434]

Great video, as always! Thank you again for producing it. My conclusion: If there is chance Konstantin picks a super market wine that is not good, I shouldn’t feel too guilty when it happens to me..

[@martinmichalek]

These are some great picks. I like that you note that the collector ≠ the drinker in every situation; drinkability is also dependent upon price, and we can't always open trophy wines whenever we need to pair a dish. The >£20 bottle matters!

[@Blue28485]

Thanks for another fun video! In the US, I pay a lot of attention to importers when I don’t know - Kermit Lynch, Skurnik, or Weigandt come to mind. I also trust certain smaller high quality regions. Pic saint loup or Priorat never gave me bad experiences thus far.

[@cameron1004]

It would be cool to see you in the supermarket actually making the choices! But great video, thanks Konstantin!

[@RicardoRomão-f7m]

Portuguese wines are always a good price/quality value. Most producers in my country (Portugal) i know something about them and their styles/profile of wine, when it comes to international wines, i am more risk taker

[@elfblood9127]

Thanks for the help in picking out wines. I am somewhat 'wine-discernment challenged' and can use all the help I can get.

[@jsclipse]

I am really enjoying the Temparnillo Rioja Reserva 2016 from Campo Viejo. (I am not sponsored). Great value for money.

[@francescostellittano2006]

Many times I use the same techniques of big producer, but sometimes I choose the best vintage of wine. You cannot mistake if you choose big vintage like in France, for example, 2015, 2016. For example :) great video

[@heidiruckno8492]

I live in Pennsylvania, USA. For value wines, I always go for "Chairman's Selection" wines at my local liquor store. I can find really decent wines in those offerings between $10 and $15 US,

[@simonpeters1178]

Good to see the false bay in there. Here in sa it retails for around 4-5euro and for 8 euro you will get a big step up. Thanks for a great video. I look forward to seeing you in cape town soon

[@tarawalker7193]

I love you quoting one of my favorite movies! This was an insightful episode.

[@oxvaldus]

Coastal Sauvignon Blanc from Chile can be delicious, Matetic Limited edition and Casa Marin Nro 2 are some examples, Undurraga Limarí T.H Sauvignon Blanc is another one, all of them around the same price than the Cordillera from Miguel Torres (the Vigno Old Vine Carignan from Miguel Torres cordillera is great though). Thanks for sharing master.

[@angusmcmillan8981]

General advice in UK… all the major supermarkets have really good buyers with at least one MW and because of their financial clout buy from producers at good prices which they pass on. If you have an interested and interesting independent retailer locally, latch onto him/ her. And these never fail… White from Alsace - Trimbach basic Riesling. Red: Côtes du Rhône from Guigal.

[@giak7525]

Aglianico is the most underrated red wine in the world.

[@Ildskalli]

Oof! Baga, plavac mali, negramoll, petit verdot, nerello mascalese, xinomavro and quite a few others would like to have a word with you...

[@stanleovart]

@@Ildskalli agree - aglianico, xinomavro and may be saperavi are not so strongly known in compare to super wines which they may give you!

[@bbmcgee33]

Ahh ecco! The Italian has entered the room…

[@rossouwheyns5002]

South Africa has very high quality wines and a wide variety of terroir. I would highly recommend visiting

[@richardcollins586]

Rebel Rebal Syrah from Stellenbosch is lovely, had that a couple of weekends ago.

[@gtdriver7423]

My favourite " Stony Brook Vineyards Syrah Reserve " from Franschhoek

[@Ildskalli]

He can't, that would break canon, since Konstantin is known for being weak regarding SA wines🤣

[@gtdriver7423]

👍🤣@@Ildskalli

[@georgeliapis47]

Great video once again Konstantin - here in Portugal it’s common for wines that cost ±10-20 EUR to be found heavily discounted at the supermarkets (from 2 to 9 EUR), and I often choose some to try; they’re not ‘the best of the bunch’, but they definitely have a VFM rate that makes them pretty nice bargains.

[@welshtoro3256]

Absolutely agree about buying the entry stuff from top producers. It's usually excellent and a great deal of thought gone in to it. Top Spanish bodegas usually deliver the goods.

[@johnmcalester5165]

We sell Whispering Angel to the yummy mummy's who lap it up. When I tell them of an equally good rose at half the price they're not interested because a social influencer hasn't recommended it to them. This wine is imported into the UK by Moet Hennessy which should give you a clue on the marketing price strategy.

[@gilejoksimovic3168]

This one is pure gold Konstantin!

[@nickkowal6537]

Yes. This is a great concept!

[@jacobdegregoris9946]

Chardonnay from Piedmont wasn't on my radar. Thanks for broadening my horizons!

[@ramboyadas]

When I'm buying, I usually tend to match the grape variety with the region (typical, right?). Then I make some sort of mind selection and discard the common names if I'm into trying to drink new things. And now I take my moment to flag you about Portuguese wines, or the lack of them on your channel... :-) Thank you for another great content.

[@BatCaveOz]

On a recent trip in Melbourne, Australia... I was exploring niche wines. A hobo told me that he had access to a great Sauvignon Blanc. After disappearing behind a dumpster for a while... the hobo presented me with a frothy glass of "Sauvignon Blanc". I rated it 43/100.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

🤣

[@frossato]

It sounds greatly controversial, but I also use Vivino.

[@torbenfrlund5964]

Thanks for another good video, and now that you have admitted, it must be time for a dedicated video about Spanish wines :)

[@stanleovart]

Konstantin, can you please make some observational video about types of wine tops? I mean about cork, screw cups, about plastic, about glass stopper (i know good italian wines with such glass tops, about artificial corks (like DIAM)? It would be interesting to know your opinion about all in one place, however you tell us about that often, but now summary we have as one. THanks! Also there might be about glass of bottles, why sometimes bottles of even TOP wines are colorless.

[@ClementGreen]

The most important thing is the year in my experience, except for wines which don't have a year!

[@tom25sawyer]

Nice video, especially because I always look for new wines (most of the times riesling) in my region to drink as many different wines as possible. I usually only look for VDP logos, since I don't really get smarter by looking at the label :D but know I have a good idea from the video, thanks. Also what do you think of Dreissigacker and Weedenborn? And how do you rate Sylvaner from Rheinhessen, like from Keller and newcomers like Bastian Beny and how do they compare to a silvaner from Franken, like Zenthof Luckert? :)

[@elfblood9127]

Most of my income goes to paying for my daughter's education so I always have to go 'cheap' on wine. This video was helpful. Thanks.

[@jqoconnor]

I find importers whose selections I almost always enjoy, and regions that I have noticed that I like, and work the sales associate on the floor, if there is one, for his or her knowledge of those things to start out. Eventually you learn whether you like the sales persons' palate, then experiment with your choices a bit, even when you know what you like!

[@solomonmengeu1003]

I loved the Sean Connery accent and humour, 😄. All of these tips about finding great QPR wines are good ones. I avoid buying wines from the big brand/mega producers; not all celebrity wines are bad. But you have to read up on them and be informed if they are any good or not. Another tip would be to buy wines from new & upcoming and/or re-emerging regions. Example would be Greece, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus countries, or lesser know regions from the classic countries e.g. Cahors, Listrac, Saint-- Emilion adjacent appellations, Loire, Bierzo, Terra Alta, Alto Adige, Abruzzo, Campania, Rheinhessen, Baden, etc. Another useful strategy is to buy when wines are on sale or there is special promotion. I usually buy a big percentage of our wines twice a year, usually in March/April and then October/November. As that's when the two big supermarkets with a good wine selection bring in new wines, or put the wines you have been wanting to buy at reduced prices. That Langhe Chardonnay was interesting, as was the False Bay Syrah. So far South African Syrah/Shiraz has left me disappointed, but that could be due to the market I am in and it's expectations/requirements.

[@mrlowe7538]

Love this, would be nice to see a full Spanish wines review, I’m moving to Spain in June so would be nice to give me some of your insight:) Have a good evening!

[@cryptoescu]

I had older vintages of Sav Blanc from NZ and they didn’t disappoint, most probably because they had some time in oak barrels.

[@DoraTheodoridou-od8di]

Please,can you do a video about Greek wines? Thank you!!

[@chemepharmd76]

Cool video! Kinda how I pick wines at the grocery store...and with similar mixed results.

[@RCTricking]

Very good point about the big brand wines! they get to charge more because they’re reliable, but if you’re a real nerd you can find better price:quality ratio 🙏🏻 I have the same opinion about Veuve Cliquot Champagne. I can get vintage Blanc de Blancs for the price of the VC Non-Vintage

[@VektrumSimulacrum]

My advice is to have a check list and stick to it. #1 does it have a vintage? #2 can you find it on a map? #3 do they talk about the area and weather conditions? #4 Did the master vintner put there name somewhere on it? #5 do they say anything about what or how they made the wine? If they put any of that on the label it's a good sign imo. ** I recently came across a Nero d'Avola/ Syrah blend. It was on the budget shelf but I thought it was good. Nero d'Avola is few and far between in the states. Is it seen more often over in the EU? I really like the example I stumbled across.

[@TheDesertWineGuy]

I just bought the 2015 Edulis, Gran Reserva, Rioja the other day and I would highly recommend it if you get the chance to enjoy it.

[@nickolausj123]

You said that some of the best Syrahs are affordable. I would like to hear your thoughts on wines from the northern Rhone.

[@SethKBaldwin]

My generic advice is any named town from the Southern Rhone. (Gigondas, Vacqueras, Lirac, Montrimail, Cairanne etc.) Not a guarantee of course, but they drink well young, have good balance, go well with almost any food and are easy to enjoy.

[@arigden9394]

Thanks for tasting these with us.

[@ivanchambers5670]

Absolute brilliant always your videos thank you

[@bor4oborisov]

Practical tips. Thanks. Please give a tip finding top producers. How one can find out which producer has good product?

[@emmanuelpolar6510]

I think that is really cool that you taste one of the wines that we sell in my work here in barcelona, i've always seen the sela as an option but now i will taste it by myself, in my opinion one of the riojas that i like the most is called ramon bilbao reserva.

[@johnd0e25]

Very good takeaways from this tasting!

[@fingersfinesilver]

I very much appreciated the "I have chosen WISELY" and enjoyed the video very much. I will also look out for that Rioja. I don't (as a rule) buy at the supermarket - my local Vietnamese shops have better (and cheaper - for some reason). This is a Prague/Czech specific thing, I think that there are large Vietnamese wine importers bringing large quantities of lower- end wines into the SAPA wholesale market. (recommending 365 Primitivo) For higher end wines the other specialist wine shops import directly (and are my friends :D). I did get a nice supermarket Barolo once though from Kaufland. It was on special at 20 Euros.

[@alexm7310]

Excellent! Just ordered the Sela 🍷😊

[@ryanhayes2178]

Love the use of the word “quaffable!”

[@psychotropicalresearch5653]

I like trying to guess what your points score is going to be after listening to your description. I am usually very close. I think that is a kind of validation of the points scoring system because it usually gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect. Also, when that is augmented by some well chosen words, without being too over the top, one finishes up with a good impression of what to expect

[@czemp85]

Bodegas Roda is good visited them last Summer

[@Tmikelito111]

Chateu Blagnac , Lidl 8gbp pure bargain , recommended superb wine . Bought the case .

[@Tmikelito111]

It is not the first echelon of Bordeaux but worth that money for sure .

[@dipburo]

Regarding White wines from Italy, please try aged Timorasso! Banger!!

[@brookegrinstead]

I drink Whispering Angel chilled in summer, here in Florida, wouldn't be wearing a long sleeve shirt. I have enjoyed a few vintages. Also I buy at about 17.4 euro equivalent. Thanks to Total Wine Store in the states. What do you suggest as better? Keep up the great videos!

[@danielemdalashkanian1890]

Well done! Great video and so educating Konstantin! 👍👍👍 very wisely indeed ♥️😂

[@punkrockwino164]

In my market, 1 EU = $2 CDN basically. I AM going to pick up that 2022 Pio Cesare L’Altro Lange Chardonnay today however as I NEED to experience that! I also would have picked the Chinon just because it says Chinon and I know it's going to be Cab Franc! The one thing I DO like about plastic corks are how easy they are to get out of the bottle... but yeah, just use a screw cap instead. Do you think that aging on a plastic cork would lead to microplastics in the wine and is that also a possibility from a screw cap? Regardless, another great video!

[@Thatwinebloke]

I go through the bargain bin when I shop if there are varieties and then the shelves.

[@LoccoEl]

Guess best tip is try to buy local stuff (if possible) and avoid buying cheap famous regions just by a label in a supermarket. Some 6-10€ Bordeaux? Well in that case choose sth less "famous" like a Cotes du Rhone (e.g. Guigal if it must be a known producer). All over available, will not blow your head but you know what you will get while not wasting your money.

[@arnonym113]

Great topic, but what I got from this is that you just have to try, there is no way around it. The matching scale of Vivino is usually helpful for me. Price is my first indicator though, so I do not go below 10 EUR and stick to the 10-15 EUR range for more affordable picks and 15-20 if I want to be sure the wine is really good.

[@gtdriver7423]

I'm sorry, but " I do not go below 10EUR" sounds a little bit snooty for me. My present bargain for every day red wine is a Nero di Troia from Puglia (had it in a highly rated Wine Bar) and found it for less than 6EUR per bottle in a wholesale and my white wine for every day is a Verdejo from Rueda (Quentin Tarantino) for less than 5EUR discount price per bottle. OK, If I need something special, then I'll take something special (Aalto-Ribeiro del Duero, Castillio Ygay-Rioja, Chateau Montrose-Bordeaux .........) 😉

[@PCRoss2469]

If the Sav Blanc was aged in barrels wouldn't it be a Fume Blanc ? How can we send you some wine to try ? I think my #1 tip would be buy 5 safe bottles based on experience, producer , grape variety and 1 experimental bottle based on "gut feel"

[@issiport5978]

Hey Konstanin. Was wondering if you could make a video on kosher wines. It would be awesome to know whats good out there that also kosher and i can drink! Thanks!

[@yc9298]

Very insightful. Where would you say is the best place to find more information about the production (for example like you did for the Chilean Sauvignon blanc)?

[@stroopwafel6141]

I think the better supermarkets offer some decent wines. Sometimes I buy there Villebois Sauvignon Touraine, Fritz & Frieda DAC Grüner Veltliner and Penfolds Koonunga Hill. All pleasant well made wines. I agree to look at the entry wines from good producers, especially German Rieslings from Nahe, Rheinhessen and Pfalz. But also the southern Rhône offers bang for the bucks. Also look at interesting, for a many people, new wineregions like Calatayud (if you like garnacha), Bierzo and Mencia in Spain. Soave Classico, Friuli and Campania for white wines in Italy. Look at the Rosso's instead of Brunello di Montalcino or Sagrantino di Montefalco. And not to forget the new world, with Chili and partly Argentina (malbec) offering great value for money. Sorry, I got carried away a little. ))

[@davebroad642]

Post pandemic there was a bit of supply chain aging. With less than celubrious results!

[@andreasnaunin2181]

My supermarket don‘t sell Roda but Knipser Cuvee X

[@Mr.LiquidUniverse]

Even a MASTER chooses "poorly" people! Remember, batting .366 is legendary! Keep up the AMAZING work my friend! "Whop Allah" 🤣

[@berghiasl]

I dont get it, you are very excited about the false bay wine and giving it 88 points, while the wine before was disappointing and "only" gets 87 points... so whats the difference?

[@longmuskox4194]

Raiders of the Lost Ark references was pretty cool!

[@robertthrossell4321]

Brilliant.. Love the Indianna Jones link 😂

[@wadewitbooi163]

You know what you have to do...SOUTH AFRICA TRIP!! 🎉

[@chrisnewton9788]

What a helpful video, love it thank you

[@annaralas6998]

try Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro Rosae 2022, Ribera del Duero, 100% Temperanillo

[@Erlendfotball99]

Don’t forget that Domaine du Coulet makes amazing wines and uses plastic corks. Even though they are modified to their liking, they still are made of plastic.

[@Erlendfotball99]

I don’t know if it is plastic, but I know they use something synthetic

[@typerightseesight]

should you go to the same spot daily or buy enough for the week? I always get stuck cuz im always at the grocers.

[@thomasbahr2806]

I think you can get some amazing bargains for example in Germany if you look for some producers where the next generation took over, most of these guys are very well educated and want to build a reputation based on high quality wines at a resonable price point (e.g. Jakob Schneider, Martin Müllen, Thomas Düringer, Stefan Müller). Another alternative is cooperatives which have some higher quality wines in their portfolio (e.g. Cave de Ribeauville from Alsace or WG Bickensohl). You can identify the interesting ones by looking into contest results (like Deutscher Rotweinpreis) or some tasters which give helpfull scores you seem to align with (for me for example I tend to like James Sucklings wines with 91+ points although I tend to score them lower). Using this strategy I found some really amazing price quality bargains.

[@AchillesMajor]

In Ontario, wines in supermarkets are often cheaper quality & a tad scary. BRIGHT lights, poor storage. We are stuck with a government run monopoly called LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) to purchase top quality wines at all price ranges, but compared to other countries (and often other provinces) the prices are often moderately to wildly marked up. Being only 1-1.5 hours from the US border you might say 'why not hop the border & buy your good wines there for less?' but alas the government has figured this out & we're only allowed to bring back 2 bottles per person.

[@bbmcgee33]

😯

[@AmosCader]

Great content bro

[@bluejesper]

You are spot on re the Whispering Angel :-)

[@stanleovart]

1:50 - Well Rotschilds are not doing there basic wines like Mouton Cadet as smth very good. They are average

[@andrewyarosh1809]

Someday someone will get a microphone in the face of the winemaker of something like Whispering Angel and ask them, “Why do you use such heavy bottles and a cork for a wine that is meant to be drunk young and is sold in supermarkets?”

[@bradbellomo6896]

At such a low price point, the screw cap does matter. It is cheaper than a cork, and besides the real value (since you are paying for the bottle, retail and marketing) it is also as sign the wine maker is intelligent and marketing the wine towards thrifty people.

[@desu76]

What do you do with the left over wine?

[@gabrielmoratto9702]

Have you ever tasted Zavial 2015 Syrah from Obidos Portugal? if not, i Recommend.

[@vaporizer1000]

It is a short plastic cork At least now i know how I can choose wines in the shop.🤣

[@vaporizer1000]

So most likely is not cork important but condition of wine storing. Temperature is most of a problem... But it is just my opinion.

[@Yeoldelole]

GO KONSTANTINE GO!

[@SuperJulesM]

Hi Konstantin, does the fact that the 2th Wines have a better quality price ratio, also goes for the 2th Wines from the Bordeaux crus classés?

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

They usually are in a very different price category. Especially the top end is usually too expensive compared to the overall market