The digital era rapidly changed viticulture. Yes, the sudden shift into online sales affected your favourite Chardonnay or Shiraz vintage, and forever changed the way we buy a bottle of wine.
This presented a unique problem for those of who like to sample the vintage before purchasing: the convenience of being able to buy exactly when you wanted to was an exciting advancement, but how do you know that anything outside of what you already know and love will actually be any good?
The conundrum continues, but buying top shelf wine online doesn’t have to have its roots stuck in the sampling days, and you can purchase an amazing bottle without having to go to the bottle-O or the vineyard itself.
Here are some tips on how to buy the perfect bottle from the tips of your fingers:
1. Make sure you’re dealing with a reputable supplier
You can trust that a reputable supplier will always have the best options and at decent prices. Of course, a top quality, reliable distributor will stock stunning vintages that you can trust will fit your flavour palette, whether it’s a Champagne, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or something completely different.
It’s important to do a little research into the company before you go buying wine from them. The first (and best) place to start? Checking their Google reviews, of course! Do a quick Google search on the online store, checking to see how other customers’ experiences have been in purchasing vintages from them.
Have they had quality experiences? Are they happy to return for their regular purchases? Did they find that the team was helpful in fulfilling their requests? Look out for information regarding these factors and you should be able to find out what you need to know about the supplier!
2. Ask the supplier for help
At the end of the day, you know exactly what you like. If it’s an earthy Shiraz stemming straight from the Barossa or a delightful Riesling out of the Clare Valley, you know what you like and you know how to find a vintage that is reminiscent of your favourite (if you are looking to try something new and not one of your classics!).
So, all you have to do is ask your new supplier for assistance. Tell them exactly what kind of vino you like, its taste profile, where it usually comes from etc. Your supplier should have a working knowledge of viticulture and be more than happy to help you find the perfect drop to suit your requirements.
They will talk you through their varieties and which one is most suitable for your needs, ensuring you have plenty of options to try after a discerning decision.
3. Don’t be afraid to try something new
After all, if you can’t make it in your favourite viticulture region then you may have to buy world class wine online (if you don’t want to head to the bottle shop!). Thankfully, this is an opportunity to try new and exciting vintages that you may have otherwise skipped on if you were unable to get to their vineyard or to sample it at a local bottle shop or wine store.
Have a think about the different options at your disposal: what peaks your interest? What sounds a little out of the ordinary, but may be something you just might love to try?
The choice is yours and the result should most likely be gorgeous!
