Want to find the perfect bottle of wine? Ask these questions first

There’s one weird difference between red and white wine drinkers. Read More...

You are what you drink.

White-wine drinkers tend to spend around $3 less per bottle than red-wine drinkers, who spend an average of $40 per bottle versus the $37 that white-wine drinkers spend, according to a survey by OnePoll on behalf of Coravin, a Massachusetts-based company that makes gadgets for drinking wine, surveyed more than 2,000 Americans aged 21 and up on their personality traits.

Nearly half (45%) of red-wine drinkers considered themselves wine aficionados compared to 31% of white-wine drinkers.

One theory why the latter group spend more: Nearly half of red-wine drinkers (45%) considered themselves “wine aficionados” compared to 31% of white-wine drinkers. And red-wine drinkers also showed they knew slightly more about wine in a series of follow-up questions compared to white-wine lovers, according to Coravin, which obviously has a vested interest in people buying wine.

But are these knowledgeable, free-spending red-wine drinkers really getting more out of their wine experience?

Spending more money on wine doesn’t always mean you’re getting the best bottle.

A $6 bottle of red wine (St. Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon 2016) sold at Coles supermarkets in Melbourne, Australia earned the coveted “double gold” medal from a panel of sommeliers, retail buyers and distributors, beating out more than 1,000 wine submissions around the globe in a blind taste test in 2017 at the Melbourne International Wine Competition.

An $8 bottle of Exquisite Collection Cotes de Provence Rosé earned a silver medal at the International Wine Challenge (considered the Oscars of winemaking) in May 2017, proving that cheap wine can be fine wine.

A separate study from the Journal of Wine Economics did a blind tasting of more than 6,000 wines to see if there was a correlation between price and overall rating and found that people typically weren’t even able to tell if the wine they were drinking was expensive and if it was, they actually liked it less.

“For every extroverted white-wine drinking customer there is an equally verbose red-wine drinker and vice versa.’

“Individuals [without wine training] on average enjoy more expensive wines slightly less. For individuals with wine training, however, we find indications of a positive relationship between price and enjoyment,” author and wine critic Robin Goldstein wrote in the study, “Do More Expensive Wines Taste Better? Evidence from a Large Sample of Blind Tasting” for the Journal of Wine Economics.

Here are five tips to getting a good bottle of wine without being sold an overpriced dud:

1. Be open about how much you’re willing to spend. A good waiter or waitress should be able to recommend a wine that tastes great and doesn’t break the bank.

2. There’s no shame in not knowing your Merlots from your Sauvignon Blancs. Don’t be afraid to ask about the flavor and whether the wine will go with a certain food or, indeed, occasion.

3. If you enjoyed a wine and know the name, say something. The salesperson may be able to recommend something that’s close to it and explain the wine’s provenance.

4. Ask the liquor wine shop about storage. Should it be stored at room temperature or in a refrigerator? How long will it last after you open it? How long should you let it breathe?

5. Some wines will taste better months or even years from now. It may worth buying a bottle for a special occasion months in advance and letting the wine age.

‘I notice that white wine sells more often for the after-work crowd versus red wines.’

—Matt Strauss, a wine curator at The Rickey in New York City

Other findings in the OnePoll survey even quirkier: White-wine drinkers tend to be more extroverted, while red-wine drinkers are introverts; white-wine drinkers enjoy punk music versus red drinkers, who prefer jazz. And white-wine drinkers identified as “sarcastic, perfectionists and curious” and also tend to be night owls, while red drinkers are early birds, and identified as “humble, adventurous and organized.”

Some wine experts say they see personality differences in red and wine drinkers. “I notice that white wine sells more often for the after-work crowd versus red wines,” says Matt Strauss, a partner at TAO Group and wine curator at The Rickey in New York City. “However, when our guests settle in for dinner or have a night cap, red wine tends to be their go-to order.”

Other industry experts were skeptical of the findings.

“I see no correlation with the type of wine clients drink and their spend on wine or their personality,” Alex Papetsas, general manager and beverage director at Kellari Taverna in New York City, who says his best-selling wine by the glass is a Chardonnay that’s a little over $20. “I sell almost the exact same amount of $100-plus bottles of Chardonnay as Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Papetsas says everyone becomes more extroverted when they drink: “For every extroverted white-wine drinking customer there is an equally verbose red-wine drinker and vice versa.”

Here are five red flags to look out for when buying your next bottle of wine, and the right questions to ask when you’re unsure about splurging:

1. Don’t trust uniformed staffers

If you find a quality wine shop, you’ll also find smart wine employees who are eager to help you in your wine shopping journey.

“If a shop’s staff doesn’t listen to your questions and try to understand your tastes, shop elsewhere,” says Caitlin Heikkila Fusco, a sommelier and founder of The Sip, a service that curates wine classes and events, adding that a quality wine shop will have wine tasting that will let you try before you buy.

One way to know if someone is well versed? Ask: “What are you drinking right now?” A knowledgeable wine-shop employee will have some great insight into what’s good at the moment, Heikkila Fusco explains.

2. Beware of heavy marketing

Signs that scream “98 points!” or “Best Cabernet Sauvignon Winner!” are meaningless, Heikkila Fusco urges: “It’s marketing accolades and competitions that only the richest of wineries can enter. And 98 points doesn’t mean it’s a wine that you will like, either. I find that shops with staff tasting notes on the bottles usually indicates knowledgeable, helpful employees. I also love shops with wine tastings that allow you to try before you buy.”

3. Don’t buy wine at a supermarket

Don’t expect to find good wine at your local grocery store, even if it’s cheap. You might, but be extra vigilant. “They are likely carrying low-quality, mass-produced wine. Think of it as junk food wine,” Heikkila Fusco advises. A larger supermarket will have a bigger range and arrangements with reputable distributors.

4. Pay attention to how wine is stored

“Are there bottles sitting in the sun? Is there a layer of dust sitting on the wine bottles? Is there a heater vent blasting the bottles? If so, put down that bottle and walk away. These are signs the wine could be damaged or not cared for,” Heikkila Fusco warns.

And when you buy a bottle, ask an employee how exactly it should be stored so you can get the most out of its shelf life. Questions like: “Should it be at room temperature or in a refrigerator?” “How long will it last after you open it?” And, “How long should you let it breathe?” are important to know before you bring home a bottle.

5. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask questions

You won’t be wine-shamed for not knowing the difference between a bottle of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (Merlot tends to be more delicate and slightly more fruity compared to a more robust Cabernet). Don’t be afraid to ask about the flavor, and whether the wine will go with a certain food or, indeed, occasion.

“Telling your wine shop what you are having for dinner will give them more direction in helping you choose a wine,” says Heikkila Fusco.

If you don’t want to spend a lot, tell a staffer your price range and don’t buy anything above it.

Ask, What would you recommend in the $20 to $25 range? “Give your wine shop a budget to work in. And more expensive does not equal better, so don’t feel pressure to give a higher price point,” says Heikkila Fusco.