How to talk to a wine merchant
Some people hate shopping for bathing suits. Others have grocery store anxiety. At this time of year, millions of folks are agonizing over their Medicare selection.
But wine shopping can be easy. For those who have cultivated a local wine retailer, your payoff is now! With discounts and selection at their annual peak, this trusted adviser will guide you toward wine to match your palate and pocketbook, along with special seasonal offers and services.
If you’ve yet to get to know a wine merchant, not to worry. With a few clues, these wine professionals turn into Sherlock Holmes, and the game’s afoot!
Try organizing your needs with the journalist’s 5 W’s (and an H).
Who is the wine for? A certified cork dork or an entry-level drinker? Your boss or buddies at a BYO party?
If you will be partaking, offer your own preferences: White, red or pink wine? Dry or sweet? Light in alcohol or rich? If you know your favorite grape varieties, regions or producers, great! It’s especially helpful if you’ve snapped a photo of a favorite bottle.
What are you shopping for? In addition to standard bottles, retailers may offer boxed wine, as well as gift baskets, wine clubs and gift cards for wine classes (such as the one I teach at The Chopping Block in Chicago).
Where will the wine be enjoyed? If drinking will take place in your all-white living room, maybe white wine is in order. If in a park or poolside, boxed wine will avoid restrictions against glass.
When will the cork be popped? If a few minutes after your arrival, maybe you want a chilled bottle. If it’s to celebrate a newborn, the wine may need 21 years maturation.
Why are you shopping for wine? To complement a formal dinner, or for takeout in front of the TV? If for a gift, have the Who? and How Much? information ready, as well as clues including the giftee’s eating habits (staunch vegan or committed carnivore?), travel plans and hobbies. There’s a “critter label” out there for lovers of most pets, even snakes!
How, or in this case, how much do you want to spend? Don’t be shy about your budget. Some folks are impressed with lofty prices; others (like me) enjoy the hunt for top quality at great value. Of course, your merchant is in business and may attempt to stretch your budget. If it doesn’t make sense to let them, a simple “no thanks” will be understood.
Putting it all together:
“I’m looking for a gift for my boss, a real wine geek. He loves Italian food. Can I find something to impress him for under $50? Do you offer gift-wrapping?”
“I’m tailgating at the Bears game and want to bring hot spiced wine, a lot of it. What do you have that’s red, cheap and good?”
“This bottle is for me. I like light, white wine with a little sweetness. I may serve it with Thai takeout. I’ve enjoyed Riesling from Austria. Do you have something under $20, chilled?”
Try to avoid statements like: “I had a wine in Denver last year that I liked. It had a castle on the label. I think it was red.” But if this is all you've got, your retailer will still do their best to find the perfect wine for you!
Spanish wine and tapas
For flavors other than turkey and all the trimmings, join me from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, for a Spanish Wine and Tapas Pairing at The Chopping Block, 4747 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. We’ll mix and match four courses and five Spanish wines to test the rules of wine and food, and explore Spain’s unique dining tradition. For details and to register, visit thechoppingblock.com.
• Mary Ross is an Advanced Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers), a Certified Wine Educator (Society of Wine Educators) and a recipient of Wine Spectator’s “Grand Award of Excellence.” Write to her at food@dailyherald.com.