Collectibles

Rare wines are often kept under lock and key, but if they’re not kept relatively cool too, they’re not worth safeguarding (heat destroys wine). Before spending $100 on a bottle, especially for an older vintage, touch it.  If it feels warm, it’s too warm.

Cool Whites

Most whine shops keep bottles of popular whites in a refrigerator.  Don’t feel limited by these choices: Many stores have a quick chiller (a swirling bath of ice water) that will cool down any white in about five minutes.  As a general rule, chill sparkling wines yourself; if theyv’e been in a fridge for a long time, they can lose their fizz.

Stand-up Wines

Bottles kept upright look good on shelves, but the corks can dry out over time. If a bottle is very dusty and stored standing up, avoid it.

Case Deals

Most wine stores offer a discount on wine purchased by the case – usually 10 percent, though it can sometimes run as high as 15. Often, different bottles can be combined to make a “mixed case” that will still qualify for the discount. Ask.

Owner’s Favorites

Substantial stock in a particular region or type of wine may indicate that the store’s owner or wine buyer has a particular love for those wines.  This means there may be great values or unusual and wonderful wines in that section.

Talking Tags

Stores highlight wines with “shelf talkers” that give critics’ scores or reviews. Glowing write-ups are often used year after year, though, so make sure the vintage in the review matches that of the wine on the shelf. Handwritten tags from the store’s staff are helpful; if you like the wine, you can get the additional recommendations from an actual person.

The Cheap Stuff

Jug and box wines aren’t meant for aging. If they’re covered with dust or the vintage isn’t the most recent one, it’s best to look for something else.