The 10 commandments for choosing wine at the supermarket when you’re low on cash

‘In the beginning, there was wine’ and men would drink it, oblivious and happy, distinguishing only between red and white.

Then came the floods, bringing DOC and IGT certifications, sommelier courses even for simple wine lovers and, ultimately, chaos reigned in the world of wine and has done ever since. The consequences have been so disastrous that now even buying a bottle that we’ll like at the supermarket has become a veritable endeavour.

In a Tower of Babel papered with labels, of the kind you can only find in the wine aisle of a supermarket, choosing the right wine is no mean feat, especially when you’re on a budget.

We have therefore devised a guide, or rather 10 commandments, to prevent you, a people of faithful drinkers, from a plague of universal gastritis or, even worse, accusations of the most terrible of capital sins by your friends and family: avarice (Of the type “Hey cheapskate, what kind of cheap plonk have you bought?”).

SO BEHOLD 10 COMMANDMENTS ON HOW TO CHOOSE A BOTTLE OF WINE AT THE SUPERMARKET ON A LOW BUDGET

1. Thou shalt not commit impure acts

You are staggering into the wine aisle, your trolley now overflowing, regretting your manic compulsion to throw things in to it whether you need them or not, and you’re already dreading the expensive bill that awaits you at the till. “Damn, I only came out for a pint of milk”, you think. And this is when temptation catches you unaware.

As if drawn by a magnet, your eyes fall on the bottom shelf and those tantalizing prices that start with “1” and end with “.99” beckon to you, looking irresistible.

The devil draws close and whispers in your ear: “But what if it really is a good, fair deal?”

No. Absolutely not, never in a million years. Not even for cooking, it would ruin your meals.

Be strong and stand your ground, choosing one of the bottles on the middle shelf. The expensive, sealed ones on the top shelf are not meant for you. In fact, you’d better stop looking at them if you don’t want to be condemned for hubris.

2. Thou shalt not take the name Lambrusco in vain

Lambrusco, the poor thing, is one of those wines that has suffered its fill of insults and slurs. The version we are all so familiar with is a very low-cost sparkling, sweet wine, but truth be told, there’s more to this wine than meets the eye. In fact, over the last few years in particular, dry #Laidback Lambrusco has received some amazing publicity, perhaps as a result of the trend for re-fermented bottled wines, or due to the efforts by the young producers in Emilia Romagna to improve its image. So, before you turn your nose up at it, try these two labels:

• Lambrusco di Sorbara Secco Doc by Cavicchioli #Laidback
• Lambrusco di Sorbara Secco Doc by Righi #Laidback

3. Thou shalt keep special days holy with sparkling wine

You’ve been invited to dinner, perhaps for someone’s birthday and you have no idea what’s likely to be on the menu. What should you do?

Go for a sparkling wine made with the Classic Method. When served chilled, these always manage to raise a smile, even when the quality is literally sinful.

But, if your budget is even lower than low, choose a wine made with the Charmat Method (you’ll recognize it because it’s written on the label) and if you’re not up for a classic Prosecco we recommend the #Witty Ortrugo wines from Piacenza: fruity and fresh with a slightly sweet finish. 

4. Honour thy patre and matre and the South of Italy

In Southern Italy, the climate is wonderful, the food is heavenly and… things are cheaper! Wines from Southern Italy generally cost less per litre, despite their excellent quality. Opt for #Magnetic Primitivo or Negroamaro (#Magnetic or #Sage) from Apulia if you prefer more structured, tannic wines. Instead, if mellower red wines are more of your thing, try an #Sensual Nero d’Avola.

As for white wines, choose Falanghina and Fiano d’Avellino from Campania if you enjoy fresher, more acidic wines. Or open a bottle of Sardinian Vermentino if you favour stronger, more sapid wines.

5. Thou shalt not kill DOCG wines

Guys, this is important! When you want to make a good impression but spend maximum €10, steer clear of wines emblazoned with big names. For the same price, it’s better if you go for less famous IGT or DOC wines or even for less known vineyards as their producers will very much more careful with all their labels in order to increase their market and visibility. In the #Laidback wines, we find the Marzemino da Trentino and Bardolino wines from Veneto, both nothing short of delicious. Try the Dolcetti from Piedmont or Gutturnio from Piacenza if you prefer wines with an #Sensual character. And if it’s #Magnetic wine you’re looking for, we recommend the Tuscan Morellini. 

6. Thou shalt not steal… but when there’s a promo on, thou shalt dive right in

It may seem a fairly obvious suggestion, but there’s no harm repeating it.

Nowadays, at the supermarket you can find wines from prestigious wineries, whose basic products and lines are designed especially for the mass retail market. These products are excellent, and quite often you can buy them as part of a promo. 

An example? Le Difese by Tenuta San Guido for 11 euro!! Not bad if you consider that this same winery also produces Sassicaia, the most famous wine in Italy, which won the title of “Best wine in the world” with its 2015 vintage, according to Wine Spectator.

7. Thou shalt not bear false witness

So, let’s start with an assumption: Chianti for 5 euros is a no-no.

If you find famous wines available at a very low base price, you can be sure you are buying a pig in a poke. Oh, and avoid those bottles sporting royal labels and a price tag that reads €2.50. Even if you’re not spending much, you’ll still be wasting your money. Obviously, it’s a completely different kettle of fish if you have to buy a gift for someone you dislike. In that case, it will be the best purchase of your life.

8. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wine (but it’s ok to covet his grape variety)

When you’re not sure whether to purchase a foreign wine, especially a French one, that looks as if its price is good, let it go, bro.

It’s almost definitely not worth it; and at this point, you’d be better to opt for an Italian wine. In fact, not only does the price of that wine include its shipment duties, but French wines with the same quality level as Italian wines cost on average twice as much.

Instead, if you are in doubt as to which wine to choose, it’s not a bad idea to go for foreign (international) wines produced in Italy. In fact, the ones we will mention are effectively of a high quality: whether their grapes are grown in France, California or Italy, they all maintain strong distinctive traits and therefore we will know more or less what to expect when we drink them.

When it comes to red wines, we suggest:

• Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with their well-rounded #Sensual character,
• Cabernet Franc and Syrah, with an #Sensual character, but spicier, with vegetable notes reminiscent of black pepper. 

Instead, in the white wine selection, try:

• Sauvignon Blanc, with a #Charming character. Its bouquet resembles tomato leaves and… cat pee, which we adore, 
• Gewurztraminer, with an #Exotic character. If you are fond of aromatic wines, Gewurztraminer is always a good option.

9. Thou shalt not have any advisors except VINHOOD

We didn’t list it as the first commandment as we didn’t want to be too biased.

But it has to be said: it’s not every day you get the chance to shop with a taste expert capable of recommending the perfect wine for your own personal tastes and recipes. So make the most of him, right?!

Of the various wines he recommends, it will be up to you to choose the one that’s right for your pocket.

10. Thou shalt write the tenth commandment in a comment below!

Click below to try the Vinhood test and discover the #Character of your ideal wine.