Soused via supermarket

Remember to pick up milk, eggs, wine ...

By TYLER BALLIET

del.ico.us | digg it! | reddit!

print | email | 0 Comments

We don't always have the option to shop at a small, locally owned wine shop staffed by experts. Luckily, the wines available at grocery and convenience stores have drastically improved in quality.

It is important to note, however, the ease of purchase does come with a downside. Most neighborhood markets aren't bringing in many low-production wines from family-owned wineries. They're mainly stocking up on big-name favorites from across the globe.

Think of it as shopping at a department store versus a small boutique. Yes, they have all the brands and, if you wanted to, you could shop here your whole life. However, if you're looking to find something rarer to expand your horizons, you'll have to go to the professionals.

A FEW TIPS AND TRICKS FOR WADING THROUGH THE BOOZE AISLES

When shopping for a bottle under the $20 mark, it's best to shop by region. Unless you're familiar with a particular label, avoid the mega-famous like Napa Valley or Bordeaux. Typically, the markup on these guys is huge, so you'll have as much luck finding a quality bottle as you will let your winnings "ride" in Vegas. Instead, buy wines from up-and-coming regions like the following:

Argentina

In recent years, Argentina has converted their wine industry from making millions of gallons of cheap hooch to producing quality vino, while still keeping their prices down. Malbec from the Mendoza region is their rockstar and, in our experience, it's hard to go wrong. Even cheap Argentine Malbec is still pretty decent. They also produce a fair amount of Cabernet, which is a steal for the price. Look for their indigenous white grape Torrontes, which tastes somewhere between a Sauvignon Blanc and a Viognier. In other words: totally awesome.

Our "when in doubt" pick is the Crios de Susana Balbo Malbec. There has been a recent push to get these wines in stores, so it's available in quite a few locations.

Chile

Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile has an amazing quality-to-price ratio and many are mass-produced, making them widely available. The country is starting to make wines that rival California and Bordeaux, but at cut-rate prices. Pick up a bottle and drink with steak, pastas, burgers or even pizza. Think of Chilean reds as the H&M of the wine world—high fashion at bargain prices.

We know you'll find a wine by Casillero del Diablo, and we recommend the Carménère. It drinks like an earthy Merlot, but sells for around 10 bucks, making it hard to beat.

New Zealand

When white is what you're searching for, look no further than New Zealand. Kiwi Sauvignon Blancs are crisp, refreshing and oh-so-easy to drink. Plus, most of them clock in less than 15 bones. While the great wines from this country truly stand out, few are terrible, increasing your odds of randomly grabbing a decent one.

There are better wines for the money, but Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc is everywhere. It's a decent, crisp and refreshing white that won't let you down.

DRINK MORE WINE! FOR MORE INFORMATION: THESECONDGLASS.COM