For less expensive wines, Hoel recommends avoiding popular regions. “While I love the complex wines that come from Burgundy, France, some of my favorite wine regions are in lesser-known countries like Chile, Argentina, and South Africa.” Instead of California, he suggests trying a pinot noir from Oregon, or a pinot gris from New Zealand. These regions produce delicious wines but don’t have the same prestige as Tuscany or Bordeaux, meaning you can find excellent wines at a much better price. If you’re not ready to give up your favorite wine country, try one of their lesser-known grape varieties. “Many of our favorite grapes have sisters or cousins that haven’t achieved the same notoriety,” explains Hoel. “A great example is the carménère, a half-sister of sorts of merlot. Often mistaken for each other, carménère offers a similarly robust profile but is usually much more affordable.” But how do you know what a wine will taste like before you buy it? “Wine labels don’t always make it easy,” says Hoel. “A good place to start is taking a look at the ABV (alcohol by volume). It’ll give you a glimpse of what’s inside the bottle. Lighter and sweeter wines tend to have a lower ABV, while richer, drier wines fall on the higher side.” If you know you like light wines, you’ll do well sticking with an ABV under 12.5 percent. For a bolder profile, Hoel recommends opting for 13 percent and above. Next, consider the occasion. Just like ice cream loses some of its luster in the wintertime, a poorly paired wine can leave you disappointed. For a big dinner with lots of sides, Hoel recommends considering a wine that pairs well with a variety of foods, like the versatile gamay grape. For a wine that pairs well with a movie? “Pop some popcorn, uncork a chardonnay, and watch as the rich butter on the popcorn draws out the chardonnay’s smooth undertones.” If you know what you like, doing a quick Google search to find similar varietals will go a long way. If you don’t, try wines you’re not as familiar with. Ask your friends what they like to drink. Even join a wine club with a wide variety. Explore new wines, take note of what you like, and continue to keep an open mind. Not only can this land you a less expensive bottle, but you may find a new favorite in the process.
