The Ultimate Guide to Buying Wine

Shopping for wine can be an intimidating and sometimes costly experience. There are well over 11,000 wineries in the United States alone, and when you go global, that number increases to the hundreds of thousands. Even navigating your local wine shop can involve being confronted with a wall of unfamiliar labels, strange designations, and wondering exactly what you’re buying with each bottle. What type of grape is behind that funky label that seems to tell you nothing about the wine itself? Is that Riesling you picked up sweet or dry? And how can you make sure you’re getting the best deal possible?

We’ve broken out a few common categories to help try and narrow down the choices the next time you’re shopping for wine. Look for shopping tips like how to get case discounts, start a collection, or step up your game to start investing in wine, as well as easy guides to decode confusing wine labels, and primers on the four most popular grapes in the country.

Shopping for wine

How can you make sure you’re getting the most out of your wallet with each bottle? Shopping online can help you get great deals on bottles you can’t find locally, so we’ve singled out 10 of the best places to buy wine online. For those looking to start a full wine cellar or just a small collection on their own, don’t let budget scare you away — we’ve got you covered on how to navigate case discounts, and affordable alternatives to big name regions. Finally, if you’re looking to grow your love of wine from a collection to an investment, discover how to build a portfolio that lasts.

Decoding bottles

One of the hardest things about shopping for wine is being confronted with hundreds or thousands of labels in the store, and trying to figure out what exactly is inside each bottle. Labeling systems can vary widely from France to the U.S., Italy, and beyond, so we’ve broken down exactly what to look for on each to make sure you’re purchasing what you really want. Additionally, dive into the great cork vs. screw cap debate so you can know which type of closure is best for the type of wine you choose.

Grape guides

Foundational knowledge is key to making the right purchase. We’ve taken a look at four of the top selling wine varieties worldwide — Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay — and broken them down to key components of flavor, regions, and how to find the exact bottle that’s perfect for you.