My Top Tips for Buying Budget Wines:

One of the things that make the holidays feel special is that you purposely make it so by serving and doing things that you don’t always do. Serving wines you’ve purchased for special occasions, seeing your kid’s holiday plays, drinking winter cocktails, or ice skating. These are all great!

As far as entertaining though, if you’re always serving “special” wines, holiday events can get pricey quickly! Especially if you’re having multiple people over, or ahem… heavy drinkers.

Here is how to find great budget wines, anytime.

1. Find a small wine shop with friendly winemongers. You don’t always have to go small, but doing so can be great because their employees have a fair amount of expertise, and often more time, which helps them better get to know your tastes and your budget. Remember, their JOB is to recommend wines that you like so you'll return! After you get more familiar with your favorite budget wine grapes, styles, and regions, then if you want, branch out to shopping for wine at spots where there might not be as much hands-on help available.

2. Embrace buying wines from areas & countries whose grapes you don’t know as well, or, “sipping cousins" of famous wines from celebrated regions. Example- Barolo made from Nebbiolo grapes in Piedmont = $$$. Barbera or Dolcetto wines, also from Piedmont, $20-$100 less. All are delicious! If you'd like a little help exploring, ask that winemonger.

3. Unsure what to ask for?

• Say: "I love Pinot but I want to pay under ____ (fill in the blank). What are a few bottles you’d suggest?"

• Or "what's your favorite wine to recommend under $____?"

4. Get to know what you like and dislike (learn through tasting and reviewing my Wine-101 series on Insta). This is important so you can tell your winemonger, and then try whatever they recommend that caters within your budget. Everyones’s likes and dislikes will differ, so spend some time exploring yours!

5. Set your budget ahead of time and spend the most $ on the wines you adore. Say you have $45ish to spend on 2 bottles. A good Pinot can be pricey, spend up to $30 there if you love Pinots. Then spend less on a citrusy white that you can find easier for less $.

Happy Holidays, and I hope you enjoy this guide year round, too!