What Wine Should I Buy?

(A question as old as the corkscrew.)

If you've ever stood in front of a wall of wine bottles, staring at labels like they might suddenly start explaining themselves… you are not alone.

"What wine should I buy?" is easily the most common question I hear at events. The good news? The answer is much simpler (and much less stressful) than you think.

Let's break it down.

1. Buy What You Actually Like

This might sound obvious, but it needs to be said: buy what you enjoy drinking.

Not what the wine critic scored 94 points. Not what your neighbor insists is "serious." Not what has the fanciest label with a château you can't pronounce.

If you love big, bold reds—lean into that. If you prefer crisp, refreshing whites—go for it. If your heart belongs to rosé year-round—welcome, friend.

Wine is not a test. There is no grade at the end. The "right" wine is the one you're happy to pour a second glass of.

2. Let's Talk About Price (Without Getting Weird About It)

Here's where things get interesting.

There is typically a noticeable jump in quality between a $7 bottle and a $20 bottle. At the lower end, production is often focused on efficiency and volume. That doesn't mean it's bad—but it may be simpler, less balanced, or less expressive.

Around the $15–$25 range, you often start seeing better vineyard sourcing, more careful winemaking, greater balance and structure, and more interesting flavor profiles.

Now here's the part people don't expect: the leap from $20 to $50? Not nearly as dramatic for most casual wine drinkers.

At that level, you're often paying for things like limited production, specific vineyard sites, aging potential, brand prestige, and collectability.

Are those wines excellent? Absolutely. Will most people experience 2.5x more enjoyment? Not necessarily.

If you're buying for everyday enjoyment, that $15–$25 sweet spot is often your best value-to-quality ratio.

3. Experiment a Little

It's easy to get comfortable. "I drink Cabernet." Full stop.

But wine is a world tour in a glass. If you always buy the same bottle, you're missing out on incredible regions, grapes, and styles.

Love Cabernet Sauvignon? Try one from a different country. Prefer Sauvignon Blanc? Explore one with a different climate expression. Think you don't like Chardonnay? You might just not like that Chardonnay.

Experimenting doesn't mean abandoning your favorites—it just means expanding your palate so you have more favorites.

And here's a small secret: most people don't actually know what they like until they taste a range side-by-side.

The Easiest Way to Figure It Out

This is exactly why I created Travel Through Wine.

In a class or tasting event, you get to compare styles side-by-side, understand why wines taste the way they do, discover new regions, gain confidence ordering or buying, and ask all the questions you've secretly been wondering.

No pressure. No snobbery. Just education that makes wine make sense.

So what wine should you buy?

Start with what you love. Spend wisely. Try something new now and then.

And if you'd like a guided tour through it all, I'd love to pour for you.

Cheers 🍷