1- Guide yourself only by price
For sure it is necessary to have a budget, it tells us how much money we are willing to pay or not for a wine. But it is important to know that the best buy is not necessarily the most expensive. The price of a wine is determined by many aspects that can range from certifications such as organic to taxes of each country. That is why it is always good to consider the person preferences and, in addition, to get some advice. Either reading on the internet or asking to the seller. If that person loves Bordeaux wines but is out of your reach, a good alternative could be a Chilean Bordeaux blend like, for example, is Marques de Casa Concha Etiqueta Negra.
2- Not knowing who the gift is for
Just like people, wine has personalities and character. For this reason, it is essential to know in advance who is the person to whom we are going to give it. What are their preferences or their lifestyle are important indicators that can tells us if the person fits into any of these wine categories: organic, natural, innovative, small production, author’s wine, classics, oaked or unoaked. If you prefer to make it even more personal, choosing a wine from a special place or harvested on a special date for the person, are also thoughtful gestures.
3- Ignore recommendations
Whether you are a wine expert or not, you shouldn’t underestimate the recommendations that the salesperson can give you. Above all, in specialized stores, sellers are quite knowledgeable. They attend wine tastings, visit vineyards, and their trained palate could increase the odds that your choice is the right one. If you can’t find anyone, you can do some online research. Guiadecorchados.cl is an excellent reference guide, which has just published its Chile 2021 Report where Carmín de Peumo was chosen as one of the Top 10 Red Wines in Chile.
4- Choose by appearance
If you are a visual person, the label is probably an important reference when choosing. And there is nothing wrong with that: the label is probably the first impression (good or bad) that we have of a wine. But we already know that appearances can sometimes be deceiving. It is the same in wine. If you pick a bottle guided by appearance, I recommend you read immediately the back label. There will be more detailed information about the origin, vintage and method of wine production. But whoever made the wine is not the one who made the label. If you have doubts, it is always better to ask.
5- Distract yourself with bargains
When you are looking for your gift, with a budget in mind, try not to divert your attention to those large posters or wine boxes arranged in the middle of the store or supermarket. As I explained you, a bargain can be tempting, but that does not mean that it is the wine you are looking for. Take your time.
