SUB-ZERO WINE BLOG

My friends often ask me what’s a “go-to” bottle when shopping for wine. Here’s a little trick I’ve learned: know your importers. A good importer will usually have a point of view and a reputation for quality; so if you find one you like, stick with it. I always trust importers such as Kobrand, Vineyard Brands or Wilson Daniels, just to take three examples, and even if I don’t necessarily recognize the specific label, I can still make an informed choice. Some importers’ lists contain portfolios of wines chosen by a specialist in a particular region. Michael Skurnik, for example, imports the selections made by Austrian wine expert Terry Thiese. In a sense, Thiese and Skurnik have already done your homework for you if you’re interested in purchasing an Austrian wine, and you can generally trust their evaluation. The importer should be listed on the back label, by the way, and the more you get into wine the more you’ll want to check the back labels, not just for imports but for domestic wines as well. Another thing I’ve learned is that it’s impossible to know every bottle. Rely on someone you trust who does know every bottle—at least every bottle in the store. Find a quality local wine store where the owner or wine buyer is out front and talking to people. The say hello to your new wine consultant.