The Auswine Forum

After the "Non Rated Pinot" thread I thought I'd pose this poll.

To be honest I could say all of the above to the options in the poll. I even bought a bottle recently because it had a mimic of a QANTAS boarding pass as a label! Maye I'll use up some frequent flyer miles this weekend and get the one with the First Class label! Yes, I am losing control.

Mike

This is far too simplistic for a forum like this. There are lot of very knowledgeable people here. It is morely that people have tried a wine or tried previous vintages and given the vintage reports buy on that basis.

In the end I've gone on the basis of the critics - there is too much wine out there for me to have a chance to try half of what I would like.

Probably most if not all of those reasons, though labelling and friends recommendations would be low on that list. Not that I don't trust my friends, but few care about wine and what they enjoy I often don't. The handful of wine geek friends and wine geek internet 'chums' would be the exception to this.

I do read a lot about wine - I find it relaxing. Often I'll make a mental note that a particular wine or producer sounds interesting and will keep it in mind when buying. It might be Marcarini Boschi di Berri Dolcetto from ancient ungrafted vines, or Savennieres for the fierce tooth dissolving acidity described. The key though here, is not just chasing highly 'pointed' wines, but looking out for something that piques your interest.

Of course the ideal way to choose wines is because you've tasted it and think it really good!

Ditto to all the above - there are many reasons I buy a wine. Majority of my purchases are made at cellar door (we try to do at least one tasting trip each year).

Having said that, I do take some notice of the ratings before heading on a trip - sort of a 'well, I must remember to try that one while I am there'. Needless to say, if I don't like it, I don't buy it, regardless of the rating.

I also tend to speak to retailers (and yes, I realise their job is to sell me something but, hey, I am going to buy something I simply use them to point me in the right direction given my tastes). Obviously some retailers are better than others.

And, to give all of you a rap, I take notice of the tasting notes and opinions on this forum.

So, that's how I buy wine I haven't tasted before. Then I usually keep buying more of the stuff I like.

Pretty simple really....

Winelover,

I think you missed the most important one from your list and that is I tried it and liked it so I bought some. Next most important would be I read a TN from someone whose tastes align with mine and it sounded good. After that you hunt down the best price you can find.

Glen

I second Glen's post. What ever happened to 'Because I liked it' ?

Completely agree with Glen on this one.

I picked major critic but I include the folk here as major critics. Saying that I wouldn't buy off just one recommendation but a growing consensus on the forum will certainly make me interested.

Then I'll wait until I can get agood deal on it.

But a lot of the time it's because I'm on the mailing list and have been buying it for years. This is still often swayed by forum opinions and the vintage and price though.

Went for because I haven't tried it before. Should also add that I also buy because I tried it before and so 'Why not?' as well!

cheers

Carl

Wow, sorry to be simplistic and I recognise that there are some very knowledgeable people on this forum. However, this simplistic poll was not meant to offend people. I should also clarify that it was also aimed at wines that you haven't tasted. I guess the question should be re phrased as why would you buy a bottle you haven't tried before? I just think that it is very sad that some appear to be so driven by what a reviewer says and percieve so much psychological risk in showing people who are supposed to be their friends in a tasting group situation an un rated wine. I know I wouldn't hold it against my friend if they bought a wine along and it wasn't rated. Their friendship is worth more to me than a bottle of wine and I wouldn't riddicule them if the wine was dishwater! I think it's great to try new things... even if there is risk involved, isn't that half the fun?

Ditto all the above reasons about buying wines. Another reason I buy certain wines is because they are from places that I have been to on my travels, and I LIKE their wines. Drinking these wines helps to bring back pleasant travel memories.

Given the caveat of not having tried a wine before, I'd go with the recommendation of the sales person (one who I'm familiar with) or a combination of packaging and 'why not?'

Winelover,

No offence taken and I am not that knowledgeable trust me. The other post you were refering to was a lot more tongue in cheek than I think you picked up on. Those forum members that I have had the chance to meet and drink with are far more likely to be impressed with something unkown that tasted good/interesting than they are by someone turning up with the latest 100 point $200 wine

Ciao

Glen

I'm another , tried it, liked it , want to buy it.

OK listen to input from other "So Called Experts", but basicly everyone has different tastes, & its your decision & your cost, so go for it!

Its a BIG EGO trip , don't get sucked in!

There are more old wine drinkers than old Doctors!

GRB wrote:Winelover,

I think you missed the most important one from your list and that is I tried it and liked it so I bought some. Next most important would be I read a TN from someone whose tastes align with mine and it sounded good. After that you hunt down the best price you can find.

Glen

With you Glen.

I mostly buy (particularly red) wines without tasting based on opinions of others, including TNs from forums and respected critics. Lately, the local barn's run-out stock has given me the opportunity to try wines at good prices, based on producer/region, that I wouldn't otherwise have considered, such as:

Forest Hill Vineyards 04 Mount Barker winery. Huge fruit attack on the palate, the fruit has siphoned off the oak. A slight dip on the mid-palate isn't hidden by the merlot component but it has a lengthy finish with lots of licorice/cassis, some greenishness. Soft, ripe tannins. The finish is the highlight of this wine though I enjoyed the ripe, juicy fruit too. $12.80.

O'Leary Walker Blue Cutting Road 03 Total contrast to the Forest Hill. Initially very savoury. With air-time, the fruit surfaces, still savoury, with more cassis, a bit of plum. Cedary oak is noticeable. Tannins are mouth-coating, dusty and add to the medium finish. $16 but when I asked at the checkout if that was the discounted price, the nearby young supervisor said $8, so got him to grab the other remaining bottles from the clearance shelf. Bargain!

There's some Heathcote Mail Coach 03(?) shiraz on the run-out shelves for about $24. Any opinions of it? I may be able to pick up the remaining bottles for $12-$15.

There have been some disappointments, a Hamilton Hutt Block comes to mind, but some others have been worthwhile discoveries. Wilson Vineyard(Polish River) 99 and 05 riesling, Jip Jip Rocks(Limestone Coast) shiraz, for example.

I didn't vote. I'd never buy a wine because of the packaging but all of the other reasons apply. Glen's approach is obviously the soundest. That's why I'll buy another case of Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz 05, a quaffer comparable to Longhop Shiraz 06.

Cheers

daz

I agree with DJ's sentiments...

Price.

I'll read reviews, forum comments etc, compile a list in my mind of what I want to buy in the next 6 mths and buy one of those wines if I see a great price. I virtually never pay full RRP or release price. Over the past 4-5 years I haven't needed to.

Alternatively, if I see a wine with a good reputation at a great price (and I've liked previous vintages) , I'll search for info about that particular vintage and then buy if I like the sound of what I read.

Edit: I should have added that I don't have the budget to buy 2 dozen single bottles to taste or sample and then buy 6 of the 3 wines I like best. I only ever buy in lots of 1-3 bottles so my initial purchase is usually my only purchase.

If you asked, what made me interested in a wine it would be a) reputation of previous vintages or reviews/tasting notes. But as the question is what makes me buy a wine the answer is price 95% of the time. Unless it's an absolute must have wine and there are only 2-3 of those a year for me then it's price all the time that makes me buy.

I vote on price. Always price. Then :

Alternatively, if I see a wine with a good reputation at a great price, I'll search for info about that particular vintage and then buy if I like the sound of what I read.

Yep, me too.

I also buy good vintages if I can. It's a matter of if I can afford it or not.Then availability. How long is the window open when I can get it easily ? All that.

the local barn's run-out stock has given me...

...like myself, a picking-pot at the local bottle-o has introduced me to odds and ends...

"So Called Experts", but basicly everyone has different tastes, & its your decision & your cost, so go for it!

Its a BIG EGO trip...

Not to be trifled with

Sometimes I want to be:

turning up with the latest 100 point $200 wine Very Happy