You Could Be Paying Less for Wine You Love
Wouldn’t it be great if you had the inside scoop on yummy wines you could purchase for less because most people do not realize they like the wine…or are not seeking out the wine because they don’t know the wine exists? Let’s call these “value wines.”
Tips for finding wine bargains, a.k.a., "value wines"
There are at least four factors that seem to either individually or together contribute to a wine fitting the definition of a “value wine.” These factors are...
- Lesser known producers
- Lesser known grape varieties and grape variety blends
- Lesser known wine producing countries and regions
- The employment of production factors that result in atypical wine taste characteristics for a given grape variety or blend of grapes
Price and quality are not necessarily linked
First, let’s set the record straight – it is a myth that the price of a wine is solely a function of its quality. Marketing and consumer awareness, as with most retail products, are significant factors in price setting. If you doubt this phenomenon applies to wine, consider the “Sideways Effect” discussed in a paper written by Steven S. Cuellar, Ph.D., an associate professor of economics at Sonoma State University and senior research economist at Sonoma Research Associates (read more here). In his paper, Mr. Cuellar discusses research indicating that the 2004 American comedy-drama film, “Sideways”, in which the main character was obsessed with Pinot Noir, had the effect of increasing both the price and sales volume of Pinot Noir following the movie’s debut. In fact, Mr. Cuellar asserts that “the increase in the price of Pinot Noir that starts in 2005 following the movie appears to reverse the downward trend that began in 2003.”
Small marketing budgets drive value
Many, if not most, wine producers have limited marketing budgets with which to tout their product. This is because a lot of wine producers are small family businesses. Even large corporate wine producers may not spend a lot of dollars marketing their wine because they are selling the wine at a price that does not support a large marketing budget, if any marketing budget at all. This means there are lots of wine producers whose names you do not know or whose wines you have not tasted.
Obscurity creates hidden gems
You are likely familiar with several different types of wine grapes – Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc. However, you are also likely unfamiliar with several other wine grape varieties, such as Bonarda, Tannat, Furmint, Jacquere, etc…as well as blends of known and lesser known grape varieties that result in palate pleasing wines that you have never tried.
Do you purchase wines from South Africa, Uruguay or Hungary? Most people do not, likely because they are unsure as to how the wine will taste. Sticking with the tried-and-true seems safer to most people
"Imposter" wines often cost less
Have you ever drunk a Chianti or a Merlot that tastes like a typical Cabernet Sauvignon? These “imposter” wines exist, and they are often less expensive than a comparable Cabernet Sauvignon. There are many examples of delicious wines that, due to how they are produced, do not exhibit the taste characteristics of typical wines made from the same type(s) of grapes. Interestingly, these “atypical” wines are often more similar to an entirely different type of wine…and can be less expensive…or just more interesting to drink.
There are many tasty, well-produced wines made from both known and lesser known grape varieties by unfamiliar producers in various wine regions throughout the world. In addition, some producers in both well-known and more obscure wine producing regions employ production techniques that result in atypical wine taste characteristics for a given grape variety or blend of grapes. Some of these wines have flavors very similar to more popularly consumed wines, and almost all of these wines appeal to some segment of the population.
Identifying value wines is easier than you think
If you were armed with information about unfamiliar and untried, less expensive wines that match your individual taste characteristics, you could confidently purchase and enjoy wine you love for less. Thankfully, there is a solution – the Calldera wine app.
Each wine recommended by the Calldera wine app has been evaluated by Calldera using objective, scientific techniques and instruments to determine the taste characteristics present in the wine…and these taste characteristics determine which wines Calldera recommends to you – producer, production region, grape variety and/or production techniques are not explicitly considered factors in identifying wines suitable for your palate.
In addition, the Calldera wine recommendation engine prioritizes wines that are in the price range of wines you previously have consumed (i.e., wines you have added to your Calldera “I Drank It” list). These facets of the Calldera wine app contribute to both enjoyment and cost savings for you.
It’s time you are rewarded for being an individual – let Calldera identify value wines for you…or at least inform you of wines in your preferred price range that match your personal taste preferences.
"The Calldera wine recommendation engine prioritizes wines that are in the price range of wines you previously have consumed"
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