Continuing the Enjoyment Guide, always focusing on practical issues around the enjoyment of wine, I thought to address a topic that initially sounds quite simplistic. However, it has as many extensions as there are color shades of rosé wines.

How to Choose the "Right" Wine Bottles

Discussing generally, in terms of the bottle's condition, but more specifically as well. As you understand, I'm preparing you for several continuations of the article.

It's not rare for me to encounter wine enthusiasts with questions on all levels, but I always feel we should start with the basics and gradually move up, if that is our goal. So, let's see today how to choose the "right" wine bottles from a retail point, which can be a physical store like a wine shop or an online one, like Greece and Grapes.

1. Check the space we entered (if it's a physical location) and the employee serving us: cleanliness, politeness, willingness to understand our wants and needs, not just to make money.

2. Since we are "full" in the era of technology, with smartphones and wine searcher for the advanced, we generally inform ourselves about prices, reviews, and awards. Careful here, with so many competitions awarding as many wines as possible, it's important who the specific one is.

3. If it's for investment purchase, I've found the experts that suit me and have done my research before proceeding to a specific purchase.

4. If we're looking to find the cheapest wine, it's good to know that there's always something even cheaper. So, the quest is for value, at what price we can obtain more quality elements. This, somewhat generally and for Greek wines, is found in the middle price category, for example, 12-25 euros, with several exceptions both lower and higher.

5. Avoid dusty and forgotten bottles on shelves or bottles that have been stored near sources of heat or light or odors, as they can alter their freshness and fruity character.

6. If our bottle is closed with a cork, we prefer those stored sideways. If it's with a screw cap or vinolok type (glass stopper), there's no concern.

7. Make a quick check of the cork, it shouldn't have popped even a millimeter upwards or downwards from the bottle's mouth.

8. Check the wine level in the bottle, we don't want the gap (ullage) to exceed 2-3 centimeters from the wine surface, as this can be a cause of oxidation. This is particularly important, especially in old bottles.

9. We prefer labels that explain how our wine was made rather than with what dishes to pair it. This gives us more information to judge on our own.

10. Try a bottle before buying larger quantities.

11. Dare to ask questions to discover all the secrets of wine or to ask for our wine merchant's advice. If we don't like their information and advice, we go elsewhere! When we find the wine merchant we like, we make them our friend (like our fishmonger) to learn our preferences and to advise us (according to our tastes) new labels. Also, by building a good relationship, you might find forgotten "gems" by time, even by the wine merchant.

12. Big offers are not necessarily the best opportunities. The wine might be problematic or may have surpassed its recommended consumption date, or there could be some commercial exploitation of the wine.

13. For the freshest and lightest whites and rosés, we prefer the last two vintages. For more complex examples, we can go even further back. The chances are more rewarding than disappointing.

14. The alcohol content indication on the label significantly reflects the wine's style. If it's 12%, it's a light wine; if it's 15%, it's a very rich wine.