When you go into most supermarkets, you will find an aisle or half an aisle filled with bottles of wine. They’re all priced very differently, but the selection is often huge. Finding a good wine in this vast array can be a challenge if you don’t know what you’re looking for. This article considers the pros and cons of buying supermarket wine.
Pro: convenience
Buying wine from the supermarket when you’re doing your weekly grocery shopping is very convenient and easy. You don’t need to go out of your way to visit a specialist and can pick up a bottle of wine at almost any time of the day. Some supermarkets are open 24 hours a day to offer convenience for people that have busy lives or work unusual hours; you often won’t find this level of convenience when buying from a specialist wine store.
Pro: cost saving
Supermarkets have lots of buying power due to the number of stores they own and the volume of wine they purchase. This means if you consider the price of a bottle of wine at the supermarket compared to a specialised wine shop, you will often find the supermarket wine is cheaper. In addition, supermarkets often have offers and discounts which can help you save even more money on a bottle of wine.
Con: no expert help
Choosing the right wine for your dish and taste isn’t always easy, and when you’re at the supermarket, you will be left alone to make this decision. Most supermarkets don’t have experts on hand to advise you on your wine selection. The opposite is true when you visit a specialist wine shop; they will always have a knowledgeable member of staff that can help you make the right decision. This knowledge is highly valuable as it can stop you from wasting money on a bottle of wine that won’t be suitable for your occasion or taste.
Con: only selling wine
Supermarkets typically only sell wine; they don’t offer any other services or events that are associated with wine. Specialist wine shops, however, often have other events, such as wine tasting and social evenings, you can attend. Wine-tasting events are great to help expand your knowledge of different wines and enable you to make a better choice when it comes to your next meal, whether that’s a Shiraz wine or a bottle of Champagne. During these wine social events, you can meet other people that are also interested in wine; meeting others with a shared interest is a great way to expand your social circle.
Con: limited specialist wines
If you’re looking for a specialist wine, you’re unlikely to be able to find it in most supermarkets. Expert wine shops will stock unique and specialist wines for those looking for something particular. Even if they don’t stock the wine you’re looking for, lots of wine shops will be more than happy to help you source the wine or order it with their next delivery. Alternatively, they will be delighted to recommend something very similar that you’re also likely to enjoy. You won’t get this level of service when buying wine from a supermarket.
Con: no subscription service
Many specialised wine shops and online stores now offer wine subscription services; this is a great way to get fantastic wine delivered to your house each month at a discounted price. You won’t need to make the trip to the supermarket or wine shop to ensure you’re always stocked with wine for any occasion. Wine subscription services are very popular with wine enthusiasts, and the wine you receive from specialised wine subscription services will be of high quality.
There are some advantages and disadvantages of buying supermarket wine. The main advantages are the convenience and cost savings you can make when you buy from the supermarket. However, there are also disadvantages; you won’t have an expert to help you with your selection, supermarkets don’t provide any other services, such as wine-tasting events or subscription services, and they often stock a limited number of specialist wines. If you want the best possible wine for your occasion, consider visiting a specialist or online wine shop.
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