I was in the liquor store today buying a couple bottles of wine.

Typically my strategy when buying wine is to buy a few bottles of a wine I know that I like, just to have it in my pocket if company shows up. I don’t like to pilot a new bottle with company.

Then I buy a few bottles that Winescorecard recommends based on my PalatePrint to keep tabs on how well our methodology is working.

Then I buy a few bottles of wine that I have never heard of, because I like to try new things. Who doesn’t? (Clearly not the couple on “Swingtown” which I just finished watching!)

Anyway, I was at the store and there was this woman that was totally at a loss for what to buy. I asked her a few questions, and suggested a couple of things to try (the Columbia Crest Two Vines Cab and the Simi Chardonnay). When I got home, it got me thinking about why we started this site.

Buying wine is confusing for most people. You cannot possibly know everything on the shelf, or all the regions, or varieties. It is just too hard.

And then, tonight, I found this blog, Cheaper Than Therapy. In the author’s AboutMe section, it lists her wine selection strategy:

I spend way too much time on the computer and drink white wines based on label appearance. My recent purchase is shown below.

Followed by a picture of Fat Bastard Chardonnay that highlights the quote “Remarkably full bodied.”

Now, I don’t about you, but I find the concept of picking a bottle by the label a bit scary. Not that I have never done it, because of course I have. I did think it was hilarious though that she picked up on this great label quote.

So, how do you pick wine?