When shopping for wine, some people fumble through a store’s vast aisles, stopping every few feet to look up wine ratings on their phones. To them, finding the perfect vino is somewhat akin to seeking treasure—sans guide—in a foreign land. The problem with that approach? Wine options are vast and ever evolving. Some expert advice is in order.
When listovative.com published its “12 Toughest Exams in the World,” the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam was at the top of the list. That’s right, trying to become a wine expert is more difficult than getting a membership to Mensa.
So what’s the key when buying wine? Find your sherpa, a reliable expert who can help you make the right call, no matter your mood. I assume that you have a trusted tailor who makes alterations, a no-nonsense mechanic who handles your car repairs? It’s the same concept.
How do you do find your sherpa? Ask questions while enjoying tastings at local wine shops. Some wine-shop employees will bore you, some might ignore you, and some will instantly connect with you.
Finding a guide in the world of wine isn’t about being told what to drink. It’s about someone who knows your palate. Over time, your trust for this person will build, his or her recommendations will expand, and you’ll learn more. And ultimately, that’s the best way to get to know wine: one glass at a time.
Wine Experts to Know
33 Wine Shop & Tasting Bar
James Smallwood
Balaban’s
Steve McIntyre
Grapevine Wines
Mike and Bob Gray
Lukas Liquor
Jon Lane
Parker’s Table
Jonathan Parker
Randall’s Wines & Spirits (South City)
Todd Randall
Robust Wine Bar
Stanley Browne
St. Louis Wine Market
Rich Sterkel
Starr’s
John Nash
The Vino Gallery
Alex Head
The Wine and Cheese Place (Clayton)
Paul Hayden
The Wine Merchant
Jason Main
