Newbie looking for reference

SNIP

Hm-m-m, could be? But, I also recommend Andrea Immer (didn't know she had added Robinson) as a good source, whether one is new to wine, or just looking for a refresher.

On to the topic of pricing. Regardless of where one is located, most often they will find that the smaller, specialty shops offer the same wine for a few $'s (or whatever) more than the discount guys do. Part is volume, part is due to the overhead being spread over much more, and diverse merchandise. However, one is more likely to get good information from the smaller shops, and more likely to talk to the same person(s) on each visit. Soon, they will know what you like and can better recommend a wine.

I have a local grocery (almost a boutique shop) near me. They are usually about US$5-btl more expensive, than the discounters in my city. However they are just over the hill from me, and have a really good selection, especially in the esoteric wines section. I support them, so if I need another bottle of X, just before a dinner, I know I can head "over the hill," and likely find it. If I just bought from the discounters, I'd be stuck with only what they are moving that week, and might have to limit guests to WOH ("wine on hand.") In the grand scheme of things, if there is added value, one has to be ready to pay for it. Comparison shopping will give you the cost of a wine in your area. Then, it's up to you, as the consumer, to decide who has the best price, if that is all that motivates you. Heck, if it were just about money, I could serve my wine in old jelly jars, and save on the Riedel. Besides, unless one is buying great quanbreastes, it's expensive to drive across town, to save a few $'s on a bottle of wine.

OTOH, if this is just a shill for some Web site, so be it.

Hunt