Sommeliers share their guilty pleasure wines
It’s a commonly held belief that cheap and cheerful wines decreed acceptable by the Twitterati are bottles only they discovered. In a culture rife with flexing, where elusive bottles garner the most likes, most shy away from sharing their guilty pleasure, or weeknight bottles.
Yet, we all know not everyone is drinking banger status feed worthy wine on the daily.
I asked sommeliers what value picks they enjoy, that they might not always admit to reaching for.
Kali Philp, Marketing Director, Averill Creek Vinyeard
“Chianti Classico delivers consistency and versatility at a low price point. Savouriness in wine is a real pleasure: it makes me want to eat.
For whites: Vinho Verde. Thirst quenching but also food adaptable thanks to plenty of acid and a bit of spritz.”
Olivia Siu, Co-Founder/Digital Creator, Vin Equity
“My selections are pretty alternative and rarely hit under $15. The two wines I will never be caught dead with are Aveleda Vinho Verde and Kim Crawford Sauv Blanc - LOL - they are commercial AF but damn well made ok? Great, now I’ll probably lose all my somm friends, and possibly my job.
I admit all value picks I reach for. Haters can go eat it. Drink declassified wines, drink vin de table, drink wines you can’t pronounce under $20 and make peace.”
Beverly Crandon, Co-founder, Vin Equity
“Truthfully, there is no wine that I drink, whether occasionally or regularly, that I won’t post. I will say that I reach for local wine quite a bit and make it a point to try local wineries that I don’t know. I mean, I got my local banger wines, but I will also try the obscure and post those too. I point out local wines because I have gotten a bit of a ‘there there’ from some wine fellows who would prefer old-world wines, and that’s ok. All I know is that I drink both, and happily so! If I had to give a value pick, I would suggest that people start to drink more Ontario Sparkling Wine. Umm… we make some good shit here … it’s delicious and affordable.”
Jeff Osborne, Territory Manager, Break Thru Beverage Group
“After a long work week I find myself craving and reaching for a Perroni, Steamwhistle (or Aloette Lager last night) to cap the week.
I’ll easily reach for a glass of simple twist top Friuli field blend (Bianco) before digging into something more premium. I would more happily enjoy a bottle of Rosso Di Montalcino than Brunello or Riserva - I just crave the freshness.
The biggest asset on a personal level is sniffing out value on a wine list or in a retail shop. With some direction from Nick at Peter Pantry recently I realized that Joel Wilcox and the team at Fourth Wall wines are producing an incredible Cab Franc at Pearl Morissette at a substantially lower price than the PM label.
I’m not afraid to drink Pinot Grigio (the vodka soda of the wine world) which often hits the spot after a long day. It just needs to be clean, unmanipulated juice ideally from Friuli or Alto Adige.
An every day bottle can be simple. I just look for balance, freshness & ideally organic or otherwise clean production.”
Jonny Bernard, Buyer, Cask and Barrel
“Cono Sur Viognier…
I’ll admit I don’t really go for plonk at home. I drink beer when I want that mindless juice at the end of the day.
For work, however, I take a perverse pleasure in finding that 10-11$ wine that drinks like 18-20$.
That gets a customer trusting you to then introduce them to that 18-20$ wine, and so on.
Great example of this is Nespolino Sangio-Merlot.
I love having things like Spier Chenin to wow someone with at 15 bucks, or when someone comes back having tried Duboeuf Beaujolais for the first time, and they’re now disciples of Gamay.”
Kasra Khorramnejad, Wine Consultant, Elevator Food and Beverage
“I reach for wine from: Rosewood, Koncho and Co, most cheap Rhone.
Sure: they are wines designed to be drank young and most often without food. I think of it as the fast food of the wine scene. They are not meant to be mulled over or romanticized, but can be very romantic. They are every day wines.
I’d say that’s 70% of what I like to drink. Under 20$ and more available. They don’t need decanting and can be crushed on a Bellwoods park bench with a sandwich from Agora.
To me, that’s an ideal wine.”
Debbie Shing, Founder of Quvé and Co-Founder of Vin Equity
“I have no qualms publicly enjoying everyday wines. People who only drink and/or post legendary or cult status wines are either out of touch, afraid of being judged otherwise, or both. These people also willfully ignore the fact that many mainstream wines are very well made and taste good.
Personally, I only get to enjoy big-name labels when I’m lucky enough to be floating around opened bottles. Anyone who thinks working in wine allows you to afford ‘bangers’ on the regular is delusional. I’m lucky to be able to buy myself beers on occasion, let alone vino.
My current favourite go-to wines include regional Portuguese or Spanish reds under $20; Bella, a delightful dry sparkling red wine by Pelee Island - let’s call it local lambrusco; and, insert shameless plug, canned wines like my own company’s West + Wilder, where I can just chill and enjoy a 9oz can without opening or wasting an entire glass bottle.”
