Shopping for wine can be confusing, tedious and disappointing . . . or it can be fun, enlightening and rewarding. Even a savvy shopper must balance expectations when faced with the realities of what is available. Of course, what is available depends on where you look. Some grocery chains carry a reasonable selection, but don’t expect to find Chateauneuf-du-Pape at the corner market. Because most wines are consumed within 24 to 48 hours of purchase, the chances of finding mature wines at the grocery is unlikely.
The vintage, that is, the year in which the grapes were harvested, reveals how old or how young a wine is. Red wines are typically held at the winery for a couple of years before being released; most whites do not benefit from bottle ageing and have more recent vintage dates when released. Occasionally, due to label design or other marketing ploys, the vintage will be difficult to find. Look harder; it is usually there, somewhere, except in the case of nonvintage products. Most Champagnes and sparkling wines are nonvintage because they are a blend from two or more harvests. Some still wines might also be sourced from multiple years, but rarely. And to be clear, a nonvintage blend refers to the years of the harvests not to be confused with blends made from different varietals.
