These are the favorite bargain wines of top sommeliers
Which wine should you buy if you’re stingy but still want to appear generous? Or if money is tight but you still want to drink something delicious for little money?
These are the favorite bargain wines of top sommeliers
Maaike Kauffman-Kross, former head sommelier at Héroine
“At Aldi, they sell Southern Creek Chardonnay. The ‘regular’ version costs next to nothing (a little over three euros!), but there’s also a prestige cuvée. If you first decant the Southern Creek Prestige Chardonnay, and tell a good story to go with it, everyone will think they’re drinking a fancy Chardonnay. But ha, the wine costs less than five euros! It really does look instantly expensive in a decanter too.”
Isabel van Bueren, formerly head sommelier at Restaurant Hemel & Aarde
“Silvaner from Franconia, Germany. Delicious and simply available at Appie.”
Imil Ayoub, F&B Manager at Masami Restaurant
“Marillier Bourgogne Chardonnay from Dirk. 7.99 euros!”
Wouter van Essen, former sommelier at Wijn- en Eetbar Most
“I’ve often experienced people buying Prosecco and then arriving with the announcement, ‘I brought champagne!’ Maybe it works for you too?”
Nabil Touires, sommelier at Brasserie van Baerle
“Zorzal Pinot Noir from Gall&Gall. Costs 9.79 euros, delicious! Cremant de Bourgogne from Jumbo, a real winner if you like bubbles. Under ten euros and often even cheaper because it’s on sale.”
Ruth Engels, sommelier at INK Hotel Amsterdam
“Top tip: have a simple supermarket or wine-shop Bordeaux wrapped in a beautiful wine bag, or better yet, a wooden case. It will quickly look like quite something.”
Bram Faber, sommelier at Wijncafé Lefebvre
“Joseph Drouhin Rully Blanc, a delicious Chardonnay from famous Burgundy (Nuff said, no?), but from a somewhat less famous village and therefore very affordable. Less than twenty euros for a bottle like that is a bargain.”
Erica Verweijen, sommelier at Aan de Poel
“Go for appellations known for being ‘expensive’ and choose the cheapest producer there, or the entry-level model rather than a premier cru.”
Ivar Roerink, sommelier at Wijnbar Nic & ik
“Choose a winery with a broad range. That way, there are both affordable and expensive wines with virtually the same label. Like my favorite, Von Buhl. A well-known winery from Pfalz whose affordable wines are also incredibly delicious.”
Julian Cleton, sommelier at Wijnbar VinVin
“Perhaps a bit of a cliché, but I don’t particularly need to come across as expensive. You can enjoy the little things too. In summer, that means a lovely glass of Verdejo from Palacio de Bornos (7.40 euros!), at the back of my little garden in my hammock!”
Photo: Isabel van Bueren
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