Wine Buying Guide: 5 Tips For Frugal Drinkers
1. If the list is full of trophy wines, beware.
A wine director who is focused on cult Cabs and brand-name Bordeaux may be so fixated on the top of the list that he or she will give the bargain bottles short shrift.
Slideshow: Top 10 No-Fail Tips for Picking a Stellar Wine Off a Wine List
2. Don't be scared of obscure wines.
For some reason, these often dominate the bottom of high-end lists. But do ask the sommelier to tell you about the wine before you order it. (Note: This advice does not apply to South African Pinotage, which I always avoid.)
Slideshow: World's Weirdest Wines
3. Look for young white wines from particular regions.
Italy, Spain, and France offer great values in young whites, especially from little-known areas like the Marches region (Italy), Galicia (Spain), and Bergerac (France).
Slideshow: Fantastic Value Wines
4. Ask about the importer
Before buying an unfamiliar wine from the bottom of a list, ask the sommelier to tell you who the importer is; a few specialize in finding good, inexpensive wines. Some names to look for are Hand Picked Selections, Fine Estates from Spain, European Cellars, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, and Leonardo LoCascio Selections.
Slideshow: 15 Rules for Great Wine and Food Pairing
5. Don't order the cheapest wine on any list in Miami's South Beach district.
Or at least, don't expect it to be a bargain.
Slideshow: 16 Bargain Wines
—Lettie Teague