Buying wine online has become a rather popular pastime for enthusiasts everywhere as people are realising the great convenience it offers. Besides having a vast inventory to peruse, you will also be able to educate yourself on the many different varieties of wines and which type goes best with certain meals or events. But first, you will have to choose an online wine merchant to conduct your business with.
Buying wine can often be a formidable task, particularly if you aren t sure of the jargon used and how to sort through your countless options. Easily identifying fine wines is an art that takes time to develop, however, in the technological age we live in today, it is now possible to hone your skills and purchase the finest of wines right from the comforts of your own home.
Selecting an online wine merchant that s knowledgeable about their wares and boasts an impressive collection of varieties to choose from is a task not to be taken lightly, especially if this is your first foray into the world of purchasing wines via the Internet. You will also want to choose a merchant who not only has the wines you are looking for, but one that will also be kind to your budget.
You may already have a general idea as to what you re looking for or a few favourite wines in mind, if so, be sure the merchant you choose has plenty in stock at a reasonable cost. With an online wine merchant you will have the opportunity to carefully read the wine s descriptions from the maker and view images of the bottles at your leisure.
Take advantage of any learning tools on the wine merchant s website such as wine and food matching guides and take the time to utilise the knowledge and experience of the company s panel of wine tasters. You will more than likely naturally have many questions.
Some important questions and points to keep in mind when choosing an online wine merchant include:
Are the merchant s prices comparable to the competitions , both online and off?
Are the product categories neatly organised and easy to navigate?
Are advertised wines in stock regularly and is it made well known when quantities are limited?
Are wines stored by the merchant in a climate controlled environment?
Are wine tastings done frequently by the merchant s staff?
Does the company s staff seem knowledgeable about the wines they sell?
Does the website offer full descriptions, images, and guides or helpful hints for choosing various wines?
Does the merchant offer any type of futures program were clients can purchase wines before their regular release?
How does the merchant stay competitive in the global wine market of today? Do they attend tastings and stay abreast of additions
Is the site s collection of wines sophisticated, expansive and offer choices from several regions?
Is there an opportunity to visit the merchant s brick and mortar location for public tastings or to meet with the winemakers themselves or their representatives?
Is the merchant s site secure and take measures to protect your sensitive financial information?
What is the wine merchant s return policy?
What are the merchant s shipping charges and policies?
By keeping the answers to these essential questions in mind when choosing an online wine merchant you will be able to easily find one whose standards are as high as yours are when it comes to fine wines.
Author Resource:
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For wine merchants & importers, he recommends Alexander Hadleigh, a leading supplier of some of the worlds finest wines: http://www.ahadleigh-wine.com/