The higher price of wine makes it taste better

[jeffrey]

One of these researchers is Robin Goldstein, whose paper detailing more than 6,000 blind tastings reaches the conclusion that “individuals who are unaware of the price do not derive more enjoyment from more expensive wine.”

Freakonomics Radio: Do More Expensive Wines Taste Better? - NYTimes.com

[disneysteve]

I've seen numerous tests regarding wine and they all come to the same conclusion. People attribute better taste to more costly wine. In blind taste tests when they don't know what they are drinking, the cheaper wines do just as well, if not better, than the more costly wines. In one test I saw, blindfolded wine experts couldn't even consistently distinguish red wine from white wine. It is all hype and marketing and snobbery. Buy the cheapest stuff you can find that you like the taste of.

[Aleta]

I've seen the same reports on TV and believe them. You should be able to pick up a decent bottle of wine for $10. We go to a liquor store that gets the overages from other stores and have picked up some fantastic wines for $3.99.

[disneysteve]

My mom wanted to get a bottle of wine as a gift but knows nothing about wine, so we went to the liquor store the other day. My wife and I picked out a bottle that was $9.49. My mom thought that was too cheap because she wanted to spend more on the gift but we explained to her just this subject. More expensive doesn't mean better. It just means more expensive. So she will give him the bottle of wine and a gift card to go with it.

[GREENBACK]

There have been other studies done on Vodka and probably other spirits that reach about the same conclusions. Probably be another one soon with New Years Eve approaching. Buy cheap and put it in an expensive bottle and see if their are any critics that catch it at your party.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by GREENBACK

There have been other studies done on Vodka and probably other spirits that reach about the same conclusions. Probably be another one soon with New Years Eve approaching. Buy cheap and put it in an expensive bottle and see if their are any critics that catch it at your party.

Sorry. I have to disagree with this one, and I've seen studies that say the same. Premium ultra-filtered vodkas taste better. I saw one study where they used a Brita filter to further filter cheap brands and after the Brita, they scored better in blind taste tests than before the Brita. It may not be something everyone will notice, and you may only notice it when drinking the vodka straight, but many people, myself included, can definitely tell the difference.

That said, the most expensive brand isn't necessarily the best on a personal level. I happen to not care for Grey Goose. I much prefer Skyy. A bottle of Grey Goose is about $30 around here. A bottle of Skyy is about $15.

I think that once you reach a certain level of quality, the differences between brands become much smaller relative to the price differences. There is a huge difference between Fleishmann's and Skyy but a much smaller difference between Skyy and Grey Goose. At that point, personal preference comes into play a lot more.

[Aleta]

I also think that once you start mixing coctails with Vodka; it almost doesn't matter to the average person. Making a dry martini would make a difference in the taste.

Disney Steve: There are those people who are snobs about wine and do look at the label. It's like drinking Sterling and all the different types of Sterling and prices. I know someone who spends about $25. on Sterling. I've actually had family members that will not let certain members of the family bring wine because they say the people don't know how to buy wine. So, they will ask them to bring along another food item instead. I'm always content with whatever others bring to my home.

[elessar78]

My first lesson in this subject was on a birthday. My family took me out to a high-end restaurant and we were drinking this fantastic Pinot Grigio at the bar waiting for the table. About $7-8 a glass. I was determined to find it and when I finally did in a wine shop. It cost $7 for the bottle!

Second lesson was when my step father retired. His company gives each retiring person (of a certain "rank" in the company) a ridiculous amount of money (four figures) to host a retirement lunch. He's frugal man but since this was use-it-or-lose-it money he bought a pretty expensive bottle of wine at the restaurant (three digits). Honestly, I've drank a lot of wine in my life (although not a connoisseur) and I couldn't tell the difference.

Third point: I fancy myself a tequila connoisseur (I drink it on the rocks, never shots). Marketing plays so much into the perceived taste and cost of tequila. The more popular brands are mass produced and poorly aged. You can get an excellent bottle of tequila for $20 but the well-marketed brands, for the same volume cost 2x-3x as much.

As a frugal drinker, drinking an expensive beverage doesn't get me excited as much as paying little for a fantastic tasting wine or liquor.

[disneysteve]

Liquor prices in restaurants are insane. We hardly ever buy drinks when we go out to eat for that reason. Even a cheap wine like Beringer will be $6/glass. We can get it for under $5/bottle in our local stores. And $10 or $12 for a martini made with maybe $2 worth of alcohol. I'll take some tap water, thank you, then go home and have an after-dinner drink.

[Aleta]

DS: Beringer White Zinfandel is a favorite among women. It does taste differently than most zinfandel's. I agree with you about the prices of drinks at restaurants. They are totally outrageous. We do the same. Will come home and have an after-dinner drink.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Aleta

I also think that once you start mixing coctails with Vodka; it almost doesn't matter to the average person. Making a dry martini would make a difference in the taste.

Generally true. In mixed drinks, I think the quality of the mixers can be even more important than the quality of the vodka. You can foul up even a simple screwdriver by using crappy OJ no matter how good the vodka may be.

[scfr]

The wine fans on the boards may enjoy this:
The Wine Trials

Click on "latest winners" and you'll see many wines under $10, some as low as $5

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

scfr's $5 wine is 3 liters! It comes in a box. I'm going to look for it.

[cptacek]

My friends and I had a wine tasting party one time. A different friend of mine had made me 30 bottles of wine for $90, so $3 a bottle (he wanted the carboy and other stuff that comes with a kit, so I bought the kit, he did the work and kept the kit, and I got 30 $3 bottles wine that tastes AWESOME). I brought that to the party, and didn't tell them that it was homemade. They ranked it right behind a $20 bottle and a $17 bottle, and above all the others.

[scfr]

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

scfr's $5 wine is 3 liters! It comes in a box. I'm going to look for it.

Ah, Joan ... I think I know the wine you are referring to. Unfortunately, it looks like the authors listed the "750-ml bottle equivalent" price. I have enjoyed this particular wine, and the regular price is around $20 for a 3-liter box. It can be found on sale in my area for around $18. Hopefully you haven't wasted any time hunting for it!

[PrincessPerky]

I will ditto the hard stuff makes a difference, though which brand to buy is open to personal tastes.

Plus in some ways what you got in the habit of drinking makes a huge difference, once you train your taste buds on a certain poison it is hard to switch.

Whatever you do though, don't waste brain cells on poor tasting drinks!

When I was waitressing I once messed up a fellows order of Bacardi and coke as Bacardi in coke. He told me that I could pretty much always guarantee no one wanted to 'ruin' Bacardi by drowning it in coke. I kinda disagree, as it was the BEST rum and coke I had ever had. (I didn't want to waste that wonderful drink when I got him a replacement so...little perk of the job I guess)

edit to add - actually I think I am remembering the brand wrong, Bacardi is the brand I drink (drank)..not sure what he ordered? (sad to say it was years and years ago)

Wine on the other hand, I don't like fruity stuff, I do like dry, and red only goes with beef. Other than that, spend what you like. I prefer stores with wine tasting often, preferably the ones that let you taste the 10 and under bottles. Husband memorizes the 'good brands' and we stick with them. (though right now, no spending of that sort is occurring....)

[jerrycates]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Liquor prices in restaurants are insane. We hardly ever buy drinks when we go out to eat for that reason. Even a cheap wine like Beringer will be $6/glass. We can get it for under $5/bottle in our local stores. And $10 or $12 for a martini made with maybe $2 worth of alcohol. I'll take some tap water, thank you, then go home and have an after-dinner drink.

Not a bad idea you have there! Yeah, it is so true about the overrated wine prices. It hits the drinking population. However, it also give us good ideas like you just said. I would rather go home and enjoy a whole bottle than just try to make myself happy with a shot or two!

[couchrobt]

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

I will ditto the hard stuff makes a difference, though which brand to buy is open to personal tastes.

Plus in some ways what you got in the habit of drinking makes a huge difference, once you train your taste buds on a certain poison it is hard to switch.

Wine on the other hand, I don't like fruity stuff, I do like dry, and red only goes with beef. Other than that, spend what you like. I prefer stores with wine tasting often, preferably the ones that let you taste the 10 and under bottles. Husband memorizes the 'good brands' and we stick with them. (though right now, no spending of that sort is occurring....)

I have always liked the whiskey stuff Jack Daniels and Johnny Black. So, I would agree to that. It is hard to switch. Not that I do not like to taste new ones. I enjoy wine tasting myself when I have a chance, who would not? Open to new 'poison' but enjoys the old stuff. Maybe it's just me.

[MrPolarZero]

I have an interesting insight on this one. It's as if the study is saying that the more you are able to purchase higher cost items, the better you appreciate it.

[Frugal]

Ha ha, I found wine for $3.50 at Walmart that actually tasted better than the fancier, higher-priced stuff...and it has risen price in three weeks to $4.00. It's not always the brand that matters, or the price! lol