Co-founder of the Australian Sommelier Association, WSET Diploma, member of l’Ordre des Coteux de Champagne

 

The cheapest wines are probably not that great. The most expensive are, well, expensive. The best value for money is often the mid-priced wine that isn’t a familiar name. That’s usually the darling of the sommelier.

 

There might be an underlying logic to the wine list, particularly if it isn’t arranged by price—a good sign. Ask your waiter about how the list is organized. For example, the wines might be ordered from light to strong.  If two wines are the same price, ask how they’re different.

 

Most independent Champagne vineyards sell to big producers like Moët and Veuve Clicquot. But some guys also bottle their own wines, meaning it’s 20 percent cheaper for the same thing as the big names. It’s harder to find here in Thailand, but when you do find obscure Champagne, go for it. 

 

Owner of Wine Garage, partner at Quince

 

Look for a passionate owner or somewhere with a sommelier who knows how to select, procure and explain each bottle. Also, many independent restaurants [those located outside hotels] have moved away from a cost percentage and are instead charging a variable flat fee per bottle. This means you can find greater value in these outlets. 

 

Traditionally, the house wine offers the best value, but this is not always true in Thailand due to taxes and duties. At a lower price point, innovative winemakers can create liquid gems from grapes you’ve never heard of.

 

Take into account the region, vintage and price of the bottle to work out for yourself which offers the best value.

 

Owner of Wine Smart 101, member of the Guild of Master Sommelier

 

It’s been done this way for 10 years in Napa Valley. Bangkok just started two years ago. Categorizing wines by country, region and vintage is not very helpful to the general public; in fact, it’s quite outdated. 

 

It sounds obvious. Great sommeliers want to please their guests, and the ones with extra attention to detail will actually try their best to pair wine with the flavor profiles in the food that you are eating, instead of trying to force you to buy more expensive wines.

 

There are so many nice wines with your desired character that you may not have heard of. If you want to expand your wine exploration, ignore the most expensive and the cheapest wines on the list, because they tend to disappoint.