Walking through a wine aisle in a store is overwhelming. And often people default by choosing a name they know vs what they will really like.

Studies estimate that about half of the US wine market is dominated by three conglomerates, each with an extensive portfolio of brands you have heard of:

• E&J Gallo (the maker of Barefoot, among others)
• Constellation Brands (which includes brands like Woodbridge, Robert Mondavi, and Arbor Mist),
• the Wine Group (which includes brands like Franzia).

No surprise; they are also the wines with the biggest ad budgets so we hear about them often.

Some of these wines are good. But picking by a label you recognize tells you nothing about the taste. It can leave you disappointed. And it often means missing out on great wines.

Look for a small region

Instead of a name brand, look for the region where the wine was produced. Typically the smaller the region, the better the wine.  For example, if it says the region is California, you’ll find the wine is probably made from several different wine regions, meaning the wine needed blending of different varieties to taste better.

Mid-priced is best

Just because a wine is pricey doesn’t mean it tastes good. I’ve had $200+ bottles of wine that taste weak, and way too full of smoke. I’ve also had $3 bottles that are a dream!

Your best bet is to stay in the $20-$30 range. Middle-price range wines usually taste similar to expensive wines.

Choose wines with the foods you have in mind

If you are drinking wine with food, consider what works with the flavors in the food. Typically, a light dish with delicate flavors works with a white or light red. Choose a full-bodied red wine for heavier, meatier dishes. (You can find out more about pairing wine with foods here.)

Next time, I’ll be sharing the basics of wine regions and what they typically produce that people love.