Yahoo Lifestyle 
How to pick a good drop this weekend, without breaking the bank
We all want a decent drop when we partake in a weekend glass of vino or two but for many it can be near impossible to strike the right balance between staying in budget and not picking up a bottle of plonk.
It turns out it may be easier than you think, a few handy tips and you’ll be on your way to a wine and dine to die for in no time.
To help you with your boozy browsing Mount Pleasant’s award-winning chief winemaker Adrian Sparks shared his top tips for nabbing a delicious bargain.
What are three easy ways to determine the quality of a wine on the shelf?
Medals on bottles are an easy way to quickly tell the quality of a wine, this means the wines have been judged blind and has been awarded a quality stamp.
Picking well known producers is another easy way, lengthy experience in the industry is good mark of quality.
Shops usually have the better wines higher up on the shelf.”
How important is price?
It definitely plays a part, however in the grand scheme of things it’s not all about quality, some wines are priced based on scarcity and demand.
Also larger companies can make the same quality wine cheaper than smaller players due to economies of scale and purchasing power.
How much is a good amount to spend on a bottle of wine for a dinner party?
Depends on a lot of factors. I would suggest choosing a wine at an amount you feel comfortable spending, and maybe finding out something about it.
Education is excellent when it comes to wine and engaging people.
What is a safe amount of money to spend to guarantee a good wine, without breaking the bank?
The trick is to know what you like and explore from there.
Every now and then you are going to come across something you don’t like but use it as a learning experience, find out why you don’t like it.
It helps to shift you in the directions of wines you do like.
What do you think is the best wine on the market?
Mount Pleasant Old Paddock & Old Hill 2017 Shiraz was NSW Wine of the Year and a steal at $50.
Adrian is Mount Pleasant’s chief winemaker, and his award-winning range nabbed him the coveted 2019 Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year award.
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