Reply #16: One thing I have noticed...

[GoCubsGo]

A lot of vendors have various "ratings" posted next to many of their wines and hard liquors. And, they list all the awards won at the various contests. Even Aldi is touting various ratings on their wines.

The ratings from Wine Spectator seem to be the big ones to look for among the wine snobs and their wannabes. And, unfortunately, every time a wine gets a good rating, the price goes up, and the availability goes down. I find them hit-or-miss as far as whether I like the wine, but the descriptions that often come with them are helpful in deciding whether or not to buy them. Sadly, these days, it doesn't matter. All I can afford right now is the $2.65 Winking Owl wines from Aldi. Fortunately, they are drinkable, and in fact, I prefer their Cab and Chardonnay over some of the pricier wines I have had. I am told it's just re-labeled Gallo wines, and I haven't gotten around to test that. I long for the day when I have a job and can afford to try some of the other wines out there...