Using reviews to help you choose a wine makes a lot of sense. When shopping, 9 out of 10 consumers consult online reviews. In fact, they put a lot of trust in them, and 62% say they would not shop with a company that blocks or otherwise alters customer reviews. This type of word-of-mouth advertising can be great for businesses, too, because it costs nothing. 

When you want to buy a quality wine bottle, finding out what others have to say can help lead you to the right choice. Still, reviews can be confusing and may not always offer the right information. After all, everyone's opinion is different, especially when it comes to consumables. 

That's why it's important to learn how to properly assess and use reviews to assist you with your purchase.

Types of Online Reviews

Not all reviews are equal, which is why you should know there are various types of online reviews you may find. Each one has different characteristics you need to weigh when reading them.

Consumer Wine Reviews

Consumer reviews are those left by people who have purchased a bottle of wine for their own consumption. They are providing their personal opinion about the wine. One thing to note about these types of online reviews is that the basis for what they say comes from their own experience, which differs for everyone. Something they think is wonderful may not be that great to you. While some wine retailers post consumer reviews, more often you will find the next category - professional wine reviews.

Professional Wine Reviews

Professional reviews come from people who have training and experience in wine tasting. They know about the subtleties and various aspects of wine. These reviews may be by critics and sommeliers who share professional reviews as part of their jobs. Some famous reviewers include Robert Parker, James Suckling, Antonio Galloni, and Jancis Robinson - among many more.

Reviews by professionals typically stick to technical aspects and state facts about the wine. They usually lack the personal opinion of consumer reviews, but if they do provide an opinion, they clearly state it is their personal take. They also aim to be more universal so that you can apply what is said to your tastes. Retailers often use professional reviews as one of the criteria when making purchasing decisions.

Verified vs. Unverified Reviews

Consumer reviews may be verified, which means someone authenticated that the person actually purchased the wine. These reviews are often found on retailer websites. You can usually give more weight to a verified review because you know that the person bought the wine and likely drank it.

Unverified consumer reviews lack any authentication. You will find these on third-party review websites. Anyone can leave them. You have no idea of the reviewer's motivation, and there is no real way to know if the person even drank the wine, making these reviews less reliable. 

Tips for Using Online Reviews To Buy the Best Wine Bottle

Not all reviews are equal. Some are highly useful and full of good details, while others aim to make a retailer look better and offer little constructive information. To make it easier to weed through reviews, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Read good and bad reviews. Do not limit yourself to only seeking out the good ones. The bad reviews will offer a lot of helpful information, as well. Try to find a good balance to get a well-rounded idea of the wine. 
• Seek reviews from a variety of sources. As you know, there are various types of online reviews. Make sure you check out more than one type. Go to different sources and read their reviews. Doing so will help you figure out what the truth is and allow you to get the most accurate overview of the wine.
• Don't forget your preferences. If you find a wine everyone raves about, you might be inclined to try it. However, if it is a white wine, but you prefer red, then it may not be the best choice for you. Keep in mind the taste profiles you enjoy and how you will be drinking the wine to ensure you find the right one.
• Consider the reviewer. Who has written the review could impact how they present the information. For example, if the review comes from a customer on the company's website, chances are they would try to keep it positive, even if they weren't completely happy with the wine. However, a professional review will usually be fair and balanced without bias. You also want to use context clues within the review to get an idea of the writer's motivation so that you can decide if it is honest or slanted.

Reading Reviews To Find a Quality Wine Bottle

Reading reviews about wine is a great start to choosing a quality wine bottle. But be cautious about taking all reviews at face value, particularly from non-professional sources like other consumers - there can be a lot of bias within them because consumers have different palates, preferences, or agendas. 

When making a final choice, you should ensure you buy from a company that offers high-quality products. At JJ Buckley Fine Wines, we seek to provide you with the best quality and selection. Whether you want a cabernet sauvignon or a Bordeaux blend, our wine experts can assist you with choosing the one that provides a pleasing flavor to match your taste buds.