Nearly half of Brits (47%) claim to be wine connoisseurs – yet a new study by IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition) reveals most of us make common errors when it comes to wine selection, serving and storage.
Seven in 10 (70 %) say they believe traditional wine labels, such as those featuring a French château, indicate a better wine.
And 59 %feel confident they could tell the difference between a £5 and £25 bottle.
But when shown three wine bottles as part of the IWSC’s study, 43% incorrectly selected a £5 bottle with a château-style label as the most premium. Only 18% correctly identified a bottle worth nearly six times as much (£28) as the most expensive.
The research, conducted among 2,000 UK wine drinkers, also found nearly eight in 10 (79%) don’t know the correct temperature for serving wine.
A further 63 %were unaware that white wine should be drunk at between 7-10 degrees, and 58% were unaware the same applies to rosé.
A further 41 %admit they hold their glass wrong (by the ‘bowl’), 38 %have served white wine straight out of the fridge, 29% regularly put ice in white wine, while 21 %admit they fill their glass to the brim.
Almost one in five (19%) think the darker the red wine the better the quality, while 13 %think a heavier bottle indicates a more premium vino.
And when it comes to the cork vs. screwtop debate, 34% believe that a cork is a sign of a quality wine, while 10 %simply think that the more expensive a wine is, the better it will be.
Other faux pas include holding the bottle by the neck when pouring (18%) and putting a dash of lemonade into your wine (16%).
And despite two thirds (66%) saying they’re confident when choosing a bottle of wine in a restaurant, one in 10 (10%) admit to praising a wine they didn’t actually enjoy.
Meanwhile one in five (20%) regularly order the second-least expensive bottle to avoid seeming ‘cheap.’
On average, Brits drink seven glasses of wine a week, spending an average of £13 on a bottle, but are happy to spend up to £32 for a special occasion.
And when it comes to how we store our vino, 21% keep it standing up in a kitchen cupboard, 13 % keep it on the kitchen counter, while a further five %store it in the garage.
The findings come from a survey commissioned by the IWSC – the global benchmark for wine and spirit quality. Its rigorous blind judging method means medals are awarded based purely on taste and quality – with judges never seeing the bottle or label – ensuring no bias or visual influence.
IWSC judge, wine expert, and broadcaster, David Kermode, says: “UK wine drinkers are among the most enthusiastic, so it’s well worth separating fact from fiction, understanding the basics and banishing the myths, to guarantee the best experience. A heavy bottle, a fancy label, or the presence of a cork might give the impression of quality, but they don’t guarantee it. Ultimately, it’s what’s inside the bottle that matters, so understanding how to serve, taste and store wine properly makes all the difference.”
DAVID’S TOP TIPS TO DRINK, STORE AND SERVE LIKE A PRO
- Overlook the label
A traditional label with a grand château might look expensive, but appearances can be deceiving. Great wines often come in simple bottles. Look for medal-winning wines from reputable international competitions such as IWSC – these are often judged blind, purely on taste, by renowned, unbiased tasters.
- Serve wine at the correct temperature
Serving wine too warm or too cold can dull its flavour: red wine should be served slightly cool, at around 12–14°C (not room temperature). For white and rosé: chill to 7–10°C so it’s cold but not ice-cold. Serve a sparkler between 6–8°C for freshness and finesse.
- Hold your wine glass by the stem
This keeps the wine at the right temperature and lets you enjoy the aromas. Holding the bowl warms up the wine and can impact its bouquet.
- Pour less, taste more
Don’t be tempted to pour too much. Fill the glass as far as its widest point – this allows the wine to aerate and makes swirling easier, which enhances aromas and taste.
- Don’t fear the screw cap
Screw tops are not a sign of cheaper wine. Many top vineyards use them to lock in freshness and avoid taint from dodgy corks.
- Experiment with regions and grapes
Don’t limit yourself to the usual suspects. Try unfamiliar grape varieties or lesser-known wine regions – you might discover a new favourite (often at a better price).
- Store wine away from heat and light
Keep wine in a cool, dark place – ideally laying it down if it has a cork. Avoid warm kitchens or fluctuating temperatures and never keep a wine bottle in direct sunlight.
- Avoid adding ice
Ice dilutes the wine and deadens the flavour. Instead, chill your wine in the fridge, use an ice bucket with added water and salt for quicker cooling, or add some frozen grapes because they won’t melt into the wine.
- Avoid needlessly heavy bottles
Bigger is not better so a weighty bottle is not an indicator of a premium wine – it’s the liquid inside that counts.
- What grows together, goes together
When picking wine to pair with food, remember the golden rule: what grows together, goes together. Foods and wines from the same region usually make a great match.
Christelle Guibert, IWSC CEO, says: “At the IWSC, our blind tasting process ensures every wine is judged solely on its merit, without influence from price, label or bottle. This rigorous approach provides those looking to try new wines with a truly reliable benchmark for excellence.”
The IWSC is widely regarded as the global benchmark for quality in wine and spirits, with its medals trusted by producers, retailers, and consumers alike.
Top value IWSC award winning wines:
- Collection Saint Gall Tradition Premier Cru Brut NV, £28.00, available at Marks & Spencer (Gold, 95 points)
- Taste the Difference 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, £22.50, available at Sainsbury’s (Gold, 95 points)
- Extra Special Marques Del Norte 2019, £8.07, available at Asda (Silver, 94 points)
- Estevez Sauvignon Blanc Non-Vintage, £4.99, available at Aldi (Silver, 90 points)
- Wairau Cove Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024, £10.00, available at Tesco (Silver, 90 points)
- Cantine Paolo Leo Primitivo 2023, £13.00, available at Waitrose (Bronze, 88 points)
- Irresistible Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir 2023, £9.00, available at Co-op (Bronze, 87 points)
- Deluxe Sauvignon Blanc 2024, £5.99, available from Lidl (Bronze, 87 points)
- Isula D’amore 2024, £11.50, available at Ocado (Bronze, 86 points)
