The Art of Choosing Better Wine

Authenticity, craftsmanship, provenance. Discovery, value, satisfaction.

What do we mean by a better wine?

Well, for starters, we don’t mean a higher price tag or a prestigious label. Better wine is about greater enjoyment, deeper satisfaction, and a more rewarding experience in every glass. Whatever the price point. It’s about making informed choices, not just relying on supermarket selections driven by price over quality.

However, given the vastness of today’s wine world, it’s all too easy to feel overwhelmed by it. And perhaps a bit indecisive when shopping there. That’s where we come in. At Mr. Wheeler, we believe that choosing better wine means choosing with confidence—guided by expert insight, an understanding of your own tastes, including your taste for discovery. Whether that discovery is a new addition to your favourites list or savouring a timeless classic, you can be sure every bottle we choose is worth your time.

Because better wine means a better experience. Every time.

What You Get From Mr.Wheeler:

Unique, expressive, artisanal cuvées judiciously sourced, often from family-run producers and bottled on site.
In-depth product knowledge for more informed purchasing decisions.
A reliable delivery service from our tried-and-tested logistics team.
Thorough customer service, care and expertise, all with a personal touch.
Weekly/daily offers for great savings on old favourites and new discoveries.

Better wine for better quality

Despite the term’s subjective nature, better wine refers to that which is sourced from producers who employ certain determining factors into their methodology and in environs which enjoy particularly favourable geological and/or climate conditions. We at Mr.Wheeler choose wines from such producers. Established, family-run estates and vineyards whom we know have fine tuned their craft, ensuring all practices and processes deliver a higher standard of drinking pleasure with every vintage release.

So, whether your preference is red, white, rosé or champagne, you can rely on our in-house experts and vineyard partners to over-deliver on quality, value and enjoyment.

Provenance, heritage & bottled at source

At Mr. Wheeler, 99.5% of our wines are bottled at source. This to say, where they’re grown, vinified and matured. Bottling at source ensures superior quality since it ensures the producer completes a winemaking process over which he or she has retained full control–from vineyard to cork.

On the other hand, many supermarket wines, particularly those at the entry level, are shipped in bulk and bottled on an industrial scale in the country of their destined market. More often than not, this compromises freshness, vibrancy of fruit, and overall character.

Instead, we believe that bottling at source preserves these qualities. That it captures authenticity, supports the craftsmanship of family-owned wineries, and enhances sustainability by creating jobs and opportunities in the wine’s region of origin.

For us, better wine starts with better practices, and bottling at source is undoubtedly one of them.

Provenance, heritage & bottled at source

Understanding the cost of wine

Better wine doesn’t have to mean expensive wine. In fact, there are fantastic sub-£10 options available–if you know where to look (hint: Mr.Wheeler). However, investing just a little more, say between £13 and £18, can significantly enhance quality and enjoyment.

Particularly when you consider that much of the cost of a budget bottle—especially those under £8—goes towards tax, VAT, packaging, marketing, and logistics. Alarmingly, and depending on the ABV percentage, this can leave as little as 70p for the actual wine! So, given that these fixed costs remain the same regardless of price, any extra you spend goes directly into better-quality fruit, a more refined winemaking approach, and the heritage behind each bottle.

While some brands trade on name and perception, choosing well-made wines at a slightly higher price point almost always delivers superior drinking pleasure and value. And not just value for you, but for the dedicated vineyards and winemakers.

Choosing better wine

Whatever your budget, whatever the occasion, we make choosing better wine easy.

And that right choice comes down to three simple factors: preference, occasion, budget. A midweek glass with dinner might call for something light and fresh around £10, while a rich, full-bodied red for a weekend barbecue could be worth a little more. There are no hard and fast rules, it’s just about what your guests will most enjoy.

That’s why our expert team is always on hand to help, offering tailored recommendations to suit your taste and occasion. They’ll build a profile of your preferences as you continue to explore and enjoy wines from our range so that you can refer back to those which especially took your fancy. Or indeed to those that might come in handy again. They’ll also keep you informed about new discoveries, particularly vintages, and great-value finds.

So… need advice? Get in touch or browse our selection today.