Tom Gilbey, known as ‘The Wine Guy’, says good wine does not need to cost more than £50 (Image: Decanteroo/Tom Gilbey)
A wine expert has revealed which we should be buying – and how to make a cheap bottle look more expensive than it actually is.
Tom Gilbey – better known as ‘Tom the wine guy’ – has teamed up with ahead of Valentine’s Day. He believes the biggest misconception about the tipple is that means better quality.
Tom, who has more than 628,000 followers on has spent years working in wine shops and vineyards. He does not advise buying a wine based on the bottle, but urges people to look at the quality of the drink itself.
The sommelier said: “There are some absolute gems in supermarket own ranges and some absolute garbage in brands that are very heavy on the marketing, so you’re spending your money on a fancy label rather than what’s in the bottle!”
Tom pointed out that supermarket ranges typically have much better value bottles, often made by the same producers that are producing bottles that sell for £5 or £10 more because they are familiar.
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And if you’re worried about looking cheap, there is one thing you can do to disguise a cheap bottle of wine to impress your guests. You can buy decanters for cheap prices online or in bargain home stores.
He told us: “If you’re scared about looking cheap you can always pop the wine into a decanter or something for when your friends come over.” It’s a genius way to bin the basic-looking bottles and focus on flavour instead!
As well as taking the focus away from the label on the bottle, decanters can be very useful in other ways. Decanting wine allows it to “breathe” by exposing it to oxygen. This process can help release and soften the flavours and aromas of the wine, particularly in younger wines or those that may be “closed” or tight when first opened.
For some wines, especially bold red wines with high tannins (like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah), aeration helps to mellow the tannins, making the wine taste smoother and more enjoyable.
What’s more, decanters are often made from glass or crystal and can help regulate the temperature of the wine. Some wines may need slight chilling or warming, and decanters make it easier to control the wine’s temperature before serving.
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