Thrifty Wine Buys for the Savvy St. Louis Shopper

St. Louis shoppers are notoriously thrifty, even when times are good. Prices on everything seem to be raising daily, but shoppers in the Gateway City rise to the occasion. Whether you are a visitor or a longtime resident, bargains are always a welcome find. All of the money that you manage to save can be channeled elsewhere, and that translates into a more comfortable lifestyle for you and your family. No longer is thrift considered cheap. Now it’s thought of a smart!

You can shop the fancy wine shops in town, or attend tastings and order your libations at a premium price, but for an interesting, thrifty wine buying experience try some of the following stores. I invite you to go on a treasure hunt to some of the less toney establishments around town where prices are rock-bottom, but the quality is impressive. Happy hunting!

• Trader Joe’s: Charles Shaw is the original “two-buck Chuck.” Now priced around three dollars, it is still a great buy. Others there are well worth a mention, but Chuck is the most famous.

• Aldi: The Winking Owl line, their major offering, comes in several varieties. All are well worth the under-five-dollar price tag. In addition, they carry several imported labels that can easily compete with their higher priced cousins at specialty shops.

• Dirt Cheap: The variety is full, prices are never inflated and the mood is casual. Watch the end-caps for discounted and close-out items. Many treasures lurk there.

• Schnucks: Most supermarkets carry a plethora of wines, but the trick is to look for the grocery baskets parked near the shelved wines that are filled with discontinued wines. They are often marked down to half-price, or less. Also, red and white tags on the shelves that read “discontinued” are a great sign that good bargains are to be found. The size of the wine departments and the offerings vary by store, so visit several. One thing that is the same at every branch, you will receive a 10% discount when you buy six bottles. Look for the six-pack cardboard carry packs in the department.

• Globe Drug: There are several branches of this St. Louis icon in town, but the Soulard branch carries a large variety of unusual, low-priced wines. Low-priced does not necessarily mean low-quality. Going there is like being on a treasure hunt. The stock changes daily, make that hourly, and the décor is rustic, but interesting.

• World Market: The wine department of this well-stocked import store is impressive. The close-outs are my favorite varieties. When I see a great price, I stock up. On occasion, I ask them to hold a case for an hour or so, and go home and take a sip, just to make sure that I want a larger quantity. So far, I have always gone back for the case. Often the labels on the deep-discounts are seasonal.   

• Dierbergs: Here’s a real well-kept secret. Right in the middle of the huge assortment of more expensive labels, you’ll find a store-brand line of wines, Oak Creek, that are delicious and are priced at a very modest $2.99 a bottle. And if you purchase a case, you can get a 10% discount! That’s 12 bottles for around $35. Stock up on your favorite variety, or mix and match, the rice is the same.

Sharing shopping tips is a time-honored St. Louis tradition. Please pass on any suggestions that you deem interesting and helpful, and help continue the tradition.