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By Mike Muirhead , Sommelier ( ISG , CMS ), CSW
Quality / Price Ratio . QPR . Yummy for my money .
Any way you describe it , this little acronym is behind the purchasing at Banville & Jones Wine Co . Every year , our wine experts and Sommeliers sample more than 1,500 wines from around the globe . There are many amazing wines , but only a small percentage of them fall into what we call great QPR .
So what is Quality / Price Ratio , and how does that help you ? QPR is a marketing term meaning that you get what you want for the price that you want to pay . When we are in the field trying wines , we usually try them “ blind ,” which , in QPR terms , means we don ’ t know the price before tasting . We will analyze the wine , evaluate it , and then come up with a price that we would be happy to pay for it .
This is where QPR comes in . If we think that we would pay $ 15 for a wine , and it actually costs $ 10 , that is great QPR . If we decide that it should cost $ 20 and in reality it would sell for $ 25 , we will probably take a pass on it . This is one of the main criteria of every wine we buy : whether it is $ 9 or $ 90 , we always strive for the best value for our wine dollar .
Gary , Darren , and I travelled to France and Germany on a buying trip last year . When we did the math , we estimated that we had tasted about 800 wines in two weeks ( feel free to insert your “ tough job ” jabs here ). From that trip , we ended up ordering only 15 new wines ! That may sound picky , but it is the QPR test that really narrows the field , and brings the best tasting , and best value , wines home to you . Those wines are now available in our store , and range from $ 11 to $ 60 . Whichever one you choose , we hope that you ’ ll agree that it is worth the money you are spending . We did . �
WHAT DID YOU BRING US ?
Some great QPR wines from our buying trip to Burgundy , France and Prowein , Germany :
Claude Val 2007 6 , Blanc , Vin de Pays d ’ Oc . The “ 6 ” represents the grapes that make up this wine : Vermentino , Chasan , Grenache Blanc , Chenin , Sauvignon Blanc , and Mauzac . This fresh white totally overdelivers . – $ 11.99
Domaine Astruc 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve , Vin de Pays d ’ Oc . As one of our wine experts , Todd Antonation , put it “ it is like the best California wines and the best French wines had an affair and this is the result !” – $ 17.99
Clos de la Roilette 2006 , Fleurie AC . This was one that we struggled with . It is a Cru Beaujolais ( tastes more like a Burgundy ), but it was such great QPR we had to give it a go ! We stock limited quantities , but it is worth it ! – $ 29.99
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