Brits baffled by wine myths

Despite being a nation of wine lovers a recent survey by SPAR has found that 7 out of 10 Brits are anxious about their lack of wine knowledge. Over half said their lack of knowledge meant they leave wine related decisions to someone else or they simply choose a brand name they recognise in a effort to avoid being embarrassed.

The top 6 most commonly believed wine myths were:-
1. 65% thought Chablis is made up of different grapes to Chardonnay.
2. 54% thought that the fruit used to describe a wine on its label went into making it.
3. 48% that water is added to grapes to make wine.
4. 43% thought that the older the vintage on a bottle the better the wine is.
5. 35% a wine bottled with a cork is better quality than a wine with a screw top.
6. 32% believed that Bordeaux, Chablis, Champagne, Sherry and Port are grape varieties.

The research also found that as a result of this confusion, wine drinkers are sometimes lulled into a false sense of security; by believing several common wine myths. Such as assuming the fruit used to describe a wine on its label, such as gooseberries or blackberries, went into making it or that wine bottled with a cork is better quality than a wine with a screw top. As an aid to combat these common wine myths SPAR have released some wine top tips.