I’ve been reflecting on our changing wine landscape over the last decade and a big one that comes to mind is availability. Wine is now sold at a wider variety of locations than ever before.

Over the weekend I popped into a gas station and, lo and behold, a very creative wine display was front and centre. After paying my bill and leaving I decided to take a very long circuitous route home in order to drive past as many service stations as I could. To my pleasant surprise, wine was sold in four out of the five that I visited.

But is it good wine?

There is a never-ending argument and discussion about wine quality and prices; as a result, many of these establishments simply buy on price, so they buy (or are sold) the lower-priced wines because they believe that is what their customers will like. The wine industry has no official price segmentation but analysts have been categorising wines in three main groups. They are (from low to high price): Everyday Wines, Premium and Luxury.

Many gas stations focus on offering everyday wines and some will offer lover-priced premium wines. While you will not find luxury icon products, most of the wines available through these channels are good wines. I have picked up a bottle or two and have found wines that are pleasing to the palate.

If the late-night party is going great but the wine runs out, take comfort in the knowledge that many of these wine-selling gas stations are open 24 hours.

Christopher Reckord – Information Technology Entrepreneur & Wine Enthusiast. Send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram @chrisreckord and on Twitter: @Reckord