Gen Z Wine Challenge: Amelia, 21

As a 21-year-old Sociology undergraduate at the University of Aberdeen, I tend to fulfil typical student stereotypes when it comes to my wine habits. I drink the cheapest white or rosé available, keeping my usual bottle spend under £7. Whether for a night in with a pal or to pair with a dinner, supermarket Pinot Grigio is yet to fail me.

I’m not embarrassed to say that my choice of wine for Decanter's Gen Z Wine Challenge was entirely motivated by appearance. At home in Edinburgh, I work in a whisky bar with a limited wine stock, so I’m definitely no expert on grapes, tannins or that sort of thing.

Why I chose it

What I can appreciate though, is something pretty. As someone who, before today, would never spend £20 on one wine, I felt I had to stretch the bottle’s usage. By choosing the most aesthetically pleasing bottle, and repurposing it after drinking, it was like doubling the benefits.

I chose M&S for my shopping and beelined straight to the white wines. None of the labels jumped out at me, but I checked out the rosés as I left and was struck by one called Lady A. It had copper detailing and a graffiti-esque butterfly on the front; sleek and minimalist. At £18, I knew this Provence pink was coming home with me.

Always keen to be thrifty, I wanted such a fancy wine to fuel more than a light buzz inside the confines of my flat. So I decided to keep it for Aberdeen’s top night out for alternative students: Krakatoa Karaoke.

As student tradition goes, pre-drinks (or ‘pres’) are a crucial element of a good night out. And as someone known to crack open cheap Pinot Grigio for this purpose, Lady A was certainly classy dance-floor fuel.

What it tasted like

I opened the bottle before I started getting ready and sipped it throughout. It was a themed Valentine’s night at the bar, so my pink wine felt on point. I shared it with my boyfriend and blasted my ‘pres’ playlist, keeping the energy high.

Part of me felt every sip should be savoured more than I would a ‘regular’ wine. I found Lady A crisp, fruity and refreshing – a perfect style to counter how warm I often get while getting ready.

The bottle’s coppery foil nicely mirrored the colour of the wine, and the peach and berry flavours were delicious. As I suspected, the quality difference compared to my usual £7 purchases was clear in taste, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Once finished, I made sure to quickly put my beautiful bottle to work, shaving down a taper and letting the bottle be a candlestick holder. It’s now covered in wax drippings, matching the graffiti-style label.

While I still have a year of skint studying ahead, I’d definitely reach for Lady A again if I had the cash. Perhaps for a special occasion, or as a gift to a friend.

Related articles