What’s a Wine Drinker in the Czech Republic to Do?

I prefer wine. I don’t despise beer, I drink it sometimes, especially dark or amber ale, it’s just that I usually prefer to wine over beer.

The Czech Republic is known for it’s beer – most notably Pilsner Urquell and Budweiser (not to be confused with the American variety), but there are many other Czech beers as well. It has been disputed by no one that the beer in the Czech Republic is excellent.

On my visit to Prague, three times I ordered wine at a bar, restaurant or pub. The price per glass varied from $5 to $10 to $15 dollars, but it mattered not – in each instance, the wine basically sucked. Finally, I gave in and ordered a pint of beer, for about $3. It was far better than any of the wines I tasted (and nearly spit out). In fact, it was delicious.

So, my suggestion, is not to order wine by the glass in the Czech Republic. Go for the beer – it’s amazing.

If you still want wine, order a bottle.

If that’s too expensive, or not your preference, go to a local wine store, or even a supermarket and buy a bottle.

On the lower level, right at a major Prague Metro stop there is an Albert Supermarket (this is the same as the Albert Hein market in the Netherlands). There was a full selection of wines. I chose a local bottle of red – it was cheap – only about $2 or $3. I brought it to my hotel room thinking that, even if I only have one glass, it was well worth it.

How did it taste? Essentially, the same as a Trader Joe’s “2buckChuck,” which is to say it was fine, but I’d probably go up a buck or two next time.

Cheers!