Rut – a habit or pattern of behavior that has become dull or unproductive but is hard to change.

Do you ever find yourself stuck in a rut? As humans we are creatures of habit. Habits such as teeth brushing, bed making, and exercise aid in discipline and self-care. But sometimes habits can become ruts, leaving us feeling unfulfilled. For example, drinking the same wine over and over can become a rut. Thankfully, the world of wine is vast, making it easy to get out of a rut.

I have been guilty of wine ruts. It is easy to pick up a bottle of wine at the super market while shopping for groceries. I find the bottle I like that goes with most everything and it is value priced. It becomes my “go-to” wine and all other opportunities slowly drift away. I may try another wine from time to time but inevitably I return to my “go-to” wine, I don’t even have to think about it. Does any of this sound familiar?

The good news is wine ruts can be easily overcome. Nielson reports online wine sales are rising. This means more wine consumers are moving out of wine ruts and into exploring wines from around the globe. This makes me very happy. However, too many of you still buy the same wine again and again from your local super market – home of the wine rut because their wine inventory is limited and rarely rotates.

Getting out of a wine rut is easy. I have already suggested one way – engage in online wine shopping. There are many online wine retailers with excellent inventories, many offer discounted or free shipping. Wineries also ship direct to consumers at discounted rates. If the price of shipping is an issue, gather some of your fellow wine rut friends and place an order together. This allows fun exploration with shared shipping costs.

Another way to get out of a wine rut is to purchase wine from a local wine retailer (preferably not a box store). Local retailers can guide you to new wines to try based on your “go-to” wine likes. Furthermore, they tend to rotate their inventory frequently, often times selling smaller or boutique wineries that super markets do not carry.

A final way to get out of a wine rut is to read quality blogs and wine publications. Look for recommendations of wines that fit your tastes and budget then head to your local wine retailer and request the wine, or Google it to locate and purchase.

This concludes a three part series with recommendations of wines to get you out of a wine rut. Sometimes getting out of a wine rut means trying new varietals, other times in means trying new regions or even new producers. Let’s break out of the wine rut with some delicious white wines.

2017 Trivento White Orchid Reserve Torrontes Mendoza Argentina ($11): 85% Torrontes, 15% Pinot Grigio; aromas of white orchid, white roses, honeysuckle, tropical fruit and stone fruit, crisp and refreshing on the palate, light bodied, medium finish. Well distributed. Visit wine-searcher to locate.

2016 Domaine Paul Mas Cote Mas Blanc Mediterranean Sud de France ($12.99): 35% Grenache Blanc, 25% Vermentino, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Sauvignon Blanc; intense notes of white flowers, citrus, stone-fruit, and tropical fruit; high acidity makes this wine crisp and refreshing, easily enjoyable; great with food. Visit wine-searcher to locate.

2017 Gran Passione Bianco IGT Verneto Italy ($13): 80% Chardonnay, 20% Garganega; notes of tropical flowers mingle with orchard fruit, citrus, and under-ripe stone fruit; medium bodied, medium+ acidity, refreshing, round, great with food. Visit wine-searcher to locate.

2016 Vila Nova Vinho Verde DOC Portugal ($11.99): 50% Loureiro, 30% Arinto, 20% Avesso; bright notes of white flowers, citrus juice and zest, and tropical fruit dazzle the senses; on the palate it is light and refreshing, crisp acidity wraps the palate making the mouth pucker; light body, medium finish. Visit wine-searcher to locate.

2016 Brennan Vineyards Lily White Wine Texas USA ($18): 100% Roussanne; white floral notes, citrus, ripe nectarines, tropical fruit; round texture, medium acidity that trails away at finish; medium bodied, clean finish. Visit Brennan Vineyards to purchase.

2017 Dos Cabezas Wine Works White Blend Wilcox Arizona USA ($19): A field blend of 40% Viognier, 20% Malvasia, 15% Roussanne, 15% Picpoul Blanc, 5% Albariño, 5% Grenache Blanc; layers of aromas include white flowers, orange blossom, jasmine, stone fruit, tropical fruit, citrus zest, and a vein of minerality; this wine is undeniable dazzling, the adorable Golden Retriver grabbed my attention, the wine in the glass held it until it was gone, then I shed a tear; dazzling acidity, refreshing, crisp, all you want in a white wine. Visit Dos Cabezas to purchase.

2017 Left Coast Cellars The Orchard Pinot Gris Willamette Valley USA ($18): 91% Pinot Gris, 9% Pinot Blanc; made in the Alsatian style, aromas of white flowers and orange blossoms, tropical fruit, citrus, and orchard fruit; the palate introduces some minerality and wet stone, high acidity, refreshing and refined. Visit Left Coast Cellars to purchase.

2017 Left Coast Cellars White Pinot Noir Willamette Valley USA ($24): 91% Pinot Noir, 9% Pinot Blanc; this is LCC most unique and popular wine; notes of white cherry, nectarine, peach, citrus zest, white flowers, and beeswax entice the senses; on the palate it is crisp and refreshing, an elegant medium bodied wine with medium+ acidity; the pureness of the fruit shines through to the finish. Visit Left Coast Cellars to purchase.

I hope these three lists of wines has inspired you to try something new and get out of your wine rut. Please share with me your thoughts on how you get out or keep out of a wine rut. More suggestions in the fall. Cheers!