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 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 value priced bottle I like that goes with everything. 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 without a second thought. Does any of this sound familiar?

Good news – wine ruts can be easily overcome. Nielson reports rising online wine sales, meaning more wine consumers are moving out of wine ruts and into exploring wines from around the globe. 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.

How to Get Out of a Wine Rut

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.

Reading quality wine blogs and publications provide endless ideas for illuminating wine ruts. 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.

Sometimes getting out of a wine rut means trying new varietals, other times in means trying new regions or even new producers. Embrace fall as your “break out of a wine rut” season with these exciting white wines. If any of these wines sound interesting print this list and take to your favorite local retailer or jump on the world wide web for easy access to these wines.

White Wines to Embrace Now to Get Out of a Wine Rut

2016 Bodegas Muriel Pazo Cilleiro Albariño Rias Baixas Spain ($19.99): crisp aromas of citrus, tropical fruit, under-ripe stone fruit, fresh herbs, white floral notes; bright and light on palate, refreshing acidity, lively and delicious; serve chilled as aperitif or with seafood and shellfish. Widely distributed.

2016 Adega Pazos de Lusco ‘Luscos’ Albariño Rias Baixas Spain ($24): 100% Albariño; inviting aromas, herbal, floral, tropical fruit, citrus; crisp acidity, lively, refreshing; enjoy as an aperitif or pair with seafood or shellfish, vegan friendly. Well distributed.

2017 Simonsig Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch South Africa ($13.99): 100% Albariño; a South African classic; tropical fruit notes of guava and kiwi mingle with green melon, lime zest, and grapefruit; crisp round acidity, refreshing and elegant; enjoy as an aperitif or pair with seafood/shellfish. Lovely. Well distributed.

2016 Tempos Vega Sicilia Oremus Mandolas Furmint Tokaji Hungary ($20): dazzling aromas include apricot, pear, lemon curd, honey, white floral notes; honey palate stays crisp with high acidity, dry, elegant, a true show stopper from an iconic winery in an under-appreciated wine region. Enjoy with pasta, quiche, poultry, pork, seafood, or alone. Well distributed

2016 Count Karolyi Gruner Veltliner Pannon Hungary ($11.99): 100% Gruner Veltliner; lemon verbena, citrus, green apple, white pepper, flint; bone dry on the palate, crisp acidity, lean and mineral driven, savory, light body, long finish; pair with chicken, poultry, pork or seafood. Well distributed.

Tio Pepe Fino Jerez Sherry ($16.99): 100% Palamino; complex aromas of apple, peach, lemon, quince, dried floral notes, olive tapenade, salinity, trailing yeast; dry, fruity, moderate salinity, savory, umami driven; pair with cheese, olives, roasted almonds, ham, seafood, and fish. Well distributed.

2017 Matetic Vineyards EQ ‘Coastal’ Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Chile ($19.99): 100% Sauvignon Blanc; complex aromas of fresh citrus, green apple, passion fruit, clementine, peaches, fresh cut grass, herbs, crushed stone, verbena; complex, elegant, crisp acidity, salinity on the palate, lean, focused, long mineral finish; biodynamic; outstanding; pair with cheese, sushi, thai, oysters, ceviche, tuna carapaccio. Well distributed.

2017 Nik Weis Urban Riesling Mosel Germany ($10): 100% Riesling; apricot, fig, citrus, honeysuckle, beeswax, wet stone; crisp acidity with a kiss of off-dry sweetness so faint it takes a second sip to detect it; gulpable, refreshing, lively; pair with spicy cuisine – sushi, Thai, Indian, this is your wine. Well distributed.

2017 Troon Vineyard Riesling Applegate Valley Oregon ($20): 100% whole-grape fermentation Riesling, delicate orange in the glass; inviting aromas of orange blossom, clementine, lemon curd, ripe peach; dry with great body on the palate, whole-grape ferment adds texture and soft tannins to this dazzling white wine; I first tried this wine last year and couldn’t stop raving about it; the 2017 vintage does not disappoint; this is the most interesting wine you will drink – buy it, share it, drink it. Visit Troon Vineyard to purchase this wine.

2016 Real Compania de Vinos Verdejo Vino de La Tierra de Castilla Spain ($11.99): 100% Verdejo; dazzling aromas of ripe tropical fruit, citrus, garrigue, herbs, and almonds; refreshing and crisp, elegant with medium- body; pair with light pasta, poultry, or seafood. Well distributed.

This is the ideal “break out of your wine rut” white wine list. All these wines are affordable, most expensive wine is $24. They span the globe, engaging you in lesser consumed wine regions. It includes many grapes you will love but likely don’t drink frequently. Even the Sauvignon Blanc is unique and different. How often do you drink biodynamic Chilean Sauvignon Blanc? The Troon wine is from a lesser-known Oregon wine region and is both unique and outstanding.  Please try these wines and share with me your favorites.