Once you have the bottle open, you can evaluate if you actually bought a "good" wine by checking these three physical markers:
Big-name wine regions charge a premium simply for the name on the label. To get the best value, seek out under-the-radar regions that produce world-class bottles at a fraction of the cost: buy good wine
Grab a beautifully complex Pinot Noir from the Finger Lakes of New York or Oregon. Once you have the bottle open, you can
If you are buying wine at a local supermarket, use the "shelf-level" trick to avoid overpriced, mass-produced bottles: Once you have the bottle open
Look for a robust Italian Super Tuscan or a rich red from Paso Robles, California.