If you’re short on cash, luckily your palate doesn’t have to suffer.

In a new book out called Wine Secrets (Quirk Books, $20) I found some great advice for the budget-conscious. It’s simple enough. Just keep an eye on what the top restaurants are pouring by the glass because wine buyers are searching for the best values here. 

You don’t have to dine out regularly to scout for the best values, thanks to Net-wise restaurateurs who post their wine lists online.   This “glass” research is a smart strategy. After all, New Zealand sauvignon blancs and Argentine malbecs were popular in restaurants long before retailers were snapping them up and giving them top-rate shelf space.

So have a go at it and report back some great finds.