Fabulous but cheap wines
Blaine
hurtin on their wallets? I think that here would be a good place to get a
running list of things we have tried that are really tasty (let's stay in
the under $15 range). You might want to list its price, where you bought it
(store/city, state) and maybe a review (i.e. description, what you drank it
with etc.)
I'll start:
1.) Rosemount Shiraz (Diamond Label) 2000 Available nearly everywhere in
CA, bought at Costco for $7.49, and Trader Joes for $5.99. It's full bodied,
and as with most Aussie wines it is fruit driven.Still it is nicely balanced
with decent tannins (probably will age a few years). I am still drinking the
same bottling's 1996 vintage that I bought a case of in 1997. The 96' aged
very well, but I think this is drinking nicely now. I recommend drinking it
with bbq or any hearty meat dish.
2.) Protocolo 1999 (From Vino de la Tierra de Manchuela, bottled by Dominio
de Eguren). I've seen around many smaller wine shops, got mine at Tower
Market in SF, CA for $4.99. This is definitely my cheap pick of the year.
I'm guessing that it is primarily tempranillo grapes (Spain's most revered
grape). It's medium bodied with nice tannins that'll dry the tongue slightly
suggesting it could be aged shortly, but why? I bought a case at that
price, and I'll age it only as long as I can keep from drinking it all.
3.) St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc 2000 (Napa Valley) Another great bottling
from what I consider Napa's premier Sav Blanc producer. The 1998 was superb,
and this is almost as good. Available nationwide for around $12--about $4
more than the 98', but after the success that vintage had, what do you
expect. Great food-wine or for newcomers to whites that really want a wine
to discern fruit flavors. Grapefruit stands out on the nose with citrus
flavors throughout the mouthful. Great with any seafood or many Thai dishes.
That's all for now.
Jfaspen
10.99, Good tannins that really open up. I would buy it again.
Jeff
"Blaine" <bfein...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:a6il88$crb$1...@sand.ccsf.cc.ca.us...
Blaine
the far left (the St. Supery), I have had inconsistent results with Geyser
Peak, and I can't even tell what the bottle in the middle is. In the future,
I'll try to include labels to help you find the bottles. Beverages and
more's website is a good source for the pictures (www.bevmo.com) They also
have a decent selection that they ship to many states.
Scott O'Kirkland
> hurtin on their wallets? I think that here would be a good place to get a
> running list of things we have tried that are really tasty (let's stay in
> the under $15 range).
Leslie Sbrocco of the NYT just did an article on great wines $10 and under:
"1999 Bolla, "Tufaie," Soave Classico Italy
$ 10 – Think of Soave as a bland, boring white? Don’t. This full-bodied
winner has personality to spare, serving up floral aromas, ripe melon
flavors and a nutty complexity. Vibrant yet rich, it’s an ideal foil for
pasta in a cream sauce.
2000 J. Vidal-Fleury, Cotes-du-Rhone Blanc France
$ 10 – Cotes-du-Rhone Blanc is the flip side of the Cotes-du-Rhone coin.
This white version sports an appealing rustic quality delivered in the form
of allspice aromas and dried apricot and peach flavors. Try sipping with a
spicy sausage sandwich.
1998 Concannon, Cabernet Sauvignon, "Selected Vineyard"
Central Coast, California
$ 10 – Food-friendly cabernet that is sure to convert merlot lovers to the
dark side. Deep in color and powerful, it manages to combine softness and
fruitiness with sturdy tannins. Pair it with grilled steak or a juicy
burger.
1998 Monte Antico, Toscano, Red Wine Italy
$ 10 – If you like Chianti, get your hands on this wine. Produced from
sangiovese grapes, this vanilla and berry-scented red is both fruity and
earthy. It has the acid to complement anything in a tomato sauce and makes
pepperoni pizza sing. "
I haven't tried any of those but generally like her recommendations. I can
tell you that I was very impressed with an $8 1998 Rodney Strong Cab. Sav.
and a $10 Mondavi Coastal Cab. Sav. recently.
Scott O'Kirkland
Anapamu Pinot Noir from CA Central Coast for about $12, and Louis Jadot
Beaujolais, around $8.
"Scott O'Kirkland" <kirk...@forpresident.org> wrote in message
news:u8q3uaj...@corp.supernews.com...
Eric White
wrote:
I'll pipe up with a few.
To reiterate an earlier post in another thread, the 2000 Borsao (as
low as $5) and the 2000 Borsao Tres Picos ($8) (both from Spain) are
phenomenal values, excellent wines for that keep you reaching for
another glass.
If you like rich, powerfull Shiraz, try the Marquis Philip 2000 Shiraz
or 2000 "Sarah's Blend" (both from Australia) Excellent vlaues at
$12.00.
For a good Zinfandel at a good price, I like the 2000 Bogle Old Vines
Zin - terrfic value at $8.00 (California, Central Valley).
For a Malbec, I found the 2000 Don Miguel Gascon (Argentina) to be a
great value at $9.00.
An interesting wine, the Fontsainte 1999 Corbieres (France, almost all
Carignan, I understand) is a good value at $9.00. Very warm, earthy,
comforting wine.
Eric
Vlad the Inhaler
Greg Norman Cab/Merlot blend $15
Full bodied and quite complex with firm, supple tannins. Beats the socks off
of many $30+ Napa cab's I've had.
Stoneleigh Marlborough(sp?) Sauvignon Blanc $11
A very tasty, very passion fruity SB. Minimal 'cat piss' and grassy/herbal
notes, just the way I like it.
Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zin. $7
Good every year. Has basic varietal character, and is always fairly well
structured.
Falesco Vitiano $8
Parker gave this 91pts, which a little over the top in my opinion (and
others..). Its not refined and has no aging potential, but its very dense
and concentrated with tons of black fruit, licorice, and wood.
-Vlad
Vlad the Inhaler
"Eric White" <Zinf...@home.com> wrote in message
news:3c8d2545...@netnews.attbi.com...
> On Mon, 11 Mar 2002 08:15:12 -0800, "Blaine" <bfein...@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
> I'll pipe up with a few.
>
> To reiterate an earlier post in another thread, the 2000 Borsao (as
> low as $5) and the 2000 Borsao Tres Picos ($8) (both from Spain) are
> phenomenal values, excellent wines for that keep you reaching for
> another glass.
>
> If you like rich, powerfull Shiraz, try the Marquis Philip 2000 Shiraz
> or 2000 "Sarah's Blend" (both from Australia) Excellent vlaues at
> $12.00.
>
> For a good Zinfandel at a good price, I like the 2000 Bogle Old Vines
> Zin - terrfic value at $8.00 (California, Central Valley).
Dunno why I forgot this producer in my own post. Everything I've had from
Bogle has been tasty with great QPR, especially their Petite Syrah and
Merlot, both under $10. I've not had their Cab yet.
-Vlad
Scott O'Kirkland
Limestone Coast CabSav/Merlot blend. About $14.
"Vlad the Inhaler" <vlad_inha...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:a6jbpr$8l0$1...@slb3.atl.mindspring.net...
TJP
Santa Cristina, Sangiovese
$12-13
"Blaine" <bfein...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:a6il88$crb$1...@sand.ccsf.cc.ca.us...
chamberlain
Sweet aussie style syrah...bright sweet red fruit with
briary finish with little complexity, but very satisfying
to sip
1999 Domaine de Montzepat Merlot(Vin de Pays) $7
A grrreat bottle of inexpensive juice. Long long palette,
real complexity...but not a whole lot of structure.
Beautiful with food or to sip...2000 just released has same
flavor components, but is short on the finish.
1999 Malesan Bordeaux $6.50
I bought this on a wimb. The last vintage of this wine
I drank was the '90 and then only because the distributor
recommended it being special due to the vintage. Was the
best Bordeaux value I've ever purchased.
This vintage is not as big as the '90, but is a beautiful wine
to enjoy. Has all the ingredients that make a good claret...
complexity, balanced evenly thru the palette, great nose, and
just enough oak to give all the components that familial shade
necessary to harmonize any good grape juice.
I'm buying a couple cases.
"TJP" <ard...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:a6jpa7$8s9$1...@slb1.atl.mindspring.net...
jim schulman
I drink maybe five to ten bottles a year of expensive wines, and
everyone and their grandmothers are reviewing them. I drink a couple
of bottles a week of cheap wines, but it's much harder to find
reviews. Of course, it's a lot more fun to talk about the great wines,
and if someone were sending me freebie wines to review, I'd request
the fancy ones too.
Here's my cheap rave of the week:
Spanish(!) Gewuerztraminer: Enate Somontano 2000 ca $12. A little
dryer and lighter bodied then Alsations, massively fruity with nicely
balanced slightly bitter spice flavors. My "wine guy" at the Chalet
(Hyde Park, Chicago, same people as Sam's on the northside) said it
won their in store tasting, and he's right.
Had it with pork tenderloin medallions in mole' sauce, crisped greens,
corn and red peppers. Went great!
On Mon, 11 Mar 2002 13:12:59 -0700, "Scott O'Kirkland"
<kirk...@forpresident.org> wrote:
>
>"Blaine" <bfein...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:a6il88$crb$1...@sand.ccsf.cc.ca.us...
>> Anyone try anything that really blew their socks off, yet didn't put a
>> hurtin on their wallets? I think that here would be a good place to get a
>> running list of things we have tried that are really tasty (let's stay in
>> the under $15 range).
>
--
Jim Schulman
Dale Williams
writes:
>
>Best Cheap Drinking Wine:
>
>Santa Cristina, Sangiovese
>$12-13
>
I agree the Santa Christina is a good buy (it's an Antinori), but I hope those
are Canadian dollars- I pay $7.49.Light-bodied, lots of fruit, pretty good
acidity, food-friendly
My favorite under -10 USD wines (all prices Rochambeau, Dobbs Ferry, NY)
Red
99 Cline CA zin ($9),Lively, enough tannins to stand up to a big piece of meat
or sit in cellar couple years, dried fruit flavors,
2000Borsao ($5.49)- nice light red, have not tried its big brother (Tres
Picos), but will
Jaboulet Paralelle 45 ($7.49)- try to find the 98, it's better than 99. But
this is a QPR winner most years. Medium bodied, lightly oaked, surprisingly
opulent for the price. Flavors of red berries and chocolate. In a good year can
age well too.
Penfolds Koonunga Shiraz/Cab ($10) - Nice syrah spice, nice cabernet
(blackcurant) fruit. Now or for cellar.
There are a lot of other Cotes du Rhones right around the $10 mark (Perrin, St
Cosme, St. Roch) that offer excellent QPR>
Whites:
I have fewer whites I can rec without reserve for under $10 (but lots in the
10-20 range). But you can try :
Antinori Campogrande Orvieto ($7)- nice & fruity, clean and balanced
Cave de Lugny ":Les Charmes" Macon-Lugny($7) - nice Maconais, clean chard
fruit- very good for a co-op effort
Sauvion Muscadet ($6)(in general muscadets offer pretty good value- look for
sur lie on label)
RH Phillips Chard ($7.49) - if you like the KJ reserve style, this is actually
a better wine for 2/3 price IMHO
HTH,
Dale
Dale Williams
Drop "damnspam" to reply
Dale Williams
the house. But sometimes the racks (I have racks for about 30 bottles at home,
cellared wines are at a nearby location) get filled woith other wines. Betsy
says "why are you buying wines when there are so many sitting there?" So
sometimes it's time to have a week or so of intensive rack-clearing.
(note re grades- I'm a pretty easy grader- A is excellent, B is good, C is
truly mediocre. C- or below means it goes down drain)
Friday night had a couple of friends over. Managed to move 3 wines off the
rack:
99 Pelle Morugues Menetou Salon- a nice clean Loire, medium-bodied, with a hint
of chalk and vivid floral/gooseberry notes. B+ Served with assorted nibbles
such as shrimp, smoked salmon., and prosciutto with fig & parmesan (note I
didn't use spellchecker here, sorry to those who like their fig with
prostitute). Maybe not the ideal combo for this variety, but I was determined
to use up wines I had sitting around, instead of my last bottle of NV vintage
champagne.
99 Michel Gros Bourgogne Rouge ($14): I know that sometimes I hesitate before
buying basic burgs, but there are some out there that compare favorably with
the competition (competition I guess being under $20 US PNs). This is one of
those. Nice cherry fruit, medium body, fairly long finish. I'd say not one to
cellar, but an enjoyable drink right now. B + . Went well with a roasted
chicken (well-seasoned with Mediterranean herbs).
1994 Villa Pillo Vin Santo- nice vin santo, typical nut and orange peel
flavors, but a bit simple. OK for dunking biscotti. B
Saturday Betsy was playing Porgy & Bess, I stayed home at night (after an
afternoon tasting at Zachy's, where I only bought 2 bottles- determined to
lower total number of bottles in my "inventory"). Had to pick up the 13 yr old
after a party, so limited myself to the remaining glass of Menetou. No surprise
it had become somewhat muted, the gooseberries taking a backseat.
Sunday Betsy played the matinee, so it was my night to cook. Went for a new
recipe, stracotto (braised beef, called for veal roast, but local market ran
out). Was tempted to go for a nice Rhone or Italian, but reminded myself of my
plan. So another single bottle was opened, this one a CA merlot someone had
brought to a party. Now I confess I have a real prejudice against under-$25 Ca
merlots. There's a few I find at least drinkable (Rutherford Hill maybe), but
for the most part I find them thin and , well, insipid. If I want merlot fruit
I do far better with right-bank Bordeaux. But I decided to finally rid my rack
of the 1999 Bocage (San Saba Vineyards) Merlot, Monterey. Ok, it wasn't what I
expected (or feared) - characterless CA merlot. . But I can't say I was that
fond of it. Surprisingly hard tannins,fairly high acidity.The fruit (plum and
black cherry) was pretty subdued, not up to the tannins. B-
Monday I used up another leftover from a party. We were going to dinner at
friends' (not real wine people), they asked us to bring a white. What else
should I get rid of? How about a 1999 King Estate Pinot Gris? Can't say I've
had great luck with Oregon whites, this didn't break my streak.Nice nose of
flowers and citrus, but the taste was less thrilling. A bit off-dry, with melon
flavors and a touch of oak, it was flabby and soft. It left me wishing I had a
nearby wine store to run to. C+
OK, so I used 5, only bought 2. Means I can go buy 3, right (too bad re that
1981 Lopiac- was gone when I went back- I must remember any time I consider
buying a new unusual $8 wine, to go ahead - not enough downside if it's not
good).
Michael Pronay
> Spanish(!) Gewuerztraminer: Enate Somontano 2000 ca $12. A little
> dryer and lighter bodied then Alsations, massively fruity with
> nicely balanced slightly bitter spice flavors. My "wine guy" at the
> Chalet (Hyde Park, Chicago, same people as Sam's on the northside)
> said it won their in store tasting, and he's right.
A few years ago a German collegue of mine, Mario Scheuermann,
organised a Traminer/Gewürztraminer tasting, featuring some 80 wines,
in Styria, 2 hrs drive south of Vienna. Unfortunately I do not
remember the name, but my highest marks on the dry side went to a
Somontano Gewurz. I remember having been absolutely stunned at the
time!
M.
Santiago G.H.
67468.news.dfncis.de:
>
> A few years ago a German collegue of mine, Mario Scheuermann,
> organised a Traminer/Gewürztraminer tasting, featuring some 80 wines,
> in Styria, 2 hrs drive south of Vienna. Unfortunately I do not
> remember the name, but my highest marks on the dry side went to a
> Somontano Gewurz. I remember having been absolutely stunned at the
> time!
>
> M.
M.,
It could be Enate or Viñas del Vero. Other wineries as Bodega Pirineos have
a gewurz but not so good.
Best,
Santiago
Michael Pronay
> It could be Enate or Viñas del Vero.
Thanks for the hint. I think it was Enate, but I'm not 100 % sure.
Anyhow, the wine is not commercialised in Austria.
M.
Santiago G.H.
67468.news.dfncis.de:
>
> Thanks for the hint. I think it was Enate, but I'm not 100 % sure.
> Anyhow, the wine is not commercialised in Austria.
That's a pity. Enate is making some of the finest wine in Spain right now.
Perhaps their only problem is that they use almost exclusively
"international" grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon (Enate Reserva,
Enate Reserva Espacial), Merlot (Enate Merlot-Merlot and in coupages with
Tempranillo and Merlot for Enate Crianza and Enate Unico), Chardonnay (in
Enate 234 -unoaked- and Enate Chardonnay Fermentado en Barrica -oaked-) and
the mentioned Gewurztraminer.
This way, they do have to compete as "yet another producer of widely spread
varieties" instead of competing as a "great producer from Spain". If anyone
has access to their wines, their Enate Unico is a good but cheap wine,
coupage of Cab and Merlot, with a small time in barrels (4 months) that
makes a very nice drinking. Retails at Eur 5 in Spain. Enate Crianza
(Cabernet and Tempranillo if memory serves) also is a nice cheap wine, at
about Eur 6,5 in Spain.
Best,
Santiago
Ryan
$5-6, I suggest a step up to the Abadia Retuerta "Rivolo". You can
find it from $10-11 and it is an excellent buy for it's price. Also,
for $6 (Trader Joe's) look for Osbourne Solaz. It is a good buy -
need to let it breathe a bit, but once it's mellowed, what a great
deal!
Ryan
Livendive
> wrote:
>
> I'll pipe up with a few.
>
> To reiterate an earlier post in another thread, the 2000 Borsao (as
> low as $5) and the 2000 Borsao Tres Picos ($8) (both from Spain) are
> phenomenal values, excellent wines for that keep you reaching for
> another glass.
>
> If you like rich, powerfull Shiraz, try the Marquis Philip 2000 Shiraz
> or 2000 "Sarah's Blend" (both from Australia) Excellent vlaues at
> $12.00.
I received the Marquis Philip 2000 Shiraz as part of a mixed case my parents
gave me for Christmas and drank it a couple weeks ago. I concur that it was
very rich and at that price an excellent value. I'll be looking for where I
can get a case now.
For another very drinkable inexpensive wine, Liberty School cab.sauv. from
Treana winery in Paso Robles ain't half bad. I think I pay about $10-$12
for it.
Blue skies,
Dave
Eric White
wrote:
>
>"Eric White" <Zinf...@home.com> wrote in message
>news:3c8d2545...@netnews.attbi.com...
>> On Mon, 11 Mar 2002 08:15:12 -0800, "Blaine" <bfein...@yahoo.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> If you like rich, powerfull Shiraz, try the Marquis Philip 2000 Shiraz
>> or 2000 "Sarah's Blend" (both from Australia) Excellent vlaues at
>> $12.00.
>
>I received the Marquis Philip 2000 Shiraz as part of a mixed case my parents
>gave me for Christmas and drank it a couple weeks ago. I concur that it was
>very rich and at that price an excellent value. I'll be looking for where I
>can get a case now.
>
just an FYI, both these wines can be found at www.supercellars.com for
$11.99/bottle.
<no affiliation, no financial interest, blah blah blah - but it is a
remarkably good place to buy - shipping via FedEx at only $.99/bottle>
>
>Blue skies,
>Dave
>
Eric
P.S., your email looks awfully familiar - are you in the California
Scuba community by chance?
Livendive
> On Wed, 13 Mar 2002 16:33:10 -0800, "Livendive" <live...@aol.com>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Eric White" <Zinf...@home.com> wrote in message
> >news:3c8d2545...@netnews.attbi.com...
> >> On Mon, 11 Mar 2002 08:15:12 -0800, "Blaine" <bfein...@yahoo.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> If you like rich, powerfull Shiraz, try the Marquis Philip 2000 Shiraz
> >> or 2000 "Sarah's Blend" (both from Australia) Excellent vlaues at
> >> $12.00.
> >
> >I received the Marquis Philip 2000 Shiraz as part of a mixed case my
parents
> >gave me for Christmas and drank it a couple weeks ago. I concur that it
was
> >very rich and at that price an excellent value. I'll be looking for
where I
> >can get a case now.
> >
> just an FYI, both these wines can be found at www.supercellars.com for
> $11.99/bottle.
>
> <no affiliation, no financial interest, blah blah blah - but it is a
> remarkably good place to buy - shipping via FedEx at only $.99/bottle>
Thanks...I'll go have a look around.
> P.S., your email looks awfully familiar - are you in the California
> Scuba community by chance?
Nope. I'm into WA skydiving (though I travel every year to jump in CA, ID,
MT, etc...)
Blue skies,
Dave
Gloria
"Santiago G.H." <san...@correo.uniovi.es> wrote:
> Enate is making some of the finest wine in Spain right now.
> Perhaps their only problem is that they use almost exclusively
> "international" grape varieties [...]
Why would you qualify that as a "problem"? ;-)
That's a facetious question. I know why you say that, and you're right
in a sense. There are terrific autoctonous varieties in Spain that are
more than worthy of recognition, but if Enate has chosen more
"mainstream" varieties and is creating quality wines with them, GREAT!
Maybe the value of this strategy, especially outside of Spain, is that
someone drinks their Gewurtz or Merlot, loves them, thinks that Spanish
wines are the bomb, and next time decides to try something more
esoteric, like a Verdejo.
Well, this might be a far-fetched scenario, but with so much horrid and
expensive wine in the world, it is great that this winery is turning
out excellent and affordable wines, whatever their winemaking
philosophy is.
G
Braaivleis
wine. I prefer the competitions as it is a large group blind tasting
not a small group being snobby about cheap wine.
LA County Fair a big all of the Americas competition
http://www.fairplex.com/fair/wine/winecompawards.htm
SF Chronicle Wine Competition
http://www.winejudging.com/medal_winners_2002/index.html
The 1999 Woodbridge Merlot is under $10 or under $15 for 1.5l magnum @
Costco this is a Wine Enthusiast Best buy and a really nice smooth
drinking Merlot.
Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio Cavit Collection 2001 around $10 Magnum at
Costco a very nice easy drinking Pinot Gris.
2001 Concha y Toro 85% Cab 15% Merlot when allowed to breath had a
really full/Big balanced flavor and was one of the nicest inexpensive
wines I've drunk in a long time. $8 magnum Costco
Perrin Reserve Cotes Du Rhone Red Wine $8 Costco a nice drinking
French red very well balanced an excellent value if you like this kind
of wine. Two magazine reviews on
http://www.vineyardbrands.com/winereviews/WineReviews_SearchResults.cfm?wine_name=C%F4tes+du+Rh%F4ne+Rouge&vintage=1999&supplier_name=Perrin+Reserve&source=All
Santiago G.H.
news:130320021829269213%glo...@forpresident.com:
>
> Why would you qualify that as a "problem"? ;-)
Hi Gloria,
Think we have discussed this in e.c.g. but, anyway, it is not a problem for
me at all and I am a regular buyer of Enate wines. Can't think of other
single winery in Spain with such a high qpr.
In my reply to M's post, I wanted to point out why it could be difficult to
find their wines in Austria (or other foreign markets for the matter). Even
if they make great wine, there is a an incongruence between the brand
"Spain" and the brand "Enate". Spain as a brand in the wine market is
perceived mostly due to the experience with classic Rioja, a bit of Ribera,
and Xerez. Don't take me wrong, I assume that the regular reader of a.f.w.
goes well beyond, and could recognize several interesting wine styles
inside Spain. But the market, as a whole, is not well represented by a.f.w.
readers and, so, Enate could be perceived as another wine producer of
widely spread varieties. And there is a tough competition out there in this
market. Nothing wrong with that, just that I think it could be easier to
get recognition with tempranillo than with cabernet sauvignon, being a
winery from Spain. For sure, I could be wrong :-)
>
> That's a facetious question. I know why you say that, and you're right
> in a sense. There are terrific autoctonous varieties in Spain that are
> more than worthy of recognition, but if Enate has chosen more
> "mainstream" varieties and is creating quality wines with them, GREAT!
You won't hear me regretting. I love their wines, and they have saved many
dinners when the only interesting wine in the wine list was a Enate.
> Maybe the value of this strategy, especially outside of Spain, is that
> someone drinks their Gewurtz or Merlot, loves them, thinks that Spanish
> wines are the bomb, and next time decides to try something more
> esoteric, like a Verdejo.
I hope they don't. I love Verdejo and couldn't resist if they get so much
recognition that they become cult wines <g>
Best,
Santiago
Simon Woods
news:64cf2b0a.0203...@posting.google.com...
> On the Spanish frontier, if you like the Protocolo and Borsao, for
> $5-6, I suggest a step up to the Abadia Retuerta "Rivolo". You can
> find it from $10-11 and it is an excellent buy for it's price. Also,
> for $6 (Trader Joe's) look for Osbourne Solaz. It is a good buy -
> need to let it breathe a bit, but once it's mellowed, what a great
> deal!
>
Still on the Spanish front, I'd add the cheaper wines from Capcanes in
Tarragona-Falset (or Montsant as it has been since late last year). The
expensive ones are great, but they are, er, more expensive. On the French
front, the Languedoc is packed with value. For consistency, Pic St Loup
(sub-zone of Coteaux du Languedoc) is a great place to start.
Simon
JimSchulCh
>Gloria <glo...@forpresident.com> wrote
>> Maybe the value of this strategy, especially outside of Spain, is that
>> someone drinks their Gewurtz or Merlot, loves them, thinks that Spanish
>> wines are the bomb, and next time decides to try something more
>> esoteric, like a Verdejo.
>
>I hope they don't. I love Verdejo and couldn't resist if they get so much
>recognition that they become cult wines <g>
>
>Best,
>
>Santiago
Too late. I don't know what Verdejo is, but I'm getting some on my next wine
store trip.
BTW, about the internationalization of Spanish wine making: I'm not a great fan
of tempranilla/Rioja, but I love the Granachas (sp?), Monastrell/Mourverdre,
and whatever's in Ribiero del Dueros(sp?). Do you consider these international
grapes? My impression is that Spanish winemakers have been using these a long
time.
Jim Schulman
Santiago G.H.
news:20020314095227...@mb-mf.aol.com:
> Too late. I don't know what Verdejo is, but I'm getting some on my
> next wine store trip.
Ok, then make sure you get some tips:
Bodegas Dos Victorias "José Pariente" 2000. D.O. Rueda Superior
Bodegas Alvarez y Diez "Mantel Blanco" 2000 D.O. Rueda Superior
"Mantel Blanco F.B." 100% Verdejo Barrel Fermented
Belondrade y Lurton "Belondrade y Lurton Fermentado en Barrica" 1999 100%
B.F. Verdejo
Bodegas de Crianza de Castilla La Vieja, S.A. "Palacio de Bornos Vendimia
Seleccionada" 1998 (Barrel Fermented Verdejo)
Bodegas Cerrosol "Doña Beatriz" D.O. Rueda Superior.
>
> BTW, about the internationalization of Spanish wine making: I'm not a
> great fan of tempranilla/Rioja, but I love the Granachas (sp?),
> Monastrell/Mourverdre, and whatever's in Ribiero del Dueros(sp?). Do
> you consider these international grapes? My impression is that Spanish
> winemakers have been using these a long time.
I don't think garnacha and monastrell are so widely spread as Cabernets,
Merlots and Chardonnays (but I could be wrong). Most important, they have
been planted in Spain for centuries (and I don't think Cabs, Ms and Chards
are).
Riberas are mostly "Tinta del país" which is the same grape (perhaps
different clon) that Tempranillo. Tempranillo is also known as Tinta del
Pais (Ribera del Duero), Tinta de Toro (Toro), Ull de Llebre (Penedes and
Cataluña) or Cencibel (La Mancha).
Best,
Santiago
Simon Woods
JimSchulCh <jimsc...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020314095227...@mb-mf.aol.com...
> BTW, about the internationalization of Spanish wine making: I'm not a
great fan
> of tempranilla/Rioja, but I love the Granachas (sp?),
Monastrell/Mourverdre,
> and whatever's in Ribiero del Dueros(sp?). Do you consider these
international
> grapes? My impression is that Spanish winemakers have been using these a
long
> time.
>
Hi Jim
Ribera del Duero is made from at least 75% Tempranillo, so maybe you've just
had the wrong Riojas. As for Garnacha and Monastrell (and I'd add in
Carinena), Spanish winemakers have been working with these for ages, but the
styles of wines they're producing now are quite different from those of 15
years ago. You only have to compare old style and new style Priorat to see
that.
As for them being international grapes, I'd say that in most of their
Spanish incarnations, they taste of Spain rather than being 'International'.
That is my gripe with the producers in Somontano. Their wines are good, but
they taste as if they could have come from anywhere. And if they taste as if
they could have come from anywhere, why should I drink them when cheaper
wines of the same quality and virtually the same flavour can be found?
Simon
Eric White
>On the Spanish frontier, if you like the Protocolo and Borsao, for
>$5-6, I suggest a step up to the Abadia Retuerta "Rivolo". You can
>find it from $10-11 and it is an excellent buy for it's price. Also,
I would second the Rivolo - I purchased as a result of your
recommendation on the Cheapwine list, and it is and excellent value.
Reminds me, I must get more :)
Eric
JimSchulCh
>Hi Jim
>
>Ribera del Duero is made from at least 75% Tempranillo, so maybe you've just
>had the wrong Riojas. As for Garnacha and Monastrell (and I'd add in
>Carinena), Spanish winemakers have been working with these for ages, but the
>styles of wines they're producing now are quite different from those of 15
>years ago. You only have to compare old style and new style Priorat to see
>that.
>
Thanks (to you and Santiago) for the info. I started on Spanish Garnachas very
recently while looking for an inexpensive substitute for dark/leathery
burgundies. Some of them, including the amazing $7 Vina Alarba and the Onix
Priorat had that, others I tried, like the Borsao and Vega Sindoa El Chaparall,
were softer, fruitier and less to my taste. Is this the difference, or is it
something else?
>As for them being international grapes, I'd say that in most of their
>Spanish incarnations, they taste of Spain rather than being 'International'.
>That is my gripe with the producers in Somontano. Their wines are good, but
>they taste as if they could have come from anywhere. And if they taste as if
>they could have come from anywhere, why should I drink them when cheaper
>wines of the same quality and virtually the same flavour can be found?
>
I'm not sure that's true in the U.S. I'd be hard put to find a $12 Gewurz that
would be as good as the Enate. Some of the Enate reds Santiago listed sell at
$7 to $9 at my wine store - not much higher than their price in Spain. If
they're as good as the Gewuerz, they'll be joining my cheap treasures
shortlist.
Jim Schulman
Dale Williams
here. And the regular Abadia Reteurta is pretty good at $14/15. Has anyone had
their cheapest wine, Primicia? Just grabbed a bottle of the 1999 for $7, will
try next night wife is home.
Gloria
and ocassional wine consumer. One thing i have noticed, though, is
that here in the US many recent wine aficionados lock on to a single
variety. "I LOVE Gewurztraminer" is a more common statement than "I
LOVE Crozes Hermitage", for example. For such a consumer, origin is
secondary to variety.
I was at the doctor's a couple of weeks ago and picked up an old issue
of some business magazine. There was an article analyzing wine imports
in the US. One thing the article pointed out is how complicated French
wine labels are to a newbie. Most times the varietal name is absent.
Other countries, like Australia, Spain, Chile, have identified the
importance of having the variety on the label, and display it
prominently.
Perhaps the Enate guys read that article too :-)
***********
Speaking of Verdejo, Bodegas Ángel Rodríguez "MartínSancho" is a very
good one, imported by Classical Wines
http://www.classicalwines.com/
G
DLSchulman
> Treana winery in Paso Robles ain't half bad. I think I pay about $10-$12
> for it.
>
> Blue skies,
> Dave
>
>
the Caymus style, but is naturally much less of everything, most notably
complexity and body, but it is worth the 11 dollars it used to cost around
here, now it is around 16 which I don't really feel is a bargain. I like
the Estancia Cab for value. Just got a case and 1/2 from Cost Plus World
Market for 10.99 a bottle. The Penfolds Cab/Shiraz (just about any of them)
are tannic and oaky, just the way I like them. The Bin 389, around 23
dollars a bottle is a great value in my book.
Regards,
Danny