Over-planting of Chardonnay for many years combined with strong value competition from Sauvignon Blanc has produced heavy price reductions from
some big names like Robert Mondavi, Berringer and Rutherford Hill-Napa,
Chateau St. Jean- Sonoma, Bernardus-Monterey, Gloria Ferrer-Sonoma and
Mount Eden- Edna Valley. They all are currently offering very drinkable wines
at under $20..
Sauvignon Blanc has now exploded in California. There are at least 25
producers offering very satisfying wines well under $20. When you add in New
Zealand as I will below, the choices become so broad that I leave it to you
to find one that measures up if you drink Sauvignon Blanc.
Finally and somewhat amazingly, California has begun sneaking up to
France. producing very satisfying champagne at 1/2 the French prices which
are still sort of controlled. and over priced especially considering that
the Euro is down 20%.
You will not be ashamed to pour Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir,
Sonoma, Scharfenburger Brut, Mendocino and Mumm Brut Napa Valley
Prestige, Napa at a small party. They are all around $19. For big champagne parties see Spain below.
3. France: Bluntly, I find it very difficult to seriously recommend any wines from
France white or red as a value with the exception of the many wonderful values from the
Southern Rhone with which I am very familiar. The Languedoc,
Dordogne
and Loire areas are not bad. But hardly worth the trouble. There are
so many other better choices. Leave them to the French.
With globalization exploding, most drinkable French wines are now still 2
to 3 times as expensive as comparably rated other wines worldwide. A
French name on the label cannot be
worth that much. Again it is even more shocking when one understands that
the Euro has dropped almost 20% which should reduce the cost of French Wine.
The luxury areas of Bordeaux and Burgundy continue to believe that the
US is stupid about wine (they probably are right except for you now) opted
not to reduce prices but are going for more profit.
Forget them.
However look for names like Guigal, Perrin, Cave Des Papes, Cave De
Rasteau along with many others from the wonderful Cotes du Rhone area of
Southeast France. These vintners know what to do. They are marketing
large quantities of wonderful wine at remarkable prices.
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The complex reds from primarily Grenache grapes (often blended with Syrah
and Mourvedre) can satisfy palates across the board that enjoy Cabs, Pinots
and Merlots. Look for recent vintages. Further if your wallet (or purse) is
still fat in today's world, then look at that wonderful premium wine from
the Southern Rhone. It is Chateauneuf du Pape and is the outstanding
value in a true fine wine. It can be found at prices from the above names at
$30-50. Look for 2005s and 2006s with some fine 2007s on the way.
4. Italy: A Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese
grape scandal still hovers over Italy. This, the world economy and the
drop in the Euro has resulted in price reductions throughout Italy. While
the French try to ignore most of the problems, the Italians typically make
deals. Values abound.
Right now, there are great values in the Northern
Tuscany Chianti Classico, Riserva and Ruffina red wine areas.
There are perhaps hundreds of good choices around $20 or less. Look
for Ricasoli, Volpaia, Frescobaldi and Banfi, among others. Do a little
work, talk to a valid wine merchant and have some fun searching this market.
You'll be thrilled at the results.
Until a few years ago, white wines and Italy had
little to offer. But remember that this long Mediterranean boot has been the
merchant center of Europe for more than 2.000 years and they recently
recognized the dramatic worldwide switch to white wines on the part of the
new wine drinkers of The United States. (I'll have a glass of Chardonnay,
please????).
Thus the North East region of Alto Adige and
Fruili between Verona and Venice is a wonderland of fine white wines
under $20 in Pinot Blancs, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and even Chardonnay.
Look for names such as Legeder, Santa Margherita, Terlano,Tramin . Do
a little of your own wine tasting and find a wine that satisfies your
palate. That is the fun.
5. Spain:
It turns out that Spain with its desirable latitude
and climate has the largest vineyard acreage in Europe. It is also considered
by a majority of serious wine drinkers worldwide to offer the best overall
values especially in both reds and white. Up until recently, it has had
limited distribution in the United States but that is now changing. The
Tempranillo grape is among the most widely used but the versatile Grenache
is now also very popular worldwide.
Right now the easiest way to go is to search out the
wines of the Rioja with those Tempranillo grapes. Marques De
Caceres Rioja Crianza is widely available example. But also look for
Bodegas Faustino Rioja VII 2008 . Both are less than $16.
But the shocker to your friends, if you tell them is
Bodega Ateca Calatuyud Garnacha de Fuego. It is a Grenache based red
that compares with wines in the $30-$40 and retails for under $10.
80,000 bottles were imported so it should be available.
Finally, look for bargains from "negotiants" in Spain.
They own no vineyards, no wineries. They have special skills and search the
country for grapes that they have blended for them as does the now famous
Castle Rock in the US.
However, again you should know (perhaps in time for
June Weddings and Anniversaries) that what many (including me) consider to be the
best value in grapes in the world is the Spanish Cristalino sparkler
that competes with Champagnes at 5 times the price. It is $5.99 a liter and
about $16 for an upgraded and spectacular and crowd pleasing magnum
Bluntly I am not too familiar with the other highly rated whites
of Spain. Perhaps that is because there are all those easily found bargains
from California, Italy and especially New Zealand under $16.
6. New Zealand:
I guess my basic favorite place to search for great
overall value right now is New Zealand. That is because I prefer Pinot Noir
to Cab and Sauvignon Blanc to over planted and over oaked Chardonnay.
New Zealand is the only
place in the World that has both wines in good supply and features unmatched availability
and quality combined with price.
Look for Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc at under
$15. Three alternate choices that are also easy to find are Omaka
Springs, Nobilo Icon and Staete Landt. Look for 2007s. These
wines are best imbibed early. Thus you can drink them now.
Good values and quality in the elusive Pinot Noir are
St. Clair, Seven Terraces, Villa Maria and the above mentioned Staete
Landt.
All the wines shown above are from The Marlborough
region of New Zealand and that is what you should also use as an
overall guide.
7. Australia:
It has some things going for it again. It had a recent bad season due to a drought and its currency was almost 1 to 1 with the dollar. Prices rose.
Quality dropped.
Now the dollar has strengthened worldwide but
especially against Australia with an almost 50% increase. So there are again
economic bargains to be found over that wide range offered from this large
wine growing continent.
However be cautious and test one bottle at a time.
Much of what is still on the shelves in all categories can be a problem.
2005 and 2006 if available should OK but be wary of 2007 and 2008.
Look for Cabs and Shiraz along
with the newly discovered blends with Grenache-Mourvedre which is in
the style of the wonderful Cotes du Rhone of Southeast France. Australian
Chardonnay can also deliver satisfaction with many choices.
The big names dominate with tremendous distribution in
the United States. Names that have produced a lot of satisfaction in all
categories are: Penfold's, Rosemont, Wolf Blass, Jacob's Creek,
Greg Norman, Innocent Bystander, Yalumba and Kilikanoon the
latter three especially as smaller vintner's with high quality, very
interesting and different choices in red and white.
8. Argentina and Chile: My knowledge is limited in
both cases although I have had some experiences. Argentina's Malbec
grape dominates. I have been drinking Norton with consistent
satisfaction for a year. It is under $14. Try it and give me your thoughts.
Chile has developed a very strong position in the
usually pricey Cabernet Sauvignon. but with amazing prices. It is also
getting a small handle on the usually equally pricey Pinot Noir. Look for
Concha y Toro for excellent Cabs at less than$20.
9. Germany and South Africa: I must confess
that I have my hands full trying to keep abreast of a reasonable amount of
information on the Eight countries above. Early on I thought of Germany as
producing primarily sweet Riesling wines that did not appeal to me. Thus I
devoted my energy to other areas.
South Africa has become a small factor. But I decided
I had enough on my plate at this age in my life to avoid diluting my energy
beyond my present capacity.
If you have some vital experiences or suggestions
about German or South African wines, please e- mail me via the address on
the home page.
10. Definitely Consider Corkage:
With the economy the way it is, dining out becomes more
of a luxury. Wine often adds 50% to the bill. Restaurants have begun to
recognize the diners concern about the high cost of dining and the
perception of exploitive wine prices.
Many have reduced their corkage fees and in some cases
have had nights with no corkage. One premium 4 star restaurant now offers
corkage free at all times. You should take as much advantage as you
can of these opportunities. But there are mathematical issues. Always ask
the corkage fee when you make the reservation
The wines listed above are all under $20 or less. They
would be priced at a restaurant at $40-$50. If the restaurants corkage fee
is on average $20, the benefits are small or nil You can do the math
on other amounts.
Thus, we believe that if you plan to use corkage,
$20-30 should be the absolute minimum retail price of wine you
bring to a restaurant. Many folks with wine cellars bring $75- $150
bottles and thus save mid three figures off the bill depending on the
restaurant.
Most restaurants used to frown on allowing corkage.
Competition no longer allows them to do that. Thus you should
never be embarrassed when you bring a bottle of wine with you. But don't
bring 2 Buck Chuck.
oth Erath
and Willakenzie seem to be able to do that in the low real estate
area of Oregon. We especially like Willakenzie.
