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Recent Bargain Wine Finds

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Started 1 year ago by tdziemia
Latest reply from tdziemia

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tdziemia
GV/Schumacher
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Not sure if there is another place on CU where folks chat about local wine finds, but wanted to share a few purely from a consumer viewpoint (i.e. not something the trade is flogging). I Like New Zealand sauvignon blancs, but some can be a bit aggressive on the tart,grapefruit qualities. Not so with the 2011 Starborough which is still crisp, but a touch riper and softer. After having a glass at a Grandview restaurant recently was surprised to find it on sale for just $11 in Krogers (till end of April, but still at this price point in some wine stores). Equally good on a hot day (I'm sipping a glass right now), the 2011 Chateau St. Michelle DRY Riesling. Yes, semi-sweet riesling is decidedly out of fashion, but this one is comletely dry, like they make in Alsace. Crisp and citrusy. Again, was on sale last month for just $9, but found it still at this price at Anderson's and got a case, which brings it down to a crazy $8.10/bottle. Be warned that if you like inexpensive American chardonnay, you may NOT like either of these two wines.

Super red for burgers or pasta is the Finca El Reposo 2009 Bonarda for $9. This is a fresh, fuity, inky colored wine made from a grape that hails from central Italy but was turned into more interesting wines by the Argentines (where have we heard THAT before?). Lastly, tried The Naked Grape California pinot noir (marked down to $8 right now in my local Giant Eagle) with some hesitation, as cheap pinot (especially French) is usually crap. Medium intensity wine with surprisingly good pinot flavors for a cheapie. Will get more, as pinot is something I use a lot with lighter fare in summer.
Salut!

Posted 1 year ago #
patient_zero
Falafel District
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Beers tend to gravitate towards center of my universe, but when I drink wine, it tends to match the season, and the food, of course. And when I drink white, it tends to be semi-sweet, with a few exceptions.

Weiland's Market has a beautiful Chenin Blanc + Voignier by Pine Ridge (Napa) for $11.99 that was full of fruit flavors and not too dry that I enjoyed really well, perfect for Spring.
Their site describes it better than I can, it "opens with a dazzling spectrum of fruit and floral aromas, from crisp white peach, honeyed pear and sweet mango, to touches of fresh jasmine blossom and white chai tea. Filled with bright and juicy fruits, the palate flaunts flavors of succulent white nectarine, candied pineapple, green fig and subtle grapefruit. The crisp and slightly off-dry flavor profile lasts well through the clean and refreshing finish."

I love Gewürztraminer, another semi-sweet, with spicy foods, or drinking by itself. Giant Eagle had a deal on a 2010 Gewurz by Alexander Valley Vineyards (Mendocino) for $10 recently that I wished I had purchased more bottles.
From the wine maker, "This wine will fool you, one sniff and you think it is going to be sweet, one sip and you see that it is balanced with good acidity and bright flavors."

Fetzer Gewürztraminer is a readily accessible wine that can be found in most wine aisles, and is a semi-sweet that seems to please most palates, and is a great Spring/Summer wine, and always a bargain at $9-$10.
From their site, "Tangerine, mango and clean aromas of orange spice join with pineapple, baked pears and hints of tell-tale cinnamon, common to Gewürztraminer. This wine can be zesty, and flavors of clove, orange and caramelized apples come to the fore.
With qualifying tastes to match that description,I find it hard how anyone can resist such a delicious wine, any time of year!

Posted 1 year ago #
derm
Grandview
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Might have to find that dry Riesling. I like the Twisted Vine for some inexpensive bottles now and again. You cant always find them on a second try but to find a nice ten or under bottle they have some good stuff.

Posted 1 year ago #
tdziemia
GV/Schumacher
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Hey, patient_zero, I agree that Pine Ridge is a great wine for the summer!! It's on the tope ten list of most wine critics on "value for money" in white wines. Given your tase for fruity but dry, you might also want to get acquainted with Albarinho from Spain. It doesn't make my "value" list 'cause they're up around $15, but very tasty summer white. Burgans and Laxas (not sure of spelling) are two good ones available locally.

Posted 1 year ago #
jackoh
The Village
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+1 on the Starborough SB and the St Michelle dry reisling. For a good cheap summer red the Bolla Bardolino works quite well.

Posted 1 year ago #
tdziemia
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Thanks, jackoh, See my new thread of today for another great inexpensive red from Spain. Good rec on Italian reds from Veneto for the summer: Bardolino and also Valpolicella. Maybe you also know Dolcetto, a light bodied, low tannin red from NW Italy. A lot of them run into the mid-teens, but there is one I've gotten locally called, I think, Aleramo that is $10 and might not bowl you over with complexity, but is a good starting point if you want to try one.

Posted 1 year ago #
Twixlen
The Weston District
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I'll pile onto that CSM Dry Riesling... I really like that wine. And I'll have to keep an eyeball open for the Dolcetto. :D

Posted 1 year ago #
Snarf
Dystopia
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I'm not much of a wine drinker, although I have tried.

I was in the grocery earlier today and I saw what appeared to be a really good deal, the brand is "Carlo Rossi" and they sell larger jug type bottles at really good prices. I bet the Blush is pretty good, dunno if that's a local grape or what.

Posted 1 year ago #
tdziemia
GV/Schumacher
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I've heard it's neat stuff cause it also doubles as nail polish remover and bug-off for your car. No harm trying it with that interestingly shaped steak. To each their own!

Posted 1 year ago #