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I need some wine
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erichollins
Oct 6, 08 5:50
Post #1 of 54 (647 views)
I need some wine
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I used to have a list of decent, inexpensive wines that you could pick up at a normal grocery store and I've since lost that list. I'm trying to find some inexpensive ($20 or less), decent wines. Can anyone recommend me a few, please? It doesn't really matter whether it is red or white. I used to drink only whites but I'm drinking reds more often now. I'm not much of a wine snob so I'm being a bit vague at the moment. I just want some delicious tasting wines.
Thanks.
--
Patience isn't a virtue. Patience is a waste of my time.
http://trainingoferic.blogspot.com/
Visionbuilder
Oct 6, 08 6:02
Post #2 of 54 (642 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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My Wife loves Merlot, we've been enjoying Gnarly Head and BV.
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Danno
Oct 6, 08 6:20
Post #3 of 54 (631 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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If you can find it (try Grapevine Market), Seghesio (sp?) Zinfindel (it's a red zin) is very good. I haven't found it in a while, except at Gumbo's for dinner lately (where it's grossly overpriced). Still, it's very smoothe.
The wife and I have taken to buying some of the "whimsical" wines at HEB lately - usually under $12.00 a bottle. Barefoot cabernet is good, but their zin and pinot noir are not, IMHO. Red Truck, a California red table wine and it's white counterpart, White Truck (of course) are pretty decent (less than $10). Second the Gnarly Head. Try their Zin, too. Red Bicyclette makes some good reds, too, but not their zin.
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David in FL
Oct 6, 08 6:45
Post #4 of 54 (612 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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Taste in wine is very individual, and the selection is virtually limitless......unless you limit
yourself
to the selection at the local supermarket. I'd recommend a good wine store. Most will hold periodic tastings.....many will have several wines to taste every day. You'll have an opportunity to try different things and to learn a bit about wines too......no fear, you won't become a snob, but you will become more knowlegeable and better equipped to make good selections when you dine out as well.
You can find very drinkable wines under $10 and some
outstanding
wines under $20 if you look, listen, and are willing to try different varietals and vintners. You can spend
less
money at a good wine shop and get
better
wine. Have fun!
My .02
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
geekysteve
Oct 6, 08 7:12
Post #5 of 54 (600 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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I've become fond of Rodney Strong's Symmetry. It's a bit more than $20, but even my folks, who *hate* wine thought it was fantastic. It's a meritage (a blend of different grapes), so it's a little more palatable for most people.
Stay away from Rodney's "white label" wines; they're generally not that great... If it's a reserve (black label) it's usually pretty decent.
http://www.rodneystrong.com/...g/index.jsp?cat_id=1
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"Children are for people who believe in the future; that's why I had a vasectomy."
(This post was
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peripheral
Oct 6, 08 7:54
Post #6 of 54 (579 views)
Re: I need some wine [David in FL]
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In Reply To
Taste in wine is very individual, and the selection is virtually limitless......unless you limit
yourself
to the selection at the local supermarket. I'd recommend a good wine store. Most will hold periodic tastings.....many will have several wines to taste every day. You'll have an opportunity to try different things and to learn a bit about wines too......no fear, you won't become a snob, but you will become more knowlegeable and better equipped to make good selections when you dine out as well.
You can find very drinkable wines under $10 and some
outstanding
wines under $20 if you look, listen, and are willing to try different varietals and vintners. You can spend
less
money at a good wine shop and get
better
wine. Have fun!
My .02
Good advice... I've also selected the house wine at better restaurants. Then you can try it with a meal. If you like it then ask the waitstaff to identify it. They (hopefully) take the time to select something price and taste friendly.
kittycat
Oct 6, 08 8:16
Post #7 of 54 (562 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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my reco is to look for regions, not labels.
gurugirl
Oct 6, 08 8:48
Post #8 of 54 (534 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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Westside red. It's a red rhone blend from paso robles, ca. and it is fabulous!!!!
Also, anything red from chile is pretty tasty.
kelli
last tri in 83
Oct 6, 08 9:03
Post #9 of 54 (522 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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The wines you find in the supermarket are all about the same to me. Not bad but not good, mostly mass produced. So I would just look for what is on sale.
I would probably look at the labels for a name I hadn't heard of, from a good region, made in small lots, aged in barrels for 2 years. Stuff like that.
_____________________________________________
Conservative in exile.
Katy
Oct 6, 08 9:15
Post #10 of 54 (511 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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I used to drink only whites
First, I'm going to have to pretend I never read this.
Now to answer your question: There are loads of great wines for under $20. I rarely spend more than that unless its a gift for someone. I really like good Malbec. Norton Reserve is a great Argentinian Malbec that goes for about $14 at Costco. SF Costco has a pretty good wine selection and they post the ratings as well. I probably drink Cabernet most often. Wente makes a great Cab. I had a yummy Le Crema Pinot Noir last week, also a Costco purchase.
Do you have a BevMo? I like to use their 5 cent sale to buy the more expensive bottles I normally would not.
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Awww, Katy's not all THAT evil. Only slightly evil. In a good way. - JasoninHalifax
If Katy wants it that way, then that's the way Katy gets it.-big kahuna
erichollins
Oct 6, 08 9:37
Post #11 of 54 (493 views)
Re: I need some wine [kittycat]
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Any recs on regions then? I've heard that Spanish reds have been pretty good lately.
--
Patience isn't a virtue. Patience is a waste of my time.
http://trainingoferic.blogspot.com/
erichollins
Oct 6, 08 9:38
Post #12 of 54 (492 views)
Re: I need some wine [Katy]
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You are the 2nd person that has recommended the Le Crema Pinot Noir to me. I have have to go pick up a couple of bottles this week.
--
Patience isn't a virtue. Patience is a waste of my time.
http://trainingoferic.blogspot.com/
last tri in 83
Oct 6, 08 9:45
Post #13 of 54 (486 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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The better bargains have evolved from Australia to South America, essentially Argentina and Chile. Good wine at a fair price. The prices for Australian have moved up over the last few years but they are still a bargain and very good.
_____________________________________________
Conservative in exile.
David in FL
Oct 6, 08 9:53
Post #14 of 54 (476 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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You are the 2nd person that has recommended the Le Crema Pinot Noir to me. I have have to go pick up a couple of bottles this week.
If you like the La Crema, try the Cambria Pinot Noir too......Julia's Vineyard. Very nice, lots of fruit and depth and about the same price point as the La Crema. 2005 was nice if you can still find it.
Spanish wines......you're looking at Rioja's and the Tempranillo varietals for the most part. Muga, Marques de Caceres, Marques de Riscal, and Faustino, are a couple off the top of my head that are pretty drinkable and easily found. The last 3 years have provided good vintages for Riojas, so you won't go wrong.
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
mopdahl
Oct 6, 08 9:54
Post #15 of 54 (475 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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This is a great time to be a wine consumer, as the overall quality of wines at the sub $20 price point has never been better. However stay away from the regional/national chain grocery stores for your wines, as there are much better wines & values available at your local independent wine store, not to mention Costco & Cost Plus. A few recs:
Argentina: if you are paying over $20.00 for an Argentinean wine you are an idiot. Malbec & Torrantes are the way to go, and look for either Mendoza or San Juan for regions. Lots of choices here, but the importers Vine Connections have a very, very strong portfolio. Grocery stores usually carry Norton, which isn't bad.
Spain: anything from the portfolio of Jorge Ordonea is going to be pretty solid. Again, for sub $10 wines, it is almost impossible to beat Spain, and the recent financial crisis has helped our dollar against the Euro for the first time in four + years. Chain grocery stores suck for Spanish wines. Any good independent can help you here.
Australia: All shiraz, all the time. Look for Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, or South Australia. Avoid SEA (South East Australia). While Penfolds, Yalumba & Rosemont are the choice to go after at the grocery store (if you must), brands such as Razor's Edge, Rolf Binder & Fetish (all mine), R Wines, Yard Dog, Slipstream, and Winner's Tank are where the value & action are. Costco & Cost Plus will have most of the above. In this day & age, almost no reason to pay over $20.00 for a bottle of Aussie wine, and at $10-15 they rule the market.
California: generalities here, but Zin from Lodi or Paso Robles, Syrah & Cabs from Paso, and Chard from Sonoma or Mendocino County are the ways to go. For grocery wines it is really tough to beat J. Lohr's Cab & Syrah.
Germany & Austria: tough with the Euro, but stick with Rieslings recommended by your reputable local shop. Anything in a grocery store from Germany/Austria is going to suck & likely be loaded with sugar.
Italy: unless you like Pinot Gris, I couldn't tell you what to look for in the grocery stores at this price.
France: avoid at all costs--soo much crap out there right now---buy at local stores on recommendation or scores only. Bordeaux '05 is killer, and '06 will be good values. Don't buy '02 or '04s, and '07 is likely a disaster.
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"After all, most of this hand-to-hand combat involves us arguing with each other over the things adults do. Now? I'd advise most of you to stay away from me if we're ever at the same event." - Big Kahuna
corinwright
Oct 6, 08 9:59
Post #16 of 54 (466 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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My standby porch wine (everyday drinker) is Root 1 Cabernet (Chilean) ($9.99) [I think that the vines that its made from are ~80yrs old]. They also make a quaffable sauvignon blanc. South America has the best bargains around, IMO, with Spain close behind. I can usually pick up Rioja's, even reservas, for ~$10.
Give the Root 1 a try.
NCCB
Oct 6, 08 10:09
Post #17 of 54 (456 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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We try alway to stay under $15 for a bottle so here's our favorites
Smoking Loon Shiraz ( we took this to a wine tasting party and it won overall best red)
Kendall Jackson Chardonnay
Rodney Strong Merlot
Sterling Chardonnay ( not the reserve)
erichollins
Oct 6, 08 10:09
Post #18 of 54 (456 views)
Re: I need some wine [mopdahl]
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Yes, Bordeaux I've had before, I think, and I thought that it was pretty good.
--
Patience isn't a virtue. Patience is a waste of my time.
http://trainingoferic.blogspot.com/
last tri in 83
Oct 6, 08 10:17
Post #19 of 54 (448 views)
Re: I need some wine [mopdahl]
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thanks Mike.
_____________________________________________
Conservative in exile.
mopdahl
Oct 6, 08 11:07
Post #20 of 54 (428 views)
Re: I need some wine [last tri in 83]
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Don't get me wrong---Zin is still a weed that should probably be pulled out & the vineyards paved over to make sure it doesn't ever regrow.
____________
"After all, most of this hand-to-hand combat involves us arguing with each other over the things adults do. Now? I'd advise most of you to stay away from me if we're ever at the same event." - Big Kahuna
MattinSF
Oct 6, 08 11:16
Post #21 of 54 (421 views)
Re: I need some wine [corinwright]
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My standby porch wine (everyday drinker) is Root 1 Cabernet (Chilean) ($9.99) [I think that the vines that its made from are ~80yrs old]. They also make a quaffable sauvignon blanc. South America has the best bargains around, IMO, with Spain close behind. I can usually pick up Rioja's, even reservas, for ~$10.
Give the Root 1 a try.
What he said.
there appears to be a distinct difference in marketing technique between California and other new world wine regions. Travel abroad and the only CA wines you are likley to see are juggo-piss Fetzer or Gallo. We keep all the good stuff here and drink it ourselves. The Chileans, New Zealanders and Chileans on the other hand export much of their top end wine and sell it at a really good price.
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HOPE is a plan that worked. CHANGE is a plan that worked. BELIEVE is a plan that worked.
QRgirl
Oct 6, 08 11:23
Post #22 of 54 (414 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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Columbia Crest is one of the larger wineries out of Washington State. They do a consistent job of producing very drinkable wines (red and white) that are quite affordable ($7-14.) Their "Grand Estate" wines are a little more expensive, but usually less than $20/bottle. I typically persuse the wine selections when I'm out of state and Columbia Crest seems to be just about everywhere.
I agree with Katy on the Argentian malbecs. Do you have a Cost Plus World Market where you live? They seem to have a great affordable wine selection.
Brian in MA
Oct 6, 08 11:33
Post #23 of 54 (403 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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I'm a fan of Aussie reds, mainly the Rosemount shiraz and Jacob's Creek cabernet.
I noticed that someone mentioned Red Truck in one of the replies, someone gave me a bottle once as a gift and it was very good.
"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler
MattinSF
Oct 6, 08 11:41
Post #24 of 54 (396 views)
Re: I need some wine [Brian in MA]
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Try Rawson's Retreat, they have some decent drinkable reds...or plonk as my father calls it...for under $10
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HOPE is a plan that worked. CHANGE is a plan that worked. BELIEVE is a plan that worked.
jriosa
Oct 6, 08 12:36
Post #25 of 54 (363 views)
Re: I need some wine [erichollins]
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Santa Julia for whites - The Viogner is good, the Organica Torrontes is outstanding for 10 bucks - definitely a south American winery punching over its weight.
Jim
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