In this issue, we are listing some special value recommendations for your wine purchasing consideration. But first we want to make several points for you to keep in mind.
- First, the wine guys know that, day in and day out, price is probably the #1 consideration guiding the buying decisions of most customers. Nothing wrong with that, but the optimum goal is to find a bargain—a wine that has greater value than its price point. To get the best bang for your bucks you need the advice of a sales person you can trust. Our wine manager told me recently that he tastes more than two dozen new wines every week. If you are not taking advantage of that kind of expertise, you aren’t serious about wines or saving money!
- Second, a wine shop doesn’t necessarily make more money selling expensive wines. In fact, the margin may be lower than for low-end wines. We don’t ever want to sell you a wine that doesn’t fit your budget. If you think you paid too much, you probably won’t be happy no matter how good the wine turns out to be.
- The third thing to keep in mind is that this month’s list is unique and temporary. The same list last year would have had very few, if any, of these wines on it. If we do a similar list next year the same point applies. There is just a tremendous turnover in our stock from month to month and from year to year. When a good deal comes along, you have to be ready to take advantage of it, because you may never see that same wine again. Or if you do, not at that price. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. This would be a great time to stock up while these wines are still available.
- Finally, a generality about wine bargains. In general, the wines with the best quality-price ratio tend to come from countries or regions that are trying to break into the new world wine market, make a reputation for themselves, and increase their wine exports. Be sure to check out wines from Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, South Africa, Spain, and Portugal when you are looking for good bottles at bargain prices. However, there are still terrific deals on some new U.S. wines.
- There may be only six readers who pay attention to this advice, but those six will have more enjoyable wine experiences at lower prices.
WINES THAT DELIVER MORE THAN THEY COST
Each of these wines has been tasted by the Wine Guys and recommended for this list.
RED WINES.
Under $10. Haras De Pirque Maipo 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon $9.99; Kit Fox Foxy Red $9.99; Alamos Malbec $8.99 (sale price); Red Diamond Washington State 2004 Merlot $8.99; Cycles Gladiator Central Coast Syrah 2005 $8.99; Red Guitar Old Vine Tempranillo Garnacha 2005 $8.99; Bacalhoa Santa Fe de Arraiolos Alentejano (Portugal) 2005 $9.99.
$10-$15. Hahn Central Coast Meritage 2005 $14.99; Wall Cellars Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 $13.99; XY Zin California 10-Year-Old Vine Zinfandel $13.99; Ercavio Tempranillo Roble 2005 $12.99; Four Vines Old Vine Zinfandel 2005 $12.99; Pannotia Vineyards Tierra De Castilla Garnacha 2005 $11.99; Magnificent Wine Company Columbia Valley House Wine 2005 $10.99; Root 1 Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 $10.99.
$15-$20. A-Z Oregon Pinot Noir $19.99; Mitolo Jester McLaren Vale Shiraz 2005 $19.99; Cesari Mara Italian “Baby Amarone” $17.99; Peltier Station Lodi Petite Syrah 2005 $17.99; Dominio De Tares Baltos Bierzo Mencia (Spain) 2005 16.99; Tangley Oaks Napa Lot 7 Merlot 2003 $16.99; Abundance Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2002 $18.99; Charles Underwood Farleigh Zinfandel 2005 $16.99; Capcanes Mas Donis Montsant (Spanish Grenache) 2004 $15.99; Winner’s Tank Australian Shiraz $15.99; Marques Casa Concha Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon $15.99.
$20-$25. Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir $26.99;
Valdi Falco Morellino di Scansano Tuscan Blend $21.99.
WHITE WINES.
Under $10. Voga Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie 2006 $9.99; Barefoot Chardonnay $7.99 per 1.5 liter (sale price); Le Petite Frog Coteaux Du Languedoc Picpoul De Pinet 2006 (bag-in box) $28.99/3 liters, or $7.25 per .750 ml.
$10-$15. Domaine Meyer-Fonne Gentil D’Alsace 2005 $14.99; Zaca Mesa Santa Ynez Viognier 2005 $14.99; Chateau Campuget Rhone $13.99; Martin Codax Rias Baixas Albarino 2006 $13.99; Hook and Ladder Russian River Gewurztraminer 2006 $13.99; Kuentz Bas Alsace Blanc 2005 $12.99; Quinta Do Feital Auratus Alvarinho Trajadura (Portugal) 2005 $12.99; Borgio Italian Pinot Grigio $12.99; Root 1 2006 Chilean Sauvignon Blanc $10.99.
$15-$20. Summerland Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2005 $17.99; Hopler Austrian Gewurztraminer $19.99; Willamette Valley Oregon Chardonnay $18.99; Chateau Graville Lacoste Graves $16.99; Peltier Station Lodi Viognier 2006 $15.99.
All but one recommended wines on this list are under $22. The list includes a wide choice of countries and varietals. Drop by the store soon and put the wine guys to the test!
Photo credits: Jerry Hall | 2BSEEN.
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