Talking Cheap Wine

Yellow Tail - Battle of the big bottles, Part 1

2009-09-07T06:26:00.023-04:00

We're always looking for an inexpensive yet satisfying wine, right? Maybe you're having a get-together or maybe you just want to keep something decent on hand. You've seen those big bottles in the wine shop. Did you pass them by?

My thoughts on the big 1.5 liter bottles have always been a little snobbish. I didn't think they were worth checking out. Lately, however, encouraged by our little economic downturn, I've taken another look.

Here's my rule of thumb: if the company does not also make a reasonably popular selection of normal size 0.75 liter bottles, stay away!

Why bother with the large size? Cause it's cheaper to buy the big bottle than to buy two of the smaller bottles, that's why. (After all, we're talking cheap wine here.)

So following my rule, we were led to Yellow Tail. They have a large selection of varieties in both bottle sizes. Our first choice was the Shiraz. We had a party, we served the Shiraz and there was wine left over. As a result we were able to drink the remainder of the bottle over several days.

The Shiraz was a simple quaff with hints of the things that make us like Shiraz so much. Yes, there was fruit, primarily cherry, and some spice but only hints of what would be available in a more up-scale Shiraz. Tannins were sorely lacking and there was a note of sweetness that was not necessary. On the other hand, the wine was light, easy to drink, had no annoying undertones and didn't deteriorate over several days.

After that reasonable experience, we decided to pick a large bottle of the Shiraz-Cabernet blend. We thought that maybe the addition of the Cab would add a little "oomph" to the simple Shiraz.

Unfortunately, the Cab didn't add as much as we'd hoped. Nevertheless, the blend was getting us in the right direction. The hints of tannins were a bit more noticeable, the fruit was still upfront and, though still a pretty simple wine, there were at least a few nice notes of plum and raspberry (as promised on the label).

These wines seem best as accompaniments to informal food. They're fine with burgers, chicken, a simply prepared pork loin or even pizza. They don't quite have the heft, though, to stand up to really serious food. (Note: the Yellow Tail Shiraz Reserve is plenty rich and sophisticated enough to go with a big steak or a spicy grilled salmon. But that's for another review...)

The Yellow Tail Shiraz and Shiraz-Cabernet are simple but pleasant wines. They are in the category of lowest common denominator wines that are acceptable to everyone and for good reason - they really aren't bad! Grilling in the backyard, throwing a party or just having a simple glass to relax with after work - these wines amiably fit the bill. And they are certainly easy on the wallet. If your budget is as tight as ours, you could do a lot worse than Yellow Tail.

Taste: 6.2 out of 10
Value: 7.5 out of 10

P.S. -- in Part 2 of this series, we'll tell you about the Gabbiano Chianti. Stay tuned!

Why wine importers are so important

2009-02-20T21:45:00.007-05:00

What a time it's been! Sick for a good week or so and unable to drink wine while taking antibiotics and swigging cough medicine with codeine. At last, I got over the flu and began to enjoy food and wine again. We were looking forward to reviewing some new wines for this blog and then our camera died. No pictures of wine bottles combined with our having fallen out of the habit of writing up the wines we drink has led to a dearth of posting.

So given there is no camera to shoot the labels of wine bottles and that we are not drinking wine as often as we used to, this seemed a good time to address a topic that I think is very important for anyone who is interested in wine. Today we want to talk about wine importers.

Obviously, since we are talking about importers it implies that wine from the U.S. will be excluded in today's discussion. That is unfortunately true but, since there are so many great wines from other countries that are worth trying, it is a minor limitation. In any case, let's get on with today's topic.

Why are importers important?

The best importers have a good palate. They are adept at finding good wines, often at different price points. Often, the wines may not be well known but may be quite delicious. Let's look at an example.

One of my favorite importers is Winebow. This company, led by Leonardo Locasio, selects wines from Italy and more recently from Spain. My experience with this importer is that its selections are always quite interesting and usually quite good for the money. They have a good list of wines that fit into our price range (under $15) as well as some more expensive wines that we have yet to try. A good number of the wines from Winebow that we have tried have become repeat buys.

One of the most important aspects of our respect for Winebow is that when we come across a wine we have never seen before, we are much more willing to try it if we see that it was imported by Winebow. Our experience with this importer has been consistently positive, the wines have been good values, great with food and very evocative of Italy. What more could you want?

Originally known for Italian wines, Winebow has begun to expand into representing wineries from Spain, South Africa, Argentina and other countries. Given our good experiences with their Italian wine selections, we will certainly be looking to try some of these wines from other locales.

Another importer that we have had some good experience with is Tempranillo. This is an importer of Spanish wine. In the last few years, Spanish wines have offered some of the best values around. The wines that we have tried that the Tempranillo company has imported were among the lowest price but best values we have experienced. This is a company whose wine selections we intend to continue to explore.

Read those labels!

So our advice is to always be sure to read the fine print on the labels of wines you enjoy. Note who the importer is. If you don't have a wine store near you where you have good confidence in the recommendations of the sales people, the next best thing is to trust the importer. You will eventually find those importers who consistently provide quality wines. And that can be your roadmap to some very interesting wine experiences.

La Puerta Torrontes 2007

2009-01-26T21:26:00.008-05:00

I've seen this wine on the shelves for a while but wasn't really sure it was worth trying. Then I saw a small write-up about this varietal, Torrontes, being very popular in Argentina so I decided to give it a shot.

Yes, this particular bottle at this particular price point yields a simple wine. But this wine is very pleasant and drinkable. It is light, a pale straw color and has just a touch of citrus. What is more interesting is the round mouth-feel and the notes of peach and mango. There is also a nice level of acidity and an underpinning of minerals that prevents the wine from falling into that "too simple" category and lets it act as a good companion to food.

We had this wine with wraps filled with breaded, deep-fried calamari. We whipped up a sauce of tomato paste, Adobo sauce, cumin, allspice, garlic powder, oregano and olive oil. We spread the sauce on the wrap, heaped on the calamari, sprinkled some red onion on it and squeezed lime juice on the whole mess. Wow! Tons of hot but rich and earthy flavor. And the wine was just a nice refreshing accompaniment. With its dry, clean finish, it was not overwhelmed by the spice or the crunchiness.

So it's clear that Husband likes this wine but Wife enjoyed it also. She was afraid this was going to turn out to be another "lemon water" experience. Happily, she found the wine to be complex enough to hold her interest and brisk enough to be enjoyable on its own.

This La Puerta Torrontes is priced very modestly - we paid only $9.99 - but it delivers a very good value. With its floral nose, generous fruit and clean, dry finish it is light but interesting. It is a light wine, one that would probably be great in summer (though it was pretty good in January, too). We had it with a robust sea food dish but we suspect it would really show well with more delicate fare. The grape, Torrontes, which was new to us, turned out to be a nice find and we will definitely be buying a bottle of the La Puerta again.

Taste: 8.3 out of 10
Value: 8.9 out of 10

Decent wine for under six bucks? - you bet!

2009-01-14T21:01:00.008-05:00

We've always considered the sweet spot of good, inexpensive wines to be in the price range of around $8 to $12. As the economy has deteriorated, however, we have started to look at lower price points. Well, we're pleased to report there are some pleasant surprises out there at very reasonable prices. With this post we'd like to bring two cheap but very drinkable wines to your attention.

We'll start with a simple Italian red, the Cantine Spinelli Montepulciano D'Abrruzo Quartana 2005. At only $4.99, I walked past this wine for weeks without being willing to take a chance on it. Finally I brought one home and was glad that I did. This is a good example of the uncomplicated, fruity wines that Italians commonly use to accompany simple meals on a daily basis. As with most Montepulcianos, there were the notes of cherry, the medium to light body, the ruby color in the glass. Where this wine surpasses others in its (very low) price range is in the nice balance and clean finish. Where many cheap Montepulcianos are overly sweet and by the second day are virtually undrinkable, the Spinelli started out smooth and solid and remained so the next day as well. The wine has enough tannins to provide sufficient structure to stand up to flavorful Italian food while imparting a nice smooth, dry finish. It's true Husband is partial to Italian wines in general but this one even earned a positive vote from Wife who tends to be more critical than me.

The second wine we'd like to discuss is the JP Azeitao 2004 Vinho Regional Terras Do Sado. This is a red wine from Portugal. I often like to try Portuguese wines as they have not yet become overy popular and consequently have not become over-priced. This wine is an interesting combination of 85% Castelao, 7.5% Tempranillo and 7.5% Syrah. We picked this wine up for $5.99 and upon trying it began to discuss running back to get a case. The blend of grapes in this wine adds a nice complexity and notes of spice. The finish is dry and very smoky. Bottom line - it tastes more expensive than it actually is. With more structure than the Spinelli, this wine can go up against more robust menus and hold its own.

OK, these wines may not lend themselves to aging and they certainly couldn't be compared to those high-end wines earning 90+ ratings in Wine Spectator. Nevertheless, they are quite decent and terrific bargains to boot. Yes, these two wines are simple but not so simple that won't enhance a meal. Buy a few bottles, save a few bucks and feel good about being frugal.

Cantine Spinelli Montepulciano D'Abrruzo Quartana 2005

Taste: 7.7 out of 10
Value: 9.0 out of 10

JP Azeitao 2004 Vinho Regional Terras Do Sado
Taste: 8.0 out of 10
Value: 9.4 out of 10

Borsao Red Wine 2006

2008-12-16T21:14:00.007-05:00

OK, I am here to tell you that this wine has to be the best bargain in the store! Only $4.99 but please don't let the low price scare you away.

Borsao comes from Spain and is a blend of 75% Garnacha and 25% Tempramillo. Upon opening the bottle I got a whiff of cinnamon and cherry. On the palate it's light and fruity and medium dry.It's not just a fruit bomb, however. There is touch of pepper and the finish is very smooth and clean. For a $4.99 wine I can't really say the finish is elegant but it comes close enough so that drinking it is a friendly and simple pleasure. As the night progresses, it retains its cheerful character and remains happily drinkable.

Wife approached this wine with caution, expecting it to be another one of my underpriced picks that are prone to disappointment. She was pleasantly surprised to find that this Borsao really was a fun wine and while it is certainly not a wine that can be compared a fine Bordeaux, it is definitely an eminently drinkable and food friendly wine.

The Borsao "Red Wine" 2006 is a wine you should try. We first discovered it a couple of years ago and whenever I feel guilty about spending too much on wine I reach for the Borsao. I know it's a reliable quaff and it's safe to serve for friends. With fresh fruit and a smooth finish it doesn't wear out its welcome. In these days when the economy seems to be crumbling and conspicuous consumption is out of style, you won't have to be ashamed to keep a couple of bottles of Borao on hand. Doesn't everyone like to brag about finding a great bargain?

Taste: 7.9 out of 10
Value: 9.4 out of 10

McWilliam's Hanwood Estate Chardonnay 2006

2008-11-21T22:07:00.009-05:00

There are tons of inexpensive chardonnays from Australia of moderate quality but we had never seen this McWilliam's Hanwood Estate chardonnay before. We picked one up and were very pleasantly surprised.

Here was a wine where Wife and Husband agreed on most every point (ah, if that was only the case more often in this life). The wine is very crisp and clean. There is an initial touch of citrus that gives way to apple and pear. Lots of complexity. Very well balanced - not overly oaky or buttery - everything in the proper proportions. A long refreshing finish.

We had this wine with mahi mahi baked with a mango-garlic sauce, a slice of pineapple and some chipotle chili flakes to add some zing. A spinach salad with cranberries, croutons, walnuts and goat cheese added a tart and crunchy counterpoint. The wine's crispness and acidity played very well against the fruit flavors as well as against the seafood.

As the night progressed, the nose became a little more grapy with notes of pear eau de vie. The wine mellowed a bit and some the melon and vanilla notes alluded to on the label became more noticeable.

We really enjoyed this wine. The crispness and acidity made it a lively accompaniment to our meal and an invigorating pleasure to sip afterward. The complexity and elegance was much more than we expected for a mere $8.99. This will definitely be a repeat buy in our house. We highly recommend that you give it a try.

Taste: 9.3 out of 10
Value: 9.0 out of 10

Monsanto Chianti Classico Reserva 2004

2008-11-11T19:09:00.009-05:00

Readers of this blog know that we have set our upper price limit at $15. Today we have a wine that falls within our limit by one penny. We paid $14.99 for this Monsanto Chianti and we're happy we did.

This wine normally sells for around $20 and, you know, that's expensive for us. That's why we love a sale at the local wine store!

Being a Chianti, we know it must come from Tuscany. More precisely, it is from the area around San Gimignano, midway between Florence and Siena.

This wine is characterized by rich, dark fruit and low acidity. According to Wife this wine is very mellow on the palate but flavorful. No one characteristic dominates. The tannins are smooth and noticeable but do not overwhelm the fruit. Husband detects notes of earth and leather and the typical cherry characteristics that Sangiovese often brings to the party.

We had this wine with a simple pasta dish with broccoli, a bit of ground beef and grated Incanestrato cheese. The dish was light and not particularly robust and the wine was similar in its approach. Oh, and by the way, it was great with chocolate, too.

Wife typically is not too impressed with many of the inexpensive Chiantis that Husband brings home but this one was good enough to obtain her seal of approval. We had it with a very simple meal but the complexity and structure of this wine is such that it could easily accompany more interesting fare. At twenty bucks, maybe it would seem a little overpriced, but under $15 it's definitely worth trying. Take a trip to Tuscany without leaving your home - pick up a bottle of this Monsanto Chianti.

Taste: 9.2 out of 10
Value: 9 out of 10

Pulpit Rock Pinotage 2005

2008-11-03T21:39:00.004-05:00

We try inexpensive pinotage every once in while but there are few that excite. We are happy to report that we’ve finally found one we really like.

This wine is from Swartland, South Africa. Upon first tasting it, there were some immediate exclamations. Wife smiled and said “yummm, dark cherry and plums.” Husband thought the nose was hot and spicy and on the palate smooth, dry, rich and featuring dusty tannins.

The label on the back of the bottle said that the wine exhibits “a dark ruby color with a purple rim.” So many labels are above and beyond the reality of the wine but this description was nicely accurate. There really is a purple rim when you hold the glass up the light.

We had this wine with a salmon dish that Wife concocted. We dubbed it “double salmon” as it had a layer of smoked salmon pate and bacon on top of a salmon fillet. This dish was accompanied by chunks of butternut squash with pumpkin spice, balsamic vinegar and other ingredients yet to be revealed. The was robust enough to stand up to the salmon but smooth enough not to overpower it.

As the wine opened further the “hot” nose receded, berries came to the forefront and the fruitiness of the wine gained equal billing with the tannins.

We definitely liked this wine. It had a lot going for it: nicely balanced fruit and tannins in a smooth, rich, sturdy frame. At under $10 a bottle it’s almost too good to be true. We highly recommend that you seek out the Pulpit Rock Pinotage and give it a try.

Taste: 9.2 out of 10
Value: 9.5 out of 10

Bonizio Sangiovese di Maremma 2006

2008-10-27T21:04:00.008-04:00

We all know the typical inexpensive Sangiovese: light, soft, informal, easy to drink. This Bonizio Sangiovese di Maremma is a different animal. Produced by Cecchi, a prominent Tuscan maker of Chianti, this wine is an interesting take on a recent trend to explore wines from some of the less well known areas Italy. Maremma is an area in southern Tuscany and is also the origin of the Morellino di Scansano wine that has achieved some notoriety of late.

This wine exhibits a deep red color with the floral notes on the nose that are typical of many lighter Italian wines. At first taste, this wine is totally zingy, all strawberry, raspberry and spice. Wife characterized it as "hot."

In any case, we sipped it with our dinner then took the dog for a walk. When we got back, the wine seemed to have opened up and mellowed. Now there were significant notes of ripe plums and the finish was longer and drier with the tannins more noticeable. There is a slight earthiness on the finish, a kind of sweet sour note, that Wife certainly didn't care for and that basically left her with a negative opinion on this wine.

We had the rest of the bottle the next day with a simple crispy pizza with three cheeses, herbs and roma tomatoes. The whole sweet and sour thing had disappeared and the wine had mellowed even further. The tannins were softer and the overall impact was simpler and easier yet still pleasant enough.

This wine is fun like most Sangiovese but there is an added complexity and dryness. The wine morphs from spicy to rich as it opens up and has a nice long smooth finish. That slight funkiness that was noticed on the finish, though, may not be to everyone's liking and caused us to reduce our taste score. Still, at $8.99 a bottle it is a decent value and offers a good accompaniment to robust Italian food. Give it a try and see what else the Sangiovese grape can do.

Taste: 7.9 out of 10
Value: 8 out of 10

Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

2008-10-23T20:24:00.009-04:00

This modest Cab is from California. Made by the folks at Concannon Vineyard, it makes a good everyday quaff.

Wife characterizes the Concannon as a very light Cab, not a lot of complexity but enough going on to make it a good accompaniment to certain meals. For example, we had this wine with a stew made with turkey, sausage, cauliflower and potatoes. The wine had enough body to stand up to the sausage but was soft and fruity enough to match well with the turkey. This might even be ideal with a Thanksgiving dinner.

Anyway, speaking of fruit, the wine shows prominent black cherry (just as the label says). The tannins are subtle and not overwhelming. The wine is soft and well rounded. There is no bitter or overly sweet aftertaste; it's mellow and easy to drink and displays just the slightest hint of oak.

Husband and Wife agree that this wine was better with food than by itself. We also liked it much better after it opened though as the night progressed, the black cherry became a little sweeter.

All in all, this is a modest Cab. It's almost good enough to become your everyday house wine but we have found there are a few other wines at the same price point that deliver superior taste and value. At only $8.99 a bottle, the Concannon is certainly modestly priced and you don't have to be embarrassed to serve it to guests. For the sake of variety, you should definitely give it a try.

Taste: 7.8 out of 10
Value: 8 out of 10

Alois Lageder 2005 Pinot Blanc

2008-10-13T17:23:00.004-04:00

Husband is flying solo on this review while Wife is out hanging with her friends. Not only that but me and the boys are eating leftovers tonight.

So our meal included some of the grilled swordfish we had a couple of days ago. We cooked up some orechiette, added some San Marzano tomatoes, garlic and a few fresh shrimps. We cut the swordfish into bite-size pieces, added some fresh mint (still thriving in our garden, even in October) , fresh basil (from the supermarket) and lots of ground black pepper. It was clear a good Italian white was called for.

The Alois Lageder Pinot Blanc was a perfect accompaniment. The nose had notes of pear and apple. On the palate, the pear reappeared and lent a nice round mouthfeel. The finish on this wine was long, rich and fruity with minerals and a bit of lemon and butter creeping in.

The swordfish added heft to what would normally be a very light and zingy dish. The richness of this wine provided just the right counterpoint to the food. As I sipped a glass later on, I was pleased to see that the complexity of the wine held my interest and I was able to focus on the delicate nose and some of the layers of flavors in the finish.

This wine is medium bodied - I would consider it a bit too rich to call it light. Nevertheless, it has enough crispness and acidity to make it a good candidate for seafood and it would go equally well with many chicken dishes and anything with a cream sauce. Typically sold for $12.99 we found it for $10.99 which seems a reasonable price. Well regarded by the Wine Spectator, this wine is worth a try.

Taste: 8.5 out of 10
Value: 8 out of 10

Stanley Lambert Full-Sister Semillon 2004

2008-10-11T19:20:00.010-04:00

Here is an unusual wine from the Barossa Valley in Australia. It is a made from semillon only. Usually we see this grape combined with sauvignon blanc.

In any case, this is a very nice, food friendly wine. Husband got mango/papaya fruit on the nose and Wife got a blast of sweetness. What rescues this wine is the finish. That's where we start to get the notes of mineral and definite lime. Not the rush of lime you get when you bite a fresh lime but the subtler taste of what's left from a fresh-squeezed lime.

We had this wine with grilled swordfish with a baguette and a salsa made of corn, tomato, red onion and zucchini. Despite the fruity notes, the acidity of this wine allowed it act as a good accompaniment.

As the night progressed, this wine got more buttery and less sweet, which in our opinion is a good thing.

This Stanley Lambert Semillon is a pleasant, refreshing wine. It comes on with ripe tropical fruit at first and then segues into lime and minerals. It is crisp and fresh and the touch of butter as the night wears on adds a touch of elegance that is quite welcome. At the store we frequent, this wine is always about $1o so we didn't get it on sale but you might be able to find a better deal.

Taste: 8 out 10
Value: 9 out of 10

Montes Classic Series Chardonnay 2006

2008-10-05T21:12:00.006-04:00

OK, so Wife is cooking a pasta dish with calamari, sweet peppers, a few flakes of dried chipotle chiles and chunks of lobster. "So what wine are we having with this fine meal?" asks Wife.

"Well, I've got this Montes Chardonnay from Chile," I reply. "Oh, jeez, I'm making lobster" Wife says, "and you've got a wine with a screw top? This better not be a big disappointment."

Luckily for the Husband, the wine was OK, not a triumph but certainly not a disappointment. Wife said it was crisp and spicy with grapy notes on the nose that reminded her of grappa. Husband agreed that the nose was quite fruity but not quite featuring the bite of grappa. We noted that the crispness was a function of how cold the wine was. The warmer it got, the rounder and softer it became and the more the butteriness and vanilla came forward.

On the whole, this wine is all about the fruit. The label talks about tropical fruit and we can see where they're coming from. To its credit, this wine doesn't overdue the oak and butter combination and remains crisp and food friendly. We paid just under $8 for this wine so it definitely falls into the cheap wine category. There are always occasions that call for a modest Chardonnay and this wine nicely fits the bill.

Taste: 7.8 out of 10
Value: 8 out of 10

Atteca Old Vines 2006

2008-10-03T19:04:00.009-04:00

The Atteca Old Vines 2006 is from Spain, a source of so many good value wines. It is made from 100% Garnacha grapes. The vines are approximately 100 years old and the result is a rich, flavorful wine.

We passed a glass around and our boys said it smelled like blackberries, Wife said it had chocolate on the nose and Husband thought it smelled hot, with earth and alcohol. Something wrong with his nose today? Maybe.

Wife is very impressed. She's liking the cherry overtones, dark black cherry overtones. We're both liking the depth, the complexity and the richness. This is a powerful wine. The finish is long, smooth and supple with tannins in just the right proportion. The fruit in this wine is ripe and chewy and, as the boys said, there are definite notes of blackberry as well as the cherry.

We had this wine with pork loin, sweet potatoe french fries and roasted acorn squash basted in apple cider, butter, sage and tarragon. This wine had no problem standing up to the food but didn't overpower it. It was just a pleasure with or without the food.

As the night wore on, the tannins began to recede a bit, leaving the cherry fruit a little more prominent. Nevertheless, the wine remained interesting and we enjoyed every sip.

We really liked this wine and will certainly be buying it again. List price is in the neighborhood of $17, a bit above our limit, but we have seen it on sale for $10.99 several times now. It's rich and fruity, dry and well structured. If you can find it for under $15 it will be well worth your while to pick up a bottle.

Taste: 9.5 out of 10
Value: 9 out of 10

KAnU Chenin Blanc 2006

2008-09-30T21:03:00.006-04:00

KAnU Chenin Blanc 2006 is produced in South Africa by Kanu Vineyards. This is a delicate yet food friendly wine.

Husband exclaimed "This wine is light, light, light!" A pale color and a barely discernable nose. Very light on the palate with citrus and faint pineapple. The smooth, round finish, though, makes one realize this wine is pretty good after all.

Wife picked up on lemon right away. Lemon on the nose, lemon on the palate, crisp and fresh. But not overwhelming lemon; this wine is well-balanced and stylish.

OK, plenty of lemon perhaps but this is no one trick pony; there is more than just lemon going on here. The winery mentions vanilla, papaya and pineapple and, as we sipped the wine over the course of the evening, these flavors did indeed become noticeable.

We had this wine with tilapia with capers and lemon and a kind of Italian sidedish of cauliflower, potatoes and a young Asiago cheese. The lightness of the fish was, fortunately, a good match with the wine. A more robust meal might have overwhelmed this wine.

This wine is light and crisp and just fruity enough with lemon and pineapple notes. It has a chic and slightly off-dry finish that redeems the wine from just being a simple quaff. At under $10 this wine is well worth the price but be careful to match it with the right food. This is an ideal summertime wine but that shouldn't keep you picking up a bottle during any season.

Taste: 8 out of 10
Value: 8 out of 10

The Wishing Tree 2005 Shiraz

2008-09-29T20:08:00.008-04:00

This modest Shiraz is mentioned in the Wine Spectator as a good value and we agree. We have purchased this wine every four or five weeks because it is easy to drink and, at only $7.49, a real bargain.

A bit of leather on the nose leads into soft fruit on the tongue. The finish abounds in notes of pepper with mild, smooth tannins lending some structure. The wine is light but pleasant and does not suffer from the cloying sweetness of some of the less-expensive Shiraz's we have tasted.

Wife said "I actually like this! It's way better than a lot that cheap stuff you bring home." She thought the wine was not overly fruity and liked the understated blackberry notes. Wife also feels this wine has nice structure and likes how the tannins contribute to giving the wine enough backbone to make it interesting.

We had this wine with salmon with peaches and figs and it worked out very well. The sweetness of the fruit in the meal was offset nicely by the spice in the wine. This Shiraz was light enough to accompany the fish without overwhelming it but robust enough to provide a significant counterpoint.

This wine is a repeat buy. It is light but has enough complexity to grab your attention. It is clean and well-balanced and can work as an accompaniment to many different kinds of foods. It's very modest price makes it a low-risk selection. Grab a couple of bottles and invite a few friends over!

Taste: 8 out of 10
Value: 9 out of 10

Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva 2006

2008-09-26T19:42:00.019-04:00

This Santa Rita Cab definitely falls into the category of good cheap wine. As a Reserva, we expected something a little better than the usual low-priced Cab from South America and it did deliver.

The nose is dry but flavorful with a touch of herbs; not really fruity but kind of tight.

On the palate, there is an initial hit of fruit and then the tannins kick in. Wife thought cherries, tart cherries though the label on the bottle identified "black fruit and plums". Wife and label agreed that there was nice spice to it. Husband thought the wine was rich and sturdy and didn't really consider there to be much tartness.

Where we also differed was on the finish. Husband liked the fairly long soft tannins with a touch of oak and vanilla. Wife didn't like the finish that much, saying it was almost slightly bitter like orange zest.

We had this wine with curried pumpkin soup and pita bread and we felt it wasn't really the best food/wine combination. Sometimes that's what happens, though, when when you get down to the bottom of the wine cooler.

We thought this wine had generous structure and enough complexity to keep anyone interested in sipping a glass, with or without food. Despite having a few reservations, Wife thinks a lot of people would really like this wine. Husband though it was a little rough around the edges but agreed that it was certainly likable. At $12.99, however, we thought this wine was a little expensive for what it offered.

Taste: 8 out of 10
Value: 7 out of 10

The Spanish Quarter 2006 Chardonnay - Albarino

2008-09-24T20:29:00.018-04:00

The Spanish Quarter Chardonnay - Albarino is a wine we bought with some trepidation. The name and the label are a little too cute though I admit I've seen worse. But we bought one anyway just because we had never tried a blend of grapes like this one.

We were pleased that the gamble worked out for us. In this case, we both agreed on what was going on: the wine immediately hits you with citrus. Not just lemon, though, but also hints of orange. And the mouthfeel is nice and round with distinct notes of peach (for a change, the label was actually correct).

We had this wine with roasted chicken and string beans fresh from the garden. The straightforward citrus and fruit were a nice complement to this meal and we felt like we were indulging in a little fantasy of eating in a Spanish cafe.

A simple, fruity wine that has the acidity to work well with food. We think this would also go well with a seafood dish like grilled shrimp. Serve well-chilled but as it warms up, the peach comes out front and center. You should be able to find this wine for less than $10 and we consider it a bargain.

Taste: 8 out of 10
Value: 8 out of 10

Rutherford Ranch Zinfandel 2006

2008-09-21T19:35:00.010-04:00

Now here's a very nice Zinfandel. It comes from St Helena in the Napa Valley. It's typically sold for more than our usual price limit of $15 but we picked it up on sale for only $11.99.

This wine has a lot of complexity going for it. Toasty notes, big cherry fruit blast, some nice spice, soft tannins, a long smooth finish. This is a good wine to taste and talk about.

We served this wine with porterhouse steaks sizzling off the grill and a bunch of mixed vegetables. This wine had no problem standing up to this flavorful combination.

Interestingly, this wine is medium-bodied despite all the structure and complexity. It is a good candidate for all kinds of meals from pork loin to salmon. Want to convince a friend red wine is the way to go? Give him/her a glass of this Rutherford Ranch Zin.

If you can find this wine on sale, by all means grab a few bottles. If you can't find it on sale, grab a bottle anyway and save it for a night when you are sharing a fine meal at home with a significant other.

Taste: 9 out of 10
Value: 9 out of 10

Pascual Toso 2007 Malbec

2008-09-19T22:16:00.007-04:00

Heading toward the lower end of our price range, we grabbed this modest Malbec. It comes from the well known Maipu district in Argentina.

Upon opening the bottle, the nose was very light with some floral notes. The wine is deep red like many Malbecs. Tasting didn't leave us too excited at first. This wine was not particularly distinguished. Wife immediately said "It tastes cheap! But then you didn't give it a chance to open." True, I just popped the cork, poured it and tasted it. Oops...

In any case, this Malbec is quite spicy with notes of unripened plum. It's not sweet and it's not big and jammy. Our basic impression was that it is just OK.

In terms of food, we served this wine with a simple pizza and, you know, as the meal progressed it wasn't bad. It actually played well in an informal setting.

The next day, we finished what was left and it had actually held up pretty well. It seemed softer and more mellow.

Simple, informal, pleasant but not likely to send you running back to the store to grab a case. On the other hand, at only $6.99, the price can't be beat.

Taste: 6.5 out of 10
Value: 8 out of 10

PIC-NIQUE 2006

2008-09-16T21:49:00.009-04:00

Made in Northern California by Ledgewood Creek Winery this interesting wine is a blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Mourvedre and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wife exclaimed when she first tasted this, "Wow, heavy on the cherry!" Husband tasted blackberry. In any case, there is no doubt this wine features great fruitiness. The blend of grapes in this wine, though, lends it some interesting levels of complexity beyond simple fruit.

Wait, there's more. Wife thought it was smoky; Husband thought it was spicy. This wine is sufficiently dry to be much more than a fruit bomb. The finish is long and smooth, with a touch of strawberry and glycerine.

We had this wine with grilled salmon with a sprinkling of dried chipotle chili flakes, rice and asparagus. The wine had no trouble standing up to the heat of the chili and the full flavor of the salmon. It has the muscle to pair well with grilled red meats but is soft enough to work with chicken, as well.

This wine was only $10.99 on sale. Yes, by now it's becoming clear to readers that we try to buy things when they are on sale. We would consider this a more than fair price. We agreed this wine was a pleasure, both with the meal and while sipping later in the evening.

Taste: 8.5 out of 10
Value: 9 out of 10

Cantina Zaccagnini Il Bianco di Ciccio 2005

2008-09-13T20:20:00.016-04:00

Cantina Zaccagnini has a well publicized red wine that is often mentioned as one of the Wine Spectator's best values. I'm sure you've seen it in the stores; it has the twig cut from a grape vine twined around the neck of the bottle. Today we are writing about the white wine.

This wine is quite crisp, especially when well chilled. It has a mild nose but comes on with a bit of herb and minerals on the palate, a reasonable amount of fruit and a nice citrus finish. It is made from trebbiano and chardonnay grapes and as such has a nice round mouth feel. It is from the Abruzzo region in central Italy.

We had this wine with an interesting baked dish consisting of pieces of chicken, cauliflower, spinach, a variety of cheeses, breadcrumbs, garlic and herbs. As you can imagine, there were some pretty robust flavors going on in this dish but the Bianco di Ciccio turned out to be solid enough to stand up to them. It seems to have the right proportion of acidity to be a good companion to lively Italian dishes and has a clean, bright approach that would be unlikely to overwhelm a milder dish.

Served by itself as an apertivo this wine might not win many kudos but as a companion to food, it does a fine job. This is an aspect of Italian wines that we find to be quite common.

We paid $10.99 for this wine on sale but it is typically sold for a few dollars more. In our opinion, though it's a good food wine, you should be sure to buy it only when it's on sale. Otherwise, we feel it's a little pricey for what you get.

Taste: 8 out of 10
Value: 8 out of 10 if you get it on sale

Pira Dolcetto D'Alba 2006

2008-09-09T21:38:00.011-04:00

Here is a spunky Italian red wine. Dolcetto's come from the northern end of Italy from the Piedmont region and they vary in quality though in general they are known as earthy, informal wines.

This one is a 2006 Dolcetto D'Alba produced by Luigi Pira. We recommend it as a solid, food friendly wine.

The Pira Dolcetto D'Alba has a fairly mild nose that is somewhat fruity as compared to so many Italian wines that have a rather floral nose.

The color of this wine is a deep red. It has notes of raspberry with a touch of cherry. Upon opening the bottle, there were a ton a tannins making this wine pretty imposing on the palate. Still, it maintained a fruity lightness. The tannins smoothed out over the course of the evening.

We had this wine with grilled Italian sausages and it was a fine pairing. The wine stood up nicely to the robust meal and complemented the food well. We both agreed that it was a good choice and a wine we would be willing to buy again.

We didn't manage to finish the bottle in one sitting. On the second day, we found that the wine had changed its characteristics a bit. Wife thought it had lost some of its structure. Husband thought there was a noticeable touch of alcohol on the finish and a little diminishing of the fruit.

We have purchased this wine several times over the years, always when it was on sale. As a result we have been able to buy it for between $11 and $13.

We like this wine for its ability to pair well with strongly flavored Italian foods. It is good with pastas, pizza and sharp table cheeses. It has good structure and reasonable complexity but is informal enough for a backyard barbecue. Wife is adamant that it's best finished in one night. Husband tends to go for Italian wines in general and is pretty positive on this one in particular.

Taste: 8 out of 10
Value: 7 out of 10

Our first post

2008-09-08T21:30:00.003-04:00

We'd like to introduce ourselves. We are a typical suburban husband and wife with two children, a dog and a cat. We also like good food and, not incidentally, good wine.

Like so many others in our situation, we are not able to keep expensive wines on the dinner table. We need to do the next best thing: find good value bargain wines that are affordable but still yield a measure of enjoyment.

Hence, this blog: Talking Cheap Wine.

What is cheap? By cheap, we mean under $15 per bottle though most of the wines we discuss will probably cost considerably less.

What is value? There are two aspects to value. First, does the wine taste good? Cheap wine doesn’t have to taste cheap or nasty. Second, is it worth the money? Could we have found a similar tasting wine for a lot less money? Could we have found much better tasting wine at the same price? These are subjective criteria but we’ll give you our opinion.

There are so many wines in the world and so many wine producing regions that there are always bargains to be found. Our intention is to share our experiences as we try inexpensive wines from around the world.