The last entry was old world, we're going to move on straight to new world. With a few mentions. Eastern European wines, if you can find them, tend to be decent and fairly inexpensive. However, they're not as consistent as some other inexpensive regions (like Chile), so just be warned.
Also, France. There are many beautiful bottles of wine for $15 or sometimes event $10 from Southern France. BUT, the price has gone up. The Euro's stronger, but also these wines are gaining recognition (as they should), but that means the once REALLY good values aren't so good.
Basically, these are areas not to ignore. And there are some values to be found from Germany and Austria as well--but the more sure fire values are ones I'm listing. As in, they'll be good, I promise, easier to find. and really are under $15 (Trying to keep it closer to $10) with a few exceptions, but those few are worth those extra two or three dollars.
Okay, on with it
NEW ZEALAND
Always can find some nice values here, especially if you're looking for a really great Pinot Noir, but don't want to pay the Oregon or Burgundian Or Californian price. And, as I think everyone knows, great sauvignon blancs coming out of this country. VERY grapefruity--almost too much for me, personally, sometimes. But citrusy crisp whites are a great way to start your holiday gatherings. Really nice with goat cheese.
- Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc $11--white wine
- Gisen Sauvignon Blanc $13--white wine
- Drylands Dry Riesling $13--white wine and VERY dry
- Matua Valley Pinot Noir $14--red wine
AUSTRALIA
As I mentioned in the other entry, shiraz's from this country are great choices for holiday dinners, and one can find some really great deals. I do urge you to stay away from Yellow Tail, however. That wine...is...well, let me put this nicely, there's better ones out there. At the same price. Just look.
- Strong Arms Shiraz $11
- Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz $10 (one should be able to find this at your local market, and just because it's well distributed, doesn't mean it's bad. It's quite good)
- Oxford Landing Merlot $7--really great producer of 'value' priced wines. I'd say look for their shiraz, but it usually sells out by now. The merlot is a great choice for food, though.
- Yulumba Y series Shiraz/Viognier $10
- d'Arenberg Stump Jump Red $11--red blend of shiraz, grenache, mourvedre
SOUTH AFRICA
Really nice wines coming from this country, but somewhat hard to find as well. Their economy is doing really poorly (um, not that many other economies have much to boast about these days). This may mean we may see more on the market at a lower price, or not at all. I feel as though I'm seeing less and less South African wines, but I'm not entirely sure if that's the case. I actually am friends with a South African winemaker, I should just ask him what the exporting is looking like these days. Sad times, indeed, however. Some brands to look for, and if you run across a 'pinotage', give it a go. Grape that's a clone of Pinot Noir developed in South Africa:
- Mann
- Goats do Roam Co.
- Mulderbosch (their cab rose' is OUTSTANDING!)
- Excelsior
- Graham Beck (Sparkling is great)
CHILE
I think there's something like 100 producers in Chile, yet it's the fifth largest exporter of wine to the US in the world. That's huge output for only 70 wineries. And, yes I'm pulling all this information straight out of my head, so I could be wrong on this. But this is important, on a few levels. 1. it explains why chile's wines tend to be a bit less expensive. These are bigger operations with bigger out put, thus their economy of cost is less. 2. if you're concern with fair trade and humane treatment of workers, Chilean wines are worth questioning. I have no idea which wineries are the 'good wineries' and which ones are the 'bad wineries' and American wineries need to be looked upon in terms of pay rates for field workers as well. But Chile (and South Africa) have a long road of equal and fair treatment ahead of them. In some European countries (Spain, Portugal) wine is subsidized because it's such an important part of the culture, thus lower prices. Chile? Not so much.
I only mention this to be fair. I drink Chilean wine with the best of them, but I know this is a concern for many. Especially people who are concerned about current trade agreements with Chile. Wine seems romantic, but it's often not.
On that happy note....on with the wine. Indeed, value priced, and some good stuff. I have to say though, it's not my favorite. When given the opportunity I tend to look across the boarder towards Argentina. Perhaps it's my nagging humanitarian issues (although I claim to be neither a humanitarian in general, nor all that sympathetic), or just Chilean wines in general. They tend to be very distinctive and have an almost ganja-esque quality to them. Not something I want in my wine, personally. But many people love that unusual quality (or perhaps it's not so unusual for them, if you get what I'm saying) or just love the value. Either way, this is a country I'm not eagerly putting up here, but cannot deny it in the value. And there is quality there. Enough preaching, on with the list, a producer list again:
- Castillo de Molina (especially their cab, wonderful and tends to be $8/bottle)
- Viu Manent
- La Playa
- Montes
- Los Vascos
ARGENTINAAlright. So you know i prefer wine from this country. But it also tends to cost a few bucks extra compared to their neighbor.
Two wines to look for from this country, in general, are Malbec for red and Torrontes for white. Malbec, as many know, is a nice, rich, fruity and floral red wine with chewy qualities--great for big meals. Torrontes is a native white grape that smells like a sweet muscat, but finishes dry. Also great for these dinners. Both these grapes are planted extensively throughout Mendoza (main growing region) and therefore, are easy to find. And are good.
- Crios line for Susan Balbo (mentioned on here before around $15)
- Zolo $10--like crios, comes in variety of options. Malbec and Torrontes are recommended.
- Alamos malbec $12
PACIFIC NORTHWEST
I'm going to leave out California. Why? I'm biased and I'll admit it. I've had MANY great cali wines, but it's over-saturated in the market, for the most part. And while i think bargains should be found, why not try something a bit different, eh?
So here are some producers to look out for, some specific offerings, some more general.
- Yamhill, OR--they have a $14 Pinot Noir that's outstanding
- Benton Lane, OR--usually under $20 (i know, more than $10), but both their pinot Noir and pinot gris are great, and happen to be on sale online right now for $15--so maybe similar deals in your local wine shop?
- King Estate, OR
- Bethel Heights, OR
- Duck Pond Cellars, OR (quality's gone slightly downhill, in my opinion, but their pinot gris is awesome and usually $8)
- Kiona, WA (try their Limburger, $14)
- Powers, WA (most are on the market for $14 or less, merlot is especially nice. They also have an organic/no sulfite added line called Badger Mt. AND a great BOX of Cabernet for $19)
- Hogue, WA
- Snoqualmie Vineyards, WA--great line from $7-$11. Also have an organic line called "Naked"
- Columbia Crest--and if you consider that cheap, poorly made wine, get over it. Some really fine wines are being made from this company and ridiculous prices.
That's it. Whatever you end up drinking for Thanksgiving, enjoy your dinner.
As for me? Haven't a clue what we'll be having, yet. I'll give a recap, though.
cheers.
Comments (2)
OK, I actually wrote some of these down on a small piece of cardboard which I am currently storing in my wallet. You are a bastard for getting me interested in wine. It's ruining my reputation....
@evilcatofhell - what reputation? As a drinker...I don't think I'm ruining that...