After the countless occasions I've perused wine shops this year and last, it's still a challenge to find some really good, everyday wine that doesn't break the bank. Now that I think of it, I had spent a small, graduate student fortune on wine last year. I bought bottles in a wide range of prices from $6 to $100+. But for "everyday wine", I usually spent about $20. For a "nice treat wine"- $35. Special occasion wine- $60. Then there are the $100+ bottles I'm hanging onto. But when it comes down to it, price does not guarantee a good or bad wine.
In 2012, I had a lot of good wine, but I also had a lot of wine that wasn't worth the price point. Looking back at all the good bottles of wine I had in 2012, I have compiled a list of my four favorites that are a great value. Everyone wants more bang for their buck and here are the wines that I feel deliver:
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(1) Allegrini 'Palazzo della Torre' Veronese, 2008, $19
This full-bodied, Italian wine is sourced from an estate north of Verona (Romeo and Juliet!). In short, the taste hints of blackberries, tobacco, and minerals. 90 points and listed in 'Top 100 Wines of 2011' from Wine Spectator.
(2) Louis Latour Beaune, $18
This is a true French style white wine. Light, crisp, mineralic, not fruity like Californian white wines. While it lacks in complexity, this is an easy drinking wine which is also very versatile when it comes to food pairing. I have bought 3 or 4 bottles so far and enjoy it with seafood, pasta alfredo, roast chicken, mushrooms.
(3) G. Chevalier Sauternes, 2009, 350ml, $12.99
I love the dessert wine Sauternes. It's so sweet and even people who do not like wine usually admit that Sauternes is pretty good. Sauternes prices can get pretty expensive. My favorite Sauternes this year is the 2001 Chateau Giraud. Unfortunately, that bottle is $60. When I saw this G. Chevalier bottle in Trader Joe's for $12.99, my curiosity wouldn't let me pass it up. Come to find out, this wine is actually produced by Chateau Giraud exclusively for Trader Joe's. Wow, was I lucky. If a sweet wine which tastes of honey, citrus, and apricots sounds good to you, pick up this bottle!
In 2012, I had a lot of good wine, but I also had a lot of wine that wasn't worth the price point. Looking back at all the good bottles of wine I had in 2012, I have compiled a list of my four favorites that are a great value. Everyone wants more bang for their buck and here are the wines that I feel deliver:
.JPG)
(1) Allegrini 'Palazzo della Torre' Veronese, 2008, $19
This full-bodied, Italian wine is sourced from an estate north of Verona (Romeo and Juliet!). In short, the taste hints of blackberries, tobacco, and minerals. 90 points and listed in 'Top 100 Wines of 2011' from Wine Spectator.
(2) Louis Latour Beaune, $18
This is a true French style white wine. Light, crisp, mineralic, not fruity like Californian white wines. While it lacks in complexity, this is an easy drinking wine which is also very versatile when it comes to food pairing. I have bought 3 or 4 bottles so far and enjoy it with seafood, pasta alfredo, roast chicken, mushrooms.
(3) G. Chevalier Sauternes, 2009, 350ml, $12.99
I love the dessert wine Sauternes. It's so sweet and even people who do not like wine usually admit that Sauternes is pretty good. Sauternes prices can get pretty expensive. My favorite Sauternes this year is the 2001 Chateau Giraud. Unfortunately, that bottle is $60. When I saw this G. Chevalier bottle in Trader Joe's for $12.99, my curiosity wouldn't let me pass it up. Come to find out, this wine is actually produced by Chateau Giraud exclusively for Trader Joe's. Wow, was I lucky. If a sweet wine which tastes of honey, citrus, and apricots sounds good to you, pick up this bottle!
(4) Vinterra Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010, $25
I came across this wine at a Columbia, SC wine shop called Green's Beverages. I cannot find much information on this wine online. All I know is that this wine was sold as excess from a premium winery (wish I knew which one!) on Howell Mountain in Napa Valley. Of course this premium winery's name is a secret because they don't sell bottles of wine for $25. It may be $25, but it drinks like a $50 bottle. It's very smooth for being so young. The wine is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Decanting recommended.
