Cheap, bountiful, wine.

[oooo35980]

Hi, new to the boards, just wanted to get some opinions on cheap and easy to find wine, that's actually decent.  My wife and I travel alot, but we love wine, I like to sit down and have a bottle or 2 between us a few nights a week.  Problem is I don't want to hunt down a good wine shop in every city I'm in.  I know nothing about wine, just what I like and what I don't.  I can walk into practically any wine shop and tell the guys what I like and come out with some good wines.  For example I like Cabernet Sauvignon, I like it to have enough tannin that can tell its a Cabernet, but not so much that it turns my face inside out.  But when I get to the local grocery store, which is where we end up buying most of our wine, I'm lost.  Every time I pick up a bottle of Grocery store wine I end up getting it home and it's a serious disappointment.  We got so frustrated I pretty much just buy Barefoot now.  It's not really good but I've never taken one sip and just wanted to pour it down the drain either.  Right now I'm drinking Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc, which I can best describe as adequate, it's too sour and it's missing that grapefruity taste I love so much.  So any suggestions on wine I can just run to practically any grocery store in the country and not be disappointed by?  I know it's a tall order, but I thought I'd ask anyways.

[tanninbed]

Howdy there,
To try and tackle your question, there are a few wines that are pretty common throughout supermarkets and are decent.  The issue arrises in the price range that you are looking to stay in.  As far as Cabernet goes, in the 10-20 dollar range, you can find Five Rivers, and Menage A Trois at the lower end and Merryvale, Paso Creek are decent mid to upper teen priced wine.  In your favor, are the quality of the recent vintages in Napa.  2005 and 2007 were both great years in northern California so there was some good wine made across the board in Napa from either year.  If you are near a Costco, I highly recommend the 2007 Kirkland signature Napa Cab for $12.99.  It is exactly what you explained you like.  Another great Cabernet at Costco under or around $20 is Bueller, a consistent solid wine-maker. 
For Sauvignon Blanc, if you want the grapefruit flavor, pick up most any Marlborough region wine from New Zealand, like Nobilo or Kim Crawford. 
Good luck! And if you want to get some great wines at super cheap prices sent to your home, check out tanninbed.com.
Let me know how the search goes.
 

[hazelg]

Best good, cheap sparkling wines and champagnes

Believe it or not, there are some great tasting bubblies to be had for less than $20. Here are ten great celebration wines that won’t put a dent in your party budget.

   1. Roederer Estate Brut, Anderson Valley (Around $20) – One of the pricier “budget” sparklers on our list, this is a delicious California wine that hits your palate with a toasty and nutty flavor before the flavors of citrus and pear wash over your tongue. Roederer is best known for making the celebrity bubbly of choice — “Cristal”, which retails for around $300. In a way, when you drink this budget champagne, you’ll be living the rock star lifestyle at a rock bottom price.
   2. Argyle 2000 Brut ($16) -This bubbly sets the standard for budget champagnes in America — this wine features those much sought after “tiny bubbles” with flavors of citrus and green apple. Don’t let the price fool you — this is a sophisticated wine, only slightly sweet with a fruit tone.
   3. Non Vintage Barefoot Bubbly California Premium Extra Dry ($9) -A very popular California vintner — Barefoot makes a sweet chardonnay blend champagne that somehow manages to also come across as incredibly dry on the palate. A crowd pleaser, this sparkler features flavors of bread, honey, and citrus. With a cute label and a name like “Barefoot”, both the wine and the label will be a big hit at your next party.
   4. Mumm Napa Brut Prestige, Napa Valley ($16) – This is a straight up budget champagne, well worth the less than $20 price tag. Crisp and dry with a gentle sparkle, you and you guests will enjoy the aroma of citrus and melon.
   5. Gruet Brut Blanc de Blancs ($13) -I live in New Mexico, and have the privilege of living near many of the wineries producing solid vino from this non traditional “wine state”. Gruet is getting a ton of buzz in the wine world for their range of sparkling wines, and this affordable sparkler is an exceptional example of the “Blanc de Blancs” tradition. Enjoy this wine’s mature taste (for flavor, think pear, apple and hazelnut) for under $15.
   6. Korbel Sparkling Natural Chardonnay ($12.99) -Chardonnay-exclusive champagne is a relatively new category in sparkling wine – since Chardonnay is “America’s favorite wine”, it is natural for a company to use the singular grape varietal to make an outstanding champagne. This is another very “drinkable” bubbly, though wine snobs will say its a bit too sweet. Avoid this wine if you prefer more “dry” wines.
   7. Veuve Clicquot Non Vintage Brut Yellow Label ($34) – This is a bit out of our “budget range” — but if you’re willing to make a small splurge, this is an excellent champagne to venture out for. Veuve Clicquot is smooth and creamy at first taste with that classic toasty champagne finish. If you’re generally put off by the sweetness of champagne, this is a good choice, as it is also not too “dry” for the novice champagne drinker.
   8. Freixenet Brut Nature ($9) – In Spain, sparkling wine is called “cava”, and Spanish sparklers are usually terrific values. I picked Freixenet because their line of cavas is exceptional, and for less than a ten spot you can pick up this very dry and smooth bubbly, with what wine connoissuers call “a mineral complexity.”
   9. Martini & Rossi Prosecco ($12.99) – The Italian version of champagne is called “prosecco” and is less “bubbly” than most sparkling wines. A gentle bubbly wine, Martini & Rossi’s prosecco is a very “drinkable” wine with a clean and crisp finish. The flavors found here are a mix of bread and peach, apple, and melon. Surprise your guests with a less traditional “prosecco” toast at a great price.
  10. Cook’s Grand Reserve California Champagne (Approx. $5) – Not only the cheapest on this list, but also likely the most “drinkable” budget sparkler — I often find this beauty on sale for as little as $2.50 a bottle. Perfect to buy in bulk for large parties and suitable for those who fear champagne, this wine is dry with a mild fruit flavor and overtones of vanilla.

Good, cheap European-style red blends

A great way to find an awesome deal on a red wine is to look for a European-style red wine blend — that is, a wine composed of many different grapes. These are incredibly tasty, and many of them are great deals at twice the price.

   1. Cousino-Macul 2004 Finis Terrae ($18) – This Cab and Merlot blend from Chile will knock your socks off with flavor and aroma. From cherry and vanilla to oak and plum, its all here. Aromas of herbs and black currant entice you to drink up. An amazing and complex blend, this wine is a steal at just under $20.
   2. 2003 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ($22) -This was not a great year for the grapes that go into this blend — the result is a severely “alcohol” taste that almost overpowers the typical red blend flavors of blackberry, currant, and dark berries. Even through the alcoholic flavor, the aroma and mouth feel are well worth the cost of this wine. A unique blend meant to be drunk as soon as possible.
   3. Martin & Weyrich 2003 Insieme ($15) -Spicy and peppery with plenty of cherry and fruit, this is a well balanced red blend that is not too tannin heavy — don’t expect an overly “alcoholic” taste. Pairs great with Italian foods.
   4. Foppiano Vineyards Lot 96, Bin 001 ($9) -An incredible value, this wine features heavy tannins and alcohol, and a big “punch” to the nose in terms of fruit aroma. Flavors are typical for red blends — dark fruit and cherries.
   5. Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards 2003 Mandolina Classico Toccata ($19) -Made in the style of the popular and usually pricey “Super Tuscan” wines, this blend is not the most affordable on the list, but certainly one of the tastiest. Made from a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet, and Merlot grapes, this is a wine you will not soon forget. Expect berry aroma and flavor, along with notes of cherry and currant.
   6. Altano 2004 Douro ($8) -Cherry and red fruit dominate this extremely affordable red blend that registers somewhere between a sweet and a dry red. Great for the price, but not my favorite blend — this wine should be consumed as soon as possible, as age can only descrease the flavor and aroma.
   7. Arnaldo Caprai 2003 Montefalco Rosso ($19) -A “typically Italian” blend — this is another everyday drinking wine in the classic Italian style. Not too intensely flavored, but bolder than similarly style blends. Expect dark fruit and cherry on the nose and in the mouth.
   8. Perrin & Fils 2006 Perrin Réserve ($10) -A beautiful ruby color in the glass, this blend is ideal for stocking around the house for everyday drinking. Spicy in the nose and on the palate, there is a slight licorice undertone to the expected dark ripe fruit flavor.
   9. Cellar de l’Encastell 2006 Marge ($20) -A mostly Grenache blend that is heavy with cherry and blueberry notes, this wine is spicy and full of flavor. Decant this wine for an hour or so to fully appreciate its flavor. Long lasting and “big” in the mouth, this blend rivals reds that cost three times as much.
  10. Trentadue 2003 “0ld Vines Red” Sonoma County Red Wine ($14.99) -A dark, inky-purple wine that is almost opaque in the glass, this blend from Sonoma is made up of 5 classic red grapes, and the heavy dark fruit flavors are evidence of this varied blend.