Re: Budget wine thread
 

A few years back my wife and I became really good friends with the owner of our local wine store - she everything from $3 to $500 bottles as well as an incredible selection of great beers

as she got to know our taste (we had been trying the better stuff every once in a while) she suggested a bottle of Crane Lake Cab - at $4 a bottle that became our daily driver so to speak and it is really good

Re: Budget wine thread
 

For under $20 and an "honest wine", I would look for wines from:

Alentejano, Dao, Douro - Portugal
Chinnon - France
Rioja - Spain

I most cases, you should be able to find "Reserva" wines from each appellation.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Thanks for the suggestion. I need to do some stocking up. I will look for these.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

FYI,I may be wrong, but I believe "reserva" has no legal bearing regarding US wines. I know mosesbotl listed foreign wines, just saying in regards to united states wines. Also not saying that US wineries abuse the label.
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Re: Budget wine thread
 

Picked up a Rioja and Douro today.

Proximo by Marques de Riscal Riojo
Charamba Douro

Re: Budget wine thread
 

The Charamba is a good deal for its price. I have had it back to 2000 and is still holding up well. What year did you get? I don't know the Rioja. Please update us with your results!

Re: Budget wine thread
 

I don't know about availability out of state but NY wines from the finger lakes are generally inexpensive and some are outstanding. Dr Konstantin Frank, Anthony Road, and Sheldrake Point vineyards are three that come to mind. Most of their bottles come in under $30 with a fair number under $20

Re: Budget wine thread
 

The Charamba was a 2007. I agree. Had it last night and I was shocked at how good it was for $8. Seems very similar to a Pinot Noir to me. It is one I definitely will keep on hand.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

My wife and I are pretty fond of a local wine called Kick Butt Cab. It's from Texas Hills Vineyard and runs about $18.

Llano Estacado Winery, another local winery, has a really good "cheap" Pino Grigio for about $9.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Great suggestions fellas. I have tried quite a few of the ones mentioned and have found them great as well.

A few more to add (I am on my phone so I hope these have not been mentioned already):

Menage a Trois California Red
Clos Du Bois Chardonnay 2009
Alamos Malbec

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Yep....this is usually a staple in my rack. The Willamette Valley Pinot is very good too. I have heard the Russian River Valley wines are nice, but I have not seen them in a long while.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

2007 is an excellent vintage for Douro wine and port. I am glad to read my suggestion panned out for you! Portugal is a hotbed of good dry wine deals.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Wife an I opened up a bottle of Jefferson Vineyard 2001 Petit Verdo that I have had hidden away for a few years Sunday evening...think i paid around 25 +/- for it at the time, before I laid it down.... Decant it, then we used one of my x-mas gifts, a Vinturi, and it was quite good. I really like Petit Verdo's as a single blend..i have a 2002 from same place Ill be looking forward to next year, if I can wait that long. :)

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Il Bastardo Sangiovese, $7 in my neck of the woods

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Pretty good stuff...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

Re: Budget wine thread
 

I haven't see if it has been mentioned yet, but I like Layer Cake Shiraz; it can be found for around $15 a bottle.

:tu
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Re: Budget wine thread
 

Had a very good bottle of "budget" wine at my brothers house tonight... 2009 Kendall Jackson GR Chardonnay. Retails $18. Not over oaked all.. Good buttery fruit, winner in my book.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Symingtons Altano red is one I'd put against any $10 bottle of wine from where ever in the world. This is quality stuff that I haven't seen anything that can compete for a daily drinker.

Been some good posts on this thread, but few I would really consider a budget wine at $15+ (maybe I am too poor or cheap for this thread?)

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Moses, I agree, for me budget is around 8-12 for a bottle (which great wine can be had for), however if anyone offers to share a bottle with me, they all are budget for me:D

Re: Budget wine thread
 

We're by no means wine connoisseurs, but the lil lady and I love us some Justin Vineyards. Normally can be found for around twenty five bucks, our local wine shop recently had it on sale for eighteen. Came home with a case of 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon. :tu

Just for everyday slurping, our weapon of choice is Apothic Red, which can usually be found between ten and fifteen bucks.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

IMO the best red for the price is Meridian Cab. When it is on sale at our local Raley's it goes for $5.99 a bottle, wonderful value. Otherwise, we like Bogle, Ravenswood Zin, Rosso from FF Capolla, and Zins from Kenwood. Many more too!

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Beaune Vignes Franches, Premier Cru 2009, Mazilly Pere et Fils $18
Haven't had a good Beaune since coming back from Dijon in the late 80s. I'm not chasing $50 and up wines and anything under $20 has not impressed me. Actually, the few times I've purchased $40-60 burgundy in the last few years I've been underwhelmed. This was nicely priced on WTSO.

Chianti Classico Riserva, Vigneto Odoardo Beccari Vignavecchia 2007 $23
Single vineyard Chianti that we like quite a bit. Again, WTSO.

Gelisi Antonio Sangue Di Giuda $9. Sweet, petillant red that has great flavors. I would not have expected to like this but it was recommended by the "wine guy" at Kroger.

And a local Virginia wine we like:
Villa Appalaccia Sangiovese (80% Sangiovese, 20% Montepulciano) $18

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Malbec is an awesome red that a lot of people
Haven't heard of. It's a good dinner party wine. The reason i say this is because wine snobs can enjoy it, people who don't drink wine frequently can enjoy, and the person hosting the party can Enjoy it as well since there are several brands offering bottles less than $10. I prefer Malbecs that are cast in oak, as I love the oaky ( is this a word) flavors.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

I find big, jammy Argentinian Malbecs often a bit much (too much alcohol, too ripe), but we really like Cahors as well as Virginia Malbecs such as Pearmund (not on their web page but available at the winery).

Re: Budget wine thread
 

I picked up a bottle of KJ 2009 Cabernet GR recently on sale for ~$15 that I was pretty damn impressed with.

Multi quoting you tonight. We should hang out. :tu

I agree. With my fairly limited experience (4 years being serious about wine), I find the $12-$15 range to be my sweet spot for everyday type wines.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Definitely a quality (or taste) of wine and I agree. Some folks do not enjoy 'oaky' Cabs. I love it. If I could build a cab that was super jammy AND super oaky, I'd buy it.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

The GR chard was pretty good. I need to try the cab now, thanks for the heads up:)

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Try a new world CA pinot noir.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Great. Any reccos?

Re: Budget wine thread
 

David Bruce or Kirkland/Costco Pinot

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Again, on Moses' suggestion, I am checking out more spanish/portuguese wines these days. Had this one tonight. Outstanding for $10.

http://images.nitrosell.com/product_...ja%2010LAB.jpg

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Nice. Take a look for Altano by Symington Estates (Portuguese), and any Crasto wines also from Portugal.

http://www.independent.co.uk/incomin...460/grapes.jpg

Re: Budget wine thread
 

I'm just starting to drink wine for a year or so. I don't have anything to add to this thread for now, but thanks for all the suggestions.

Also, I am debating on buying several bottles from empire wine online. Since I'm so new, I thought I would start buying the under $20 bottles that are rated 90+. Think thats a good starting point?

Re: Budget wine thread
 

You can try starting with a country or region. Read up on the region, try the wines famous from the region. Take note of the grapes used and apply everything you learned to the next region. France is where I'd start, with Italy 2nd.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

My favorite budget wine is Apothic Red. It is a blend, but for 9.99-11.99 it is one of the best!

Re: Budget wine thread
 

A great bottle of wine often in our rack.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Just tried two bottles of this, and it will become a regular staple in our rack.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

G/f had some 14 hands chardonnay. She said she really liked it and I have seen it as low as $9 for a bottle.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

This has become a go to for me thanks to Ken (SteelCityBoy):
http://blog.bluef15h.com/wp-content/...rootwine-6.jpg

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Wasn't too crazy about that one. If memory serves right, it was quite extracted & juicy. Too new world style for me. Does get a lot of accolades though.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Yah I am new to wine so I have no idea what is meant to be what, I just know that to me it tastes good. :dr

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Like what you smoke, smoke what you like...'err drink.

Re: Budget wine thread
 

Hahahahahahahaha thats great

Re: Budget wine thread
 

J. Lohr 7 Oaks cabernet $15 dry and great