First off, my general way at looking at wine consumption is if you like it, drink it. For example, Matt & I have no problem ordering the cheapest bottle of wine at our favorite swank restaurant because it's our favorite. In addition, one of my favorite everyday Chardonnays comes in a box from the supermarket. So if you like it, don't let the price tag or a wine snob tell you differently. I've encountered many of them in my time and I now actually get great joy in turning my own nose up at their 50$ bottles (except for a few that are TOTALLY worth it)One other note is that I've really only begun to explore wine, and to this day I am somewhat limited to California wines. Hey, why go far and wide when some of the best is in my backyard?
A final word of advice is to try anything. What do you have to lose? A couple years ago I volunteered to pour wine at a local Greek festival and found out the Greeks make some damn good, if not unique, tasting wine. Probably would have never know that otherwise. So anyways, back to the list.
Bubbly
I LOVE champagne with food. Something about the sweetness initially lead me to think it wouldn't stand up food the way that the strong flavors and aromas in wine could , but oh was I wrong.
Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs - $17.99
Korbel Brut Rose - $12.99
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label - $21.99
and just for fun...
Wilson Creek Almond Champagne - $12.99
White
I am a big chardonnay fan. Give me as much butter and oak as you can get into a bottle. However, I can also appreciate different varietals.
Barefoot Cellars Chardonnay - $5.99
Bogle Chenin Blanc 2006 - $8.99
Edna Valley Vineyard Chardonnay 2007 - $9.99
Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay Reserve 2005 - $35.99
Folie a Deux Chardonnay Napa 2006 - $14.99
Grgich Hills Chardonnay 2006 - $35.99
La Crema Chardonnay 2007 - $14.99 (ALL TIME FAVORITE!)
Laetitia Pinot Blanc Estate 2006 - $15.99
Nickel & Nickel 2005 Chardonnay Searby Vineyard - $50.00
Rombauer Chardonnay 2007 - $31.99
Sterling Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - $14.99
Red
Still seeking a cheap red alternative. My husband and his dad made their own about red blend 5 years, and that's been filling in for now. Let me know if anyone has a good suggestion!
Caymus Cabernet 2006 - $69.99 (One of the few $50+ bottles that I think is worth it)
Cinnabar Merlot 2006 - $16.99
David Bruce Pinot Noir Santa Rita 2004 - $42.99
Louis Martini Cabernet Alex Vly 2005 - $29.99
Quivira Zinfandel 2006 - $19.99
Robert Hall Rhone de Robles 2006 - $14.99
Ruffino Chianti Riserva Ducale Tan 2004 - $25.99
Toad Hollow Eye Of The Toad 2007 - $9.99 (pink but AWESOME)
Wild Horse Pinot Noir 2007 - $22.99
So there you go. Here's to hoping all of you out there get the chance to enjoy a nice bottle of wine this weekend!
4 comments:
Thank you very much. I am taking notes to see what we carry localy in Michigan.
One of my all time favorite wines is EOS Petite Syrah (Paso Robles winery) It is so dark in color, it dark purple in color. Very yummy!
oh, i LOVE this. thank you!
la crema is also one of my favorites!
Delurking here to talk wine, a favorite subject. Especially CA wines.
Consilience Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir are favorites. $30ish
Steele Stymie Syrah rocks, but is hard to find. $40ish
Mt Palomar Shorty's Bistro is a great table wine, awesome with pasta. $28
Yellow Tail Merlot, Australian great bargain red $6/8 I like their Shiraz blend too.
Our all time favorite decently priced Italian is Amarone Della Valipolicella. $38
There are lots more, but hubby is better at remembering the names. I tend to remember grapes and blends. I love most meritages, spanish and italian sangioveses and CA zinfandels. Have also recently discovered white merlots, which are yummy. Hubby likes big CA cabs and tawny port. We prefer pinot grigios and albarinos for whites, although I've tried some South African whites recently that I really enjoyed (think they were sauvignon blancs).
I'm adding the EOS to the list to try, as well as a few others. Love to try new stuff.
If you're ever in San Diego, you must visit Bacchus Wine Mart in the Gaslamp. Great selection, amazing prices, tastings daily, and super nice service. It's on G St. between 6th and 7th.
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