Budget Vino

One of these days, I need to write a post about the vast, almost endless selection of Australian red blends that cost $10 or $12. These are solid, dependable wines -- the Rosemounts, Lindemans and McWilliam's -- that are a step up from the livestock wines that have dominated the Aussie export market for the past decade. Until then, consider this: The Penfolds ($12, sample ), which is a a good example of the quality and value that these wines deliver. The biggest problem with most cheap red wines is that they're offensive -- literally. Ask a beginning wine drinker who says he or ... Read Full Story

Wine Whore Review: This week's poll winner is a winery with a magical story: "In the fourteenth century, alchemists believed they could miraculously transform ordinary metals into silver and gold with the help of the mineral cinnabar. Consequently, this purple-red derivative of mercury was highly coveted by medieval nobility. Cinnabar founder Tom Mudd (1942–2007) as he captured the magic of alchemy in his handcrafted wines." Today, Winemaker George Troquato combines small, intensely flavored grapes with meddle-free winemaking to produce three lines of complex, well-balanced wines: Santa Cruz Mountains Wines Central Coast Wines Saratoga village Tasting Room collection of limited-production exclusives Never Wine Alone: Wine ... Read Full Story

Wise Wine Review: Parducci Sustainable White Mendocino County 2007 (click for more info) Taste Score = 8/10 Points Cost Score = 9.5/10 Points Overall Score = 8.4/10 Points (Additional stats below) When this bottle of wine showed up, I didn't know what to think. Sustainable White? What the heck does that mean? What does sustainable have to do with wine? As I did more research, it became more apparent that I might have a good bottle of wine on my hands. What's more, this bottle only costs $10. Yes, $10! Before we crack it open and see if there's a pearl in this oyster, ... Read Full Story

Wise Wine Review: Joel Gott California Zinfandel 2007 (click for more info) Taste Score = 8.5/10 Points Cost Score = 9/10 Points Enjoyability Score = 9/10 Points Overall Score = 8.75/10 Points (Additional stats below) Joel Gott, a Wine Whore who knows how to make a kick-ass burger! We have all been there. After hours of drinking wine, beer, liquor, or whatever the heck your favorite alcoholic beverage happens to be, you realize that your stomach needs some love. Be careful! This is a critical turning point. My mother once told me some important words of wisdom. She said "If the room starts to ... Read Full Story

Wine Whore Review: Rominger West Yolo County California Rosé 2007 (click for more info) Enjoyability Score = 8/10 Points Overall Score = 8.13/10 Points (Additional stats below) wine label credit: Just Karen Trying new wine is all about mystery. Heck, that's half the fun! This week I wanted to share the excitement of opening a bottle of wine I would have otherwise never tried. I asked you to pick for me the bottle to drink based on hardly any information at all. What better way to make an educated decision? Alright, there may be a million better ways but that's not the point. Here's ... Read Full Story