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August/September 2008

Past Issues: Bargain Wine, jun/jul 2006 -- Summer Sips!

In this regular feature, we spotlight those wines that offer great bang for the buck -- under $15 bucks, to be exact. Here you'll find our everyday wines, house pours, and occasionally a great new find. Have a favorite Bargain Wine? Tell us about it at editor@wineskinny.com

Here is our annual roundup of hot weather wines -- refreshing and not too heavy, perfect for summer sipping!

Albariño
Adegas Valmiñor 2004 Albariño Rias Baixas ($15). Refreshing and juicy, with tropical fruit aromas and flavors layered with delicate florals and fresh herbs. Nicely balanced, with a long, fresh finish. Ready to drink now.

Bodegas Marqués de Vizhoja 2004 Albariño Rias Baixas Torre la Moreira ($15). Complex floral, wet straw and mineral aromas mingle with melon, pear and peach notes that build to a juicy finish. Very nice. Ready to drink now.

Chardonnay
Bonterra 2004 Chardonnay Mendocino County ($13). Ripe and juicy, with loads of apple, pear and citrus that finish with a touch of cream. Ready to drink now.

Casa Madero 2004 Chardonnay Parra Valley ($10). This Chardonnay from Mexico is mostly unoaked, fresh and juicy, with pretty pear and peach flavors that shine through the finish. Ready to drink now.

Concha y Toro 2004 Chardonnay Casablanca Valley Casillero del Diablo ($9). A refreshing quaff, with juicy apple and lemon flavors that mingle with mineral and toasty oak touches. Ready to drink now.

Rodney Strong 2004 Chardonnay Sonoma County ($15). Nice mouthfeel, features juicy citrus and crisp apple up front, evolving to toasty, creamy vanilla on the end along with a touch of smoke. Ready to drink now.

Terrazas de los Andes 2004 Chardonnay Mendoza ($10). Another solid value from this Argentina winery, with appealingly fresh apple, pear, melon and mouthwatering acidity all wrapped up in a refreshing package. Ready to drink now.

Other White
Rosenblum Vintners Cuvee Blanc V Vin Blanc Extraordinaire California ($10). Mostly Chenin Blanc, with a healthy dose of Sauvignon Blanc and a touch of Viognier, this is a slurpably delightful white. With clean, juicy, aromatic stonefruit - nectarine, apricot - laced with pretty citrus and pear and an appealing vanilla note on the finish. Delish! Ready to drink now.

Pinot Grigio
Tamás Estates 2004 Pinot Grigio Monterey County ($10). A nice Cal-Ital Pinot Grigio, with just a touch of pink in the pale, straw hue. Juicy and refreshing, with peach and lime and grapefruit flavors mingling on a crisp finish. Easy to like. Ready to drink now.

Rosé
Calera 2005 Vin Gris of Pinot Noir ($14). Dry and crisp, with sleek red berry fruit laced with mineral and a touch of tropical citrus. Practically begs for barbecue! Ready to drink now.

Sauvignon Blanc
Babich 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough ($13). Clean and juicy, with loads of citrus and mineral plus touches of ripe nectarine and kiwi that fill out the finish. Ready to drink now.

Drylands 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough ($15). Racy, tropical passion fruit and citrus aromas and flavors stay focused and fruit through the long finish. Ready to drink now.

Sparkling
Segura Viudas NV Cava Brut Reserva ($10). An easy, everyday bubbly, with nectarine and fig flavors that mingle with refreshing citrus. Ready to drink now.

Viognier
L'Ostal Cazes 2004 Viognier Vin de Pays d'Oc Circus ($13). A nice deal on a totally drinkable white -- with aromatic apricot and citrus flavors, mineral and peach accents, and a fruity finish. Ready to drink now.

Rosenblum 2005 Viognier California Kathy's Cuvee ($16). Okay, it's one dollar over the Budget Wine cutoff, but maybe you'll find it for sale at $15 -- it's worth looking for! Appealing for its apricot preserves and juicy peach flavors and aromas, silky texture, and juicy finish. A sexy little wine with a spicy kick on the long finish. Ready to drink now.

Check out previous Bargain Wines selections!
This now-fabulously-named column used to be called Easy To Find One Figure Wines, for reasons that we cannot currently remember but were surely enthusiastic about at the time. Anyhoo, check out our Past Issue Index for more great value-priced wine selections!

 

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