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By The Glass By Roberto Viernes |
Fine wines that are
easy on the walletAs a wine educator and wine fanatic, finding great wine values is an exciting part of my daily travail. People are constantly asking me to recommend bottles that are "the best values." It is both fun and satisfying to pour a glass for someone, see them smile and offer me praise for bringing such a wonderful libation, then watch their eyes light up as I tell them that the wine costs no more than a couple of plate lunches.
Here are a few that will certainly satisfy both your palate and your pocketbook:
Those who love sauvignon blancs absolutely must try the 2002 Chartron La Fleur. This beautiful white from Bordeaux is made from 80 percent sauvignon blanc and 20 percent semillon, two classic grapes that make up the dry Graves style of wine.
This wine's aroma is super-intense, with an amalgam of grapefruit, green papaya, honeydew, citrus and freshly cut grass. The flavor is just as power-packed, with tropical fruits and an aftertaste that lasts almost a minute. It has a wonderfully refreshing acidity and a nice texture. This is definitely no "oak bomb," but crisp, lively and packed with juicy flavor! Try it with goat cheese or mussels sautéed with garlic and butter. With only a $10 retail price tag, you can't afford not to try it!
OK, so you're not into French wines for the moment, then let's look at California. It has become difficult to find truly great values in California because so few California wineries are willing to reduce their prices and because of the glut of wines of better value coming in from other parts of the globe. Nonetheless, I have found such a rarity from Napa Valley, the 2002 Pavi Pinot Grigio. This is the Italian white grape, grown organically at a vineyard in Yountville, Calif.
Did you know that pinot grigio is now the second most consumed white wine in the United States? The aroma of this one is bright with citrus fruits, hints of flowers and a nice lace of vanillin. The flavor is equally engaging, with lots of plump orchard fruits, a hint of orange peel and an expansive mouthfeel that makes it a perfect pair for chicken piccata or just some salami and antipasto at a friend's house. It's $16 a bottle; any friend is worth at least that.
The next time you have friends over, think about a wine from one of the world's hottest wineries -- Marquis Philips. Dan Philips, American wine importer, and Sparky Marquis, renowned OZ winemaker, have teamed up to make some of winedom's best values. This is a marriage made in heaven.
They make great cabernet sauvignon and merlot, but they make killer shiraz! This wine smells like a wonderful plum pie -- loads of cassis and blueberry essence, with a nice whiff of coconut and vanilla from American oak aging. The taste is mouth-filling, with unctuous flavors of berries and spice. This is a massive wine for a minuscule price of $14! Try it with whatever you like. I like it with perfectly grilled steaks and really good company.
These are just a few of the exciting values available. Great drinking wines shouldn't have to break the bank or your credit limit. So get out there and buy a bottle, or even two. It's just a few plate lunches more.
Roberto Viernes is wine educator for Southern Wine and Spirits.
This column is a weekly lesson in wine pairing written by a rotating panel of wine professionals. Write to features@starbulletin.com
