On Saturday’s radio show Carmen and I recapped some our best value wines of the summer and talked about wines to pair with end of summer and Labor Day celebrations.
Bogle Family Vineyards wines are some of our favorite values in the $10-$15 range. Try the Sauvignon Blanc, Essential Red, and Old Vine Zinfandel.
The Bacchus label was created by David Gordon, sommelier at the famous Tribeca Grill in Manhattan (Robert DeNero’s place). Gordon’s goal was to create affordable house wines of good, consistent quality in the $12-$14 range. Try the Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.
Pinot Noir is a nice end-of-summer red since it can be served lightly chilled and pairs well with barbecued meats and sides. Budget-friendly Pinot Noir can be challenging but some of the most popular California wineries include Mark West, Mirassou, J. Lohr, and Meomi (full-bodied and sweet for a Pinot Noir). Erath from Oregon’s Willamette Valley with lighter body and bright acidity is one I prefer. Best values for Burgundy under $20 are Louis Jadot or Barton & Gustier.
German Riesling from the Mosel region is a summer classic and the moderately sweet Dr. Loosen pairs well tangy barbecue as well as spicy Asian dishes. For a dryer Riesling try Chateau Ste. Michelle from Washington State’s Columbia Valley.
Wines from the Rioja region of Spain are very versatile depending on how they are made. Rioja wines classified as Gran Reserva and Reserva have longer aging requirements, resulting in fuller body, depth, and complexity. The Crianza classification, with less aging, produces wines that are fresher and fruitier. Serve Crianza lightly chilled with grilled or roasted meats and tomato-based dishes. Marques de Caceres is a prestigious winery in Rioja Alta. While the Gran Reserva and Reserva can be pricy, the Crianza is usually under $15.
Albariño is a white grape grown in cool, wet Atlantic coastal regions of Spain and Portugal. The regions are Rias Baixas in Spain and Vinho Verde in Portugal. The wine is crisp, bone-dry with notes of zesty citrus fruit, stone-fruit and ocean influenced salinity. It pairs well with seafood and is not typically aged in oak. People who enjoy crisp, light-bodied white wines such as Pinot Grigio should try Albariño.
Torres Pazo Das Bruxas Albariño is produced by Familia Torres, a 5th generation winemaking family. Pazo Das Bruxas means “House of the Witches” paying homage to the ancient Galician manor houses surrounded by forests and vineyards where local folklore says witches conjured magic.
Spain produces sparkling wine called Cava from the Catalonia region near Barcelona. It is made in the traditional method of making Champagne and typically has flavors citrus, green apple, and some bread notes from aging on the lees (dead yeast cells). Castell de Vilarnau Cava is one of our favorites.
If you’re looking to make your wine selections look classy without breaking the bank, these two French selections fit the bill. Chateau D’Esclans “The Palm Rosé” is from Provence. The winery is known for high-end Rosés, this is their budget-friendly offering. La Solitude Cotes du Rhone, made from Grenache and Mourvèdre is medium bodied red with approachable tannins. La Solitude also makes premium Chateauneuf du Pape.
Northern Italian wines are easy to find great values to satisfy every taste. Pinot Grigio and Prosecco from the Veneto region to the east and Barbera di Alba from the north-western region of Piedmont are some of our favorites. Try Benvolio Pinot Grigio, Bel Casel Prosecco, and La Spinetta Villadoria Barbera di Alba, all for under $15.
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