Gents,
I've always been a beer drinker, but the wife and I are drinking more red wine with dinner lately. Never really sure what to buy and I only have 30 seconds to browse in the wine aisle before the kids (1 & 3) start reaching for bottles. Any recommendations on decent reds for under $10? I realize that wine prices vary depending on location.
Any former sommeliers out there?
Chef?
Cheers,
Jim
You can check out my bro-in-law's web site:
http://www.cheapwineratings.com
..........................................
http://www.altparenting.com
I have had good luck finding decent $10 bottles at Trader Joes - the problem is when you go back to buy more of one you like it is usually sold out. I don't think Costco's selection is as good at that pricepoint.
If you are looking for a wine to drink when you are grilling steaks try something like a cabernet-shiraz.
I like Penfold's "Koonunga Hill" which is widely available but most of the Aussie ones are decent.
I brought a bottle of "Le Mouton Noir" Cabernet-Shiraz (drawing of a black sheep on the label) to a cookout when I was out of town and really enjoyed it, I have seen it around but not sure where.
The wife likes Ravenswood Cabernet Sauvignon and can be found at most stores. If your in Chicago try looking at Traders Joes for a Italian tabe wine. Its label is in Itialian but it means Son of Bollo. TJ also has the 2 buck chuck(Charles Shaw)for the times your really under budget.
Go and find a Binny's, they have a great selection of cheep to expensive wines. They also hold wine tasting events all the time.
Try
Chatau St Michelle
Columbia-Crest
Fat Bastard
to name a few
If you can spend a little more try Coppolla's
For under 20, We like the MaryHIll Viognier(white)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bellyman_7/
Gary Vaynerchuk of WineLibrary.tv has written a new book on wines that sounds like a fun and informative read:
http://tv.winelibrary.com/101-wines/
He'll be in Chicago on Wed. July 30 promoting his book if you want to check him out in person.
I have to confess I'm more of a beer guy than a wine guy. I tend to grab whatever's at Trader Joe's with an interesting label...
I am surrounded by people who love wine, and I get tons of great stuff from them at Christmas. I just can't ever remember the names. Maybe it's because I'm soused. All I can tell you is that I prefer a good pinot noir to a good merlot. I know I am probably in the minority, but the merlots have always been a little too harsh for me and my plebeian tastebuds.
Jim,
This is what you need to do. First get the kids in a double cart, get them a container of their favorite fruit or something else they'll eat. This will give you a few extra minutes of sanity to make that big decision and power through all those choices. Give "Redwood Creek" a try. They make all the varieties for under $10 and the big bottles for about $ 12.
Cheers
Your CA wine source. Pasadena Bill
The Little Penguin wines from Australia don't seem to bad to me and they are usually around $9 around here in St.Louis.
my father in law is italian and taught me fairly quickly
when all is said and done i make a demi john using grape juice which holds enough to make 72 750ml wine bottles or in american i don't know 72 26 oz i think!!!!
my initial outlay was about a couple of hundred dollars (all second hand) for necessary equipment
now i buy the juice about $180 (i buy premium juice from napa valley) and $20 worth of supplies (filters and corks), so under $3 a bottle. can't go wrong
i put the wine on at our thanksgiving (canadian) so early october and i am drinking it at easter (after a couple of rackings and filtering)
i know it doesn't help you now but it is a great hobby for the future!!!!
Have you tried any Spanish Reds? I've been impressed with the ones I've tried.
They go good with burgers and things like that too. You can find a good selection at Binny's. Ask the guys in their wine department, They are very helpful. I've found one I like, Juan Gill. You can find it for around ten bucks, but usually for 12 -14 bucks.
Like sfoster, I too like the Pinot Noir as of late. I also like the hearty Reds like a cab. My taste varies. But now I'm liking Pinots. Frei Brothers, Radio Couteau...
2 buck chuck is good as well according to my taste buds! From 2 bucks to 38 bucks and beyond it all tastes good (or not) and is up to the individual drinker as to what is "good"!
But, I am more of a beer drinker myself too.
Joined: 2006-11-07
Dad Points: 364