How about some wine recommendations/sites?

[fleshdunce]

Now I know that there is no mention of wine in the description of this forum but I can't be the only one who has started to enjoy some red wine as his go-to drink of choice. I certainly know a lotta folks my age (I'm in my mid-20s) usually look at you as though you have two-heads when you mention enjoying wine but considering folks have been drinking it for thousands of years I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

I am still relatively new to wine, only getting into it in the last year or so, but I have been trying to explore the wide variety of stuff out there since I have started. I prefer red though I will certainly try white as well.

I really love some good Cabernet Sauvignon and lately I have been trying to branch out to some of the less well known grapes. Just had some Monastrell last week which was quite delicious (and only $9 for a bottle).

Anyone have any suggestions for cheaper ($10-20) wine? Do you check any websites you frequent for suggestions/reviews? Or do you just have a favorite type that may not be amongst the most well known grapes?

I'd definitely suggest trying to Monastrell if you've not had any.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I've always preferred to get recommendations at wine shops and wineries. Spend some time looking for a good shop locally, where the owner and employees are knowledgeable and can make suggestions. Many of the good shops have regular tastings and events, which is the best way to find new wines. If you have any wineries nearby, be sure to visit their tasting rooms. Sampling their wines and talking with the staff will teach you a lot.

For an inexpensive red table wine, I've always loved Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages. About $11-$13. I picked up on this from a former neighbor who was a well-regarded French chef. He bought Louis Jadot by the case and loved it.

I'm not a huge drinker of white wine, but when I do, one of my favorites is Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc. A very nice white that goes well with poultry and seafood.

My go-to champagne (well, sparkling wine) is Piper-Sonoma. Despite the low price, it is excellent. I love that it's inexpensive enough to keep a few bottles around and not have to wait for a special occasion to open one.

 

[RichGem]

I just had a "Chateau Beauregard Ducasse Graves" (2003) -- possible spelling errors there -- which I think was fantastic. But, it'll set you back about $25/bottle. Thankfully, I wasn't the one paying.

 

[invizable]

If you are seeking a less expensive alternative to Cab's try a Malbec from Argentina. Many fantastic 90+ rated bottles can be purchased for $10 and under. This is also a very hip varietal right now which pairs easily with lots of foods, so at least you'll look like you know what you're doing!
Try some of these:
Pascual Toso Malbec
Norton Reserva

I'd also recommend you go to Amazon and buy the book Wine Trials:
http://www.amazon.com/Wine-Trials-2010-Bestselling-Inexpensive/dp/1608160076/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1281142129&sr=8-1-fkmr1
This book has all the best 2010 wines for under $15. If you are looking for bargains on reds or whites, its a great reference.

 

[mr_economy]

If you are seeking a less expensive alternative to Cab's try a Malbec from Argentina. Many fantastic 90+ rated bottles can be purchased for $10 and under. This is also a very hip varietal right now which pairs easily with lots of foods, so at least you'll look like you know what you're doing!
Try some of these:
Pascual Toso Malbec
Norton Reserva

I'd also recommend you go to Amazon and buy the book Wine Trials:
http://www.amazon.com/Wine-Trials-2010-Bestselling-Inexpensive/dp/1608160076/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1281142129&sr=8-1-fkmr1
This book has all the best 2010 wines for under $15. If you are looking for bargains on reds or whites, its a great reference.

+1 on the Malbec. I've enjoyed Malbec for a while, and recently discovered the appropriately-named Broke *** Red Wine, which is a $5 Malbec/Syrah blend that is amazingly drinkable.

Other great buys I've found in the < $20 range are the Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages previously mentioned, and a Cotes du Rhone by Perrin et Fils.

 

[jlanger]

I'd recomend Bridgeview wines to anyone looking for a good Pinot Noir or Reisling. I've ordered wines from them direct before, they often have some good deals even shipped that are cheaper then most liquor stores around here.
Every now and again they have a winemaker's special were you can actually order a few hundred gallons of the stuff! pretty cool IMO.

 

[closer]

I would recommend the Wine Library. Especially since you are in New Jersey, you should give their store a visit. They have plenty of attractively priced wines under $20, and the staff selections are quite good. As well, a pretty good selection of beers and spirits (scotch, single malt, etc).

One thing I would say is, unless you've got a really great source of recommendations for wine in the $10-12 range, stay away from those. While its possible to find good inexpensive wines, the hit rate is very low - at least, that's been my experience. Stepping up to the $20 range gives you wines that are a lot more drinkable.

 

[invizable]

I have to respectfully disagree with Closer.
Learning to discern good elements of wine in any price range is all part of the journey.
Although I love my $20-50 bottles, I also love hunting for and discovering great 'cheap' wines. Higher price does not guarantee higher quality and discovering you've bought an $8 wine you don't like is a lot easier to swallow (pun intended) than a $25 bottle you don't like.

 

[Danuhoh]

On Malbec; preferably from Mendoza in Argentina. Also try Zaca Mesa Syrah from California; great bottle of wine for about $16.

 

[closer]

Hi invizable, feel free to disagree, these are opinions, and mine is as valid/invalid as yours

Note, however, that nowhere did I say that higher price "guarantees" better quality. What I said is that in my experience, the "hit rate" with lower priced wines is low. I was also careful about my price-point recommendations, and did not mention $20-50 anywhere.

For me, there's nothing more off-putting than opening up a bottle, and finding a too dry cab that's a struggle to drink. While something like that cannot be avoided, I'd like to reduce the likelihood, and attempted to steer the OP in that direction.

 

[invizable]

Hi invizable, feel free to disagree, these are opinions, and mine is as valid/invalid as yours

Note, however, that nowhere did I say that higher price "guarantees" better quality. What I said is that in my experience, the "hit rate" with lower priced wines is low. I was also careful about my price-point recommendations, and did not mention $20-50 anywhere.

For me, there's nothing more off-putting than opening up a bottle, and finding a too dry cab that's a struggle to drink. While something like that cannot be avoided, I'd like to reduce the likelihood, and attempted to steer the OP in that direction.

Closer, there's only one way to resolve this. You bring 2 bottles of your favorite wines to Indiana and we'll do some blind tasting with my favorite 2 bottles. No matter who's right we'll have some great wine.

Cheers!

 

[closer]

Closer, there's only one way to resolve this. You bring 2 bottles of your favorite wines to Indiana and we'll do some blind tasting with my favorite 2 bottles. No matter who's right we'll have some great wine.

Cheers!

Like I said, these are opinions. Feel free to disagree with mine. Just be clear about what I actually said, not what you think I said.

I don't make it out to Indiana much, but look me up if you are in NY. I'll even pull out some scotches, then we'll really have a good time!

Back to the OP's thread now..

 

[ackvil]

Two vineyards that won't send you to the poorhouse are Sterling Vineyards and Wente.