By Ray Spaziani
Wine Talk
Ray Spaziani
Some great inexpensive wines are available to all of us during to enjoy these nicer temperatures. One of my favorite wines is Wente Chardonnay Central Coast Morning Fog 2023. At $18 it is a great value. The Wente family brought the chardonnay grape into California during the 1870s. No one thought that Chardonnay could be produced in California. They proved it could and has made some great Chads for many years. This is one of their best wines, and at this price it is a great bargain.
Bordeaux wines are always a favorite of American wine lovers. You should be aware that there are two areas where the wines are produced. The left side of the river growers more Cabernet grape and the great Bordeaux blend is more developed with Cabernet Sauvignon than the right side. The right side has much more Merlot and it grows more easily and with less expense. Since the Bordeaux blend consists of Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pitot Verdoeaux and Malbec, the left side is more heavy in Cabernet and is more expensive than the right side.
As a result, some of the great inexpensive Bordeaux include Chateau Sirin Margaux 2022 at $40 per bottle, Chateau Dalem at $29 per bottle and Chateau De La Huste 2022 at $22 per bottle. All are great and well-made wines with more Merlot than Cab.
Rhone Valley wines have some nice buys, also. Some of these include Cotes du Rhone-Villages Laundun Château de Board 2022 and 2023. Both are under $20 per bottle and have a great finish. These are made by the Brotte winery. Famille Coulon makes a Vin de France Le Petit Renard 2022 and 2023 they sell for $24 that are great entry-level wines for this region.
The state of Washington is a great region that has been getting a lot of attention for its quality and great price points. Gorman makes an Old Scratch Cabernet for $35 that is outstanding. This intense red is full of richness and great hints of blackberry, cherry and grilled herb. Chateau Saint Michelle makes a nice Riesling that sells for $20. This one is refreshing and offers some nectarine, apricot and honeysuckle. Costco has a Kirkland Signature Cabernet that is a surprise at $9. This wine has great black cherry and espresso flavors with some bittersweet chocolate on the finish. The Kirkland Signature wines are always well made, but this one is exceptional.
With spring upon us try some of these exceptional values that you may not be aware of. Try some West Coast wines as well. Merlots, Cabernets and Mourvèdres abound on the West Coast. Look for bargains. Many are well priced. It may open up a new region for you.
Ray Spaziani is the chapter director of the New Haven chapter of the American Wine Society. He is on the tasting panels of Winemaker Magazine and Amate del Vino and is a certified wine educator and award-winning home winemaker. Email Ray with your wine questions or activities at realestatepro1000@gmail.com.