January 30, 2010 8:08 pm

Bargain Bottles: Impressive and Inexpensive

Money is tight for everyone following the holiday season. This can be a particularly difficult time for fellow foodies, who find it hard to resist the lure of gourmet food and wine. Good food is probably the thing I am most likely to spend extra money on, but wine is another story. Not that fine wine isn't worth the extra money, but I don't think anyone should have to have to blow their weekly budget on fancy bottle of vino— or worse, go without wine because they can't afford it.

Trying new wines is one of my favorite things to do, and although I'm certainly no sommelier, I've attended many-a-wine-tasting throughout my years of restaurant work and would like to think that by now I've developed a somewhat discerning palate. After some poking around in my local wine shop, a little price comparing, and a lot of tasting; I've found several wines that I believe to be equal (or even better) to their expensive counterparts. Here are my top picks for red, white, and sparkling wines for $10 or under:

1. M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône (2007): A deep garnet color, this 89-point Parker rated wine is full bodied, but by no means overpowering or overly tannic. A blend of 50% syrah and 50% Grenache, this wine has a beautiful complex flavor—slightly spicy from the Syrah, but still bursting with flavors of black cherry, raspberry, and plums from the Grenache. The fruity flavors are balanced with just a touch of earthy taste (in a good way) and the wine has a long, smooth finish. The combination of these grapes gives the wine a structure that would hold up well to red meats and cheeses, but it also pairs well with chocolate. If you can't afford a bottle of notoriously expensive (but nonetheless delicious) Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this is a very similar wine to go for. I buy this wine at my local wine shop for $7.99, which is an absolute STEAL. Hunt around for this at your local wine/liquor shops, I promise it will be worth it.

2. Castle Rock Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc (2007): This is a perfect summer day sipping wine. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc has a nose of tropical fruits (pineapple, guava, melon) while on the palette it strikes the perfect balance of fruity flavor and acidity. With a pale yellow color in the glass, the flavor of this wine brings to mind all things green: limes, green apples, grass (again, in a good way) with a slight minerality on the finish. Personally, I'm not a fan of oaky wines, so I'm naturally drawn to unoaked wines like the Sauvignon Blancs that keep the flavor fresh and crisp. This wine makes a perfect kir, but also pairs nicely on its own with seafood, poultry, and goat cheese. It's the perfect substitute for the often pricey Sancerres—I've found this wine for $9.99, and it is worth every penny.

3. Marquis de la Tour Brut (NV): I absolutely love Champagne and I will find any excuse to drink it ("I finally figured out how to use Photoshop, let's pop that bottle!!"). Unfortunately, Champagne (which can only be referred to as such unless it is grown and produced within the Champagne region of France...but that's a whole other blog post), is way out of my price range most of the time. But this sparkling wine is a close second and has a much more reasonable price tag. 50% Chenin Blanc, 25% Sauvignon Blanc, and 25% Chardonnay, this wine has a nice complexity and layering of flavors. With notes of crisp green apple and yeast, the wine has a creamy texture and very tight beads that make for a nice fizz. The aroma reminds me of freshly baked bread with a little hint of apricot, while the finish is dry and leaves a refreshing tartness in the mouth. Excellent on its own, this wine is also perfect for making Kir Royals, Bellinis or Mimosas. At $10.99 a pop (no pun intended), this is quite a bargain.

And there you have it, my top recommendations for boozing on a budget! Look for these selections in your local wine shops, or buy them online through Snooth.

— Written by Lisa Curry

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