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- So why can't I find very many wines I really like that are less than mid $20 to high $30 per bottle
I am new to Snooth, so I am about to try some of the recommended wines, but.....
My wife and I taste different wines at various wines shops about once a month. I have attended about half a dozen wine and food tasting events, and four or five wine and dinner pairings. Inevitably, the wines we like are the higher priced wines (even in blind tastings).
At this point I am reluctant to spend money for a $10 to $15 per bottle wine since I almost expect to be dissapointed.
On the red front:
I used to love CA Cabarnet, but those have gotten way too expensive for the ones I find ready to drink soon after being available for purchase (for example: I love Silver Oak, but hate the price).
Currently my favorite wine is Red Burgandy (the more earthy and herby types more than the fruit forward) (thus I have not yet found an Oregan or CA Pinot that I like as much as Burgandy)
Chateauneuf du pape is a close second
The right Merlot (CA and a few from Wash state)
A few Spanish wines are nice for casual snacking with some cheese and olives
The less expensive CA Cabs and the ones I have tried from Chile haven't thrilled me.
Have only tried two Malbecs; not so hot for my wife and me
Sryah was tried twice with Smoked Ribs; was ok for me (a bit rich), not so for my wife
On the white front:
Alsatian Reisling (especially with Asian Food)
I found a white Chateauneuf I really like
White Burgandy is up there
Semilion
Some not-too oaky CA Chards
Some of the oaky CA Chards
A creamy Bubbly
A good Gewurt I like; not so my wife (too sweet)
No go on Chablis
Pinot Grig no for me; wife maybe
Wife likes Sav Blanc; for me is it ok if not too grapefruity.
Any ideas are most welcome (other than stop being a wine snob, which I don't think I am - since my search for the above wines that I like in the $15 range continues)
Good wine, good food, good friends, good cheer
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5 - Reply by preppycuisine, Aug 11.
Taste, taste, taste!
There is so much wine at this price point you're bound to find something that you love. It's just buried in an ocean of uninteresting wine.
You need to find a wine retailer that tastes widely, shares your palate, and can screen for you. I'm looking in similar price points, though somewhat different reds, as I'm in an apartment and can't store wines too long. I've got a great relationship with a retailer who tastes a ridiculous number of wines weekly and shares my preferences. He's always handing me obscure bottles around $15-20 that are comparable to $30+ wines with better press.
One problem you may have is that there aren't too many wines from value regions that conform to your preferences. Lots of great fruit forward wines from Chile and Argentina, but not too many old burgundy styled ones. French prices are coming down substantially, but Burgs are a rather notoriously expensive habit. You might be interested in burghound.com
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0390 - Reply by GregT, Aug 11.
If you want wine for under $15 there are many many wines that fit the bill. You can look at the Snooth database for suggestions. If you like Burgundy, get some cru Beaujolais and keep it for a few years. It's one of the great bargains under the sun. Also, try some wines from Bierzo in Spain. Very different, but not as fruity and sweet as those from the south of Spain. Also try Lagrein from Italy or Blaufrankish from Austria. Those all tend to be a bit lighter and can be nicely earthy. Some are available for between fifteen and twenty.
If you like Chateauneuf du Pape but don't want to spend the money, buy from Cotes du Ventoux, Luberon, or Vacqueyras. Or simply Cotes du Rhone. Many values out there. In the same way, you can find wines from Spain that are similar - garnacha based from the south regions, for example. Or crianza or joven wines from Ribera del Duero or Rioja.
California resists putting out much in that price range for some reason when it comes to cabs, but there are some zins out there that are pretty good for the money.
And barbera from Italy.
Whites are much easier to find in that range so I won't recommend any.
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- Reply by Phillyflash, Aug 11.
Thanks for the info. I'll be trying some of your suggestions in the near future, and I'll let you know my experiences.
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- Reply by Phillyflash, Aug 11.
Thanks for the comments. I guess taste, taste, and then taste some more is my best bet. I am aware, to a degree, that my current wine preferences are for those wines where finding finding value buys is more difficult - thus my starting anew to try a wider range of wines, perhaps to discover/uncover some taste buds that heretofore have been under-utlized - kind of like what happened a few years ago when CA Cabs become way too expensive so I went back to trying Pinot and Burgundy and discovered new taste sensations (well, perhaps not 'sensations'). At the time Burgundy reds were more reasonably priced.
