Wines to Try For Value

You go to a wine shop or some other store that sells decent wines. Depending on the size, you see bottle after bottle or rack after rack or aisle after aisle of the same wines. You see California Chardonnay and Napa Cabernet and Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. And, you see some wines from the parts of France you have heard of, but depending on the price points of the store, they could be from very different parts of France. You probably see a load of Pinot Grigio from Italy as well as some Chianti and a whole bunch of Shiraz from Australia and Malbec from Argentina. And, don't forget Moscato, the 2020s answer to New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from just a few years earlier.

Some of those wines represent values, but many of them don't. While there is, in fact, just an incredible amount of demand for those wines, there is also a large supply. But, that said, there is a huge demand for wine, generally speaking. 

But, compare the prices of those wines to where they were perhaps 10 years ago. Can you spell inflation? Today, we want to find value? How do you find excellent wines at great prices simply because nobody knows to look for those wines?

So, here are a few suggestions.

You like big, bold red wines like those expensive Napa Cabernets? They'll have a somewhat different flavor profile, but the style is likely to be similar. Find some Portuguese red wines. Touriga Nacional, perhaps blended with Alicante Bouschet. This is likely to be a tannic, yet approachable young red wine. And, it's likely you can grab a bottle for less than $15 if not less than $10 that will put many $40 California Cabernets to shame. Don't get me wrong. I love a good bottle of Napa or Sonoma Cabernet, but I don't want to pay for them every day.

You like Sancerre, the wonderful Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley of France? But, you say you don't want to pay $30 or more for a bottle? Look in the aisle for Greek wines. Find some Assyrtiko. It's a highly aromatic grape with intense minerality. An outstanding pairing with shellfish, it also pairs well with virtually any white meat fish as well as raw vegetables. And, an excellent bottle should be yours for less than $15.

Suppose you're somebody who likes those difficult to pair with foods -- asparagus, brussels sprouts, or traditional southeast Asian food with lots of spice. Look no further than the German or Austrian aisles and find yourself a bottle of Gruner Veltliner. And, just look at the bonus you'll get as the odd-shaped inexpensive bottle can be yours and contain a full liter of wine rather than just 750 milliliters.

How about the Pinot Noir drinkers? I know, you don't want to spend a few hundred dollars for a great bottle of Burgundy or anywhere from $50 to $150 for your favorite Oregon or California Pinot Noir. But, you like that lighter, acidic red wine with the bright flavors that is approachable young. Does your wine shop carry Hungarian or Croatian wines? If it does, find a bottle of Portugieser. 

And, for one final wine and we'll make this for the people who fell in love with red wine very early in this century. You just love Merlot. It's soft, but has a different flavor profile and typically more mouthfeel than Pinot Noir. It goes with almost any red meat. But, you've always bought California Merlot and that bottle you used to by for $8 is now $38. Too much! Find Germany. Get yourself a bottle of Blaufrankisch. Not only will it be less expensive, you might like it better.

There are more ... many more. And, I might cover a few more in the days to come. But, this is your calling. This is your opportunity to expand your horizons and save money while really enjoying your new experience.