One question keeps popping up in the wine tastings I've been hosting. When given the chance to ask a wine expert anything in their own private sessions - do you know the burning question everyone seems to be asking?
What are you favorite insider wine tips -- the best values?
What a great question!
I've just finished a streak of 9 virtual wine tastings in 10 days with about 30 wines, so let me tell you - I have been busy sampling many bottles. Some of those bottles have been true revelations to find such delicious juice at such reasonable prices.
Here are the Top 5 Deals I've found that are widely available on Wine.com:
1. Its all about Sicily - I've done a few tastings focused on Sicily because I find the values and variety exceptional. This juicy red wine from a grape called Nero d'Avola just wowed the whole group with its richness, its perfect combo for pizza and pasta and that price tag of $11.99!!
2. Cotes du Rhone is always a favorite category for value and I was so pleased to see the gold-chip producer Guigal's Cotes du Rhone Rouge (or red) is still outstanding quality for the $15 or less a bottle. For those that have been to my wine tastings, you might describe it as having ripe berry fruit with some floral and earthy spices, fresh acidity and very balanced.
3. I'm throwing you a curve ball here - $20 German rosé. Boom. How is that a great deal?
Well when it is the most refreshing, bright, succulent bottle of Pinot Noir rosé you've found, $20 is a steal and yes, this is. I bought a case last summer and another one this year and may need to replenish already...
4. If you've seen my video about wine pairing with Indian food, you'll know my feelings about Albarino from Spain. This one is an easy summer sipper that is big on fruit intensity and incredibly refreshing, so it will stand up to a hot summer day, poolside...even if that is a kiddie blow up pool. Though it is listed here for $14, I've seen it at Trader Joe's for under $10 - a total steal.
5. Stop the presses because though I hesitated to put a second Italian wine on this list, this Rosso di Montalcino is just gorgeous. A little brother to the Brunello di Montalcino, this particular wine drinks so far beyond its $25 price point. In my tastings, I often talk about how once you go to $20 or $25, the quality level of wines you can find can be truly awesome and this is a great example - so aromatic - floral, fresh plums and cherries, tobacco and just plain yummy. It needs a good hour decant or aeration to open up and soften the tannins and try it with salami!
So that's the line-up from the past 2 weeks. If you are interested in having me host a private virtual wine tasting for you and your crew, to discover your own favorites and how to understand all these wine words, you can see details here.
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