Looking for a good & inexpensive wine

steve-in-kville

steve-in-kville

Joined
Dec 25, 2001
Messages
1,139
I'm a bourbon drinker... straight, mixed, on the rocks, whatever... I drink a lot of whiskey. Also enjoy the occasional rum-n-coke, too.

Co-worker tells me I need to expand my tastes to wine (He's a hardcore wine drinker). I know nothing about wine. He tells me a good red wine will help me wind down at the end of the day just as good as the fine liquors will.

I also want something that is value priced. The wines my co-worker suggests are a little out of my price range.

Any suggestions? I know nuthin' about wine so tell me if it should be consumed at room temp or chilled.

Thanks!!

Steve
 
steve-in-kville said:
I'm a bourbon drinker... straight, mixed, on the rocks, whatever... I drink a lot of whiskey. Also enjoy the occasional rum-n-coke, too.

Co-worker tells me I need to expand my tastes to wine (He's a hardcore wine drinker). I know nothing about wine. He tells me a good red wine will help me wind down at the end of the day just as good as the fine liquors will.

I also want something that is value priced. The wines my co-worker suggests are a little out of my price range.

Any suggestions? I know nuthin' about wine so tell me if it should be consumed at room temp or chilled.

Thanks!!

Steve
Click to expand...

since you're on the other side of the planet it's a little hard for me to make recommendations but you best bet is to have a look throught the magazines and find any wine related ones. The good ones will usually have suggestions and tips and what to look for and that sort of thing. Wines are a little like knives in a way. Much depends on personal preferences. There are good makers and bad makers. You can get good ones at both high and low prices and you can get bad ones at high and low prices. Cost is not always an indications of value.

Look through the wines available in your area, if you see any Australian ones buy a red and a white, particularly a Shiraz or a Chardonnay. We make some of the best wine on the planet and it's often reasonably priced, (over here anyway). For instance, I can get a bottle of very reasonable Shiraz or other reds for $20.
 
If the "good" part of "good and inexpensive" is not a deal-breaker, then click this link to find a veritable treasure trove of fine inexpensive wines that really get the job done! :cool:

bot_5_n.jpg
 
I second Gajinoz - try a few different types and get to know what you like - the the difference between the main varieties - Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot etc etc. Don't necessarily take the word of wne buffs with 'refined palets' because that can be a bit like asking the guy who mixes the sound every night at a rock concert how loud it should be - their tastes get quite extreme.

I've tasted Grange Hermitage (probably the most expensive wine in Oz) and to me it tasted no better than a $20 bottle of Nottage Hill.

Also get some nice cheeses, some Brie and Fetta - the right wine and cheese together can be a taste explosion.
 
steve-in-kville said:
I'm a bourbon drinker... straight, mixed, on the rocks, whatever... I drink a lot of whiskey. Also enjoy the occasional rum-n-coke, too.

Co-worker tells me I need to expand my tastes to wine (He's a hardcore wine drinker). I know nothing about wine. He tells me a good red wine will help me wind down at the end of the day just as good as the fine liquors will.

I also want something that is value priced. The wines my co-worker suggests are a little out of my price range.

Any suggestions? I know nuthin' about wine so tell me if it should be consumed at room temp or chilled.

Thanks!!

Steve
Click to expand...


What's the word?

Thunderbird!

What's that action?

Satisfaction!

What's the price?

Fifty twice!
 
The very best bargain I've found in a red wine is Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel (around $12.00 in the local grocery store).

I like most red wines except Cabernets--just too much wood.

Cheers,
Allen.
 
allenC said:
The very best bargain I've found in a red wine is Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel (around $12.00 in the local grocery store).

I like most red wines except Cabernets--just too much wood.

Cheers,
Allen.
Click to expand...

See if you can get yourself a Shiraz, (Shiraz is sort of an Oz "specialty"), or maybe a Shiraz/Merlot. I think you'd like it. Failing that we have some really nice Pinot Noir from a few different makers that make an excellent drop for washing down whatever you're cooking up on the BBQ.
 
IMO, going from Bourbon to wine will be a bit of an anti-climax. Atleast it's always been that way for me.
 
Emanuel said:
IMO, going from Bourbon to wine will be a bit of an anti-climax. Atleast it's always been that way for me.
Click to expand...

Especially in the same night :barf:
 
What the hell is a Shiraz ?

Do you mean a Syrah ?

Look for Chardonnay's from the Columbia River Valley. Columbia Crest is my favorite brand, and the winery is very close to home. Chateau St. Michele is the sister winery; also very good.

Good pricees, and great wine.
 
Hey Ilovetoolsteel I must be older than you!
What's the word? Thunderbird!
What's the price? 33 cents twice!

Hey TorzJohnson you have excellent taste in an ass kicking wine. I remeber drinking that on Thursdays Squadbay cleanups when I was in the Marine Corp!You drink the bottle and your wasted. I believe that it was grapefruit wine that had been charcoal filtered. Ah the day of our youth :eek:
 
My girl friends parents make thier own wine and its fairly good (but im more of a beer and spirits drinker so what do I know) For them, I think it comes out to $2 a bottle. Im pretty sure you wont be running out to get a wine making kit but if one of your wine friends makes thier own wine ask them if you can buy a bottle off them for cheap.
 
steve-in-kville said:
I also want something that is value priced. The wines my co-worker suggests are a little out of my price range.

Any suggestions? I know nuthin' about wine so tell me if it should be consumed at room temp or chilled.

Thanks!!

Steve
Click to expand...

All depends on your palette and wallet. Generally speaking most people like chardonay for white and merlot for red. There are many others out there however. Me personally, I like Pinot Noir, Shiraz, and Zinfandel for reds and Sauvignon Blanc for white. For most of us there is no need to spend more than $20 a bottle. I used to work in a wine shop and the difference between $20 and $150 is minimal in most cases. This is because wine production is higher than ever with thousands of makers out there. Since availability varies from region to region, I suggest you go to the best store in your area and buy several wines that cost between $10 and $15 and see what you like. Go back to the store and tell them what worked and didn't and why. A knowledgable semollier will be able to hook you up.
 
We buy inexpensive wines from Australia - Rosemont Estates is one brand. They have a Shiraz, a Shiraz/Cabernet blend, and other very good red wines. Under $10 at Sam's Club.

Do you have any local wineries in Pennsylvania? Wineries normally have tours and a tasting room. You can sample dozens of wines to decide what you prefer. Some people don't like dry, some don't like sweet, some don't like white, some don't like red... You just won't know until you try the stuff.

Happy sipping,
Bob
 
I'll agree with the gentlemen from Oz. Try an Australian Shiraz. There are plenty to choose from in the $10 range and they are very drinkable.

Jack
 
Beringer is a well known label, go with a White Zinfindel to start. Not too tart so it should be a good starting point. If you find it too sweet then you can move to a Merlot or a Reisling.
 
I drink red wine every day, mostly Spanish and Chilean about $3 to $4 US a bottle, so I spend about a dollar a day on wine, yes I have tried expensive wines, I can appreciate a good Chateauneuf du Pape or Ribera del Duero, but a simple Spanish Tempranillo or Chilean Cabernet are fine for everyday and you'd be surprised how good some of these can be (or maybe I just have cheap taste...).

Luis
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top