Exploring the world for wine values
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People buy wine like they buy other products, sticking to brands and names they know.
Others stick to wine varieties, always ordering a merlot or chardonnay.
People create their own rules to make sense of the wine market. But like ordering chicken Parmesan every time you eat out, it limits your experience and appreciation of everything else.
There are wine regions and countries to explore. But randomly picking up bottles under $8 can be hit or miss. Fortunately, the world has plenty of places that reliably produce very good wines under $15. On your next retail wine adventure, you can check into some of these value-oriented regions. All are available in Pennsylvania.
Argentina malbec
Loaded with flavor and not too complicated, Argentine malbecs offer some of the best red wine values out there. Gaffingna Centenario 2006 Mablec Reserve hits chocolate, violet, plum and coffee notes with round smooth flavors and mouth-watering acids. $12. HHH 1/2
Argentina makes other types of wine, notably, the grapey white torrontes.
Australian reds
Australia created the market for guzzleable jammy red wines. It's hard not to like them. Part of me wishes Jacob's Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was an aftershave. Big powerful nose loaded with ripe black cherry, forest and peppermint oil and manly spices. The wine is light bodied with a bit of nettle finish. It doesn't exactly follow through or deliver balance, but it packs loads of character for an inexpensive wine. $9. HHH
California
Between the most coveted wines in the world and the most common of jug wine are plenty of values from the Golden State. Geyser Peak consistently makes one of the most likable sauvignon blancs and the 2007 California Sauvignon Blanc is an example. The characteristic pungent, piney smells are offset by a ripe fruit character of kiwi with the squirt of lemon. $13. HHHH
These days you can find deals from the nation's most prestigious region, Napa Valley. Hayman & Hill wines are a perfect instance. Hayman & Hill 2006 Napa Valley Merlot has smells of blueberry skins, eucalyptus with slight caramel edge. Flavors offer more of the same with a crème de menthe finish and a pleasant tang. $13. HHHH
Chianti / Toscana
One of the safest bets in Italian wines may be the sangiovese-based wines of the western Italy. I consistently find mouth watering Chiantis and Toscanas for $10 to $12. Centine 2007 is reliable, straightforward bet made with the traditional sangiovese grape, but beefed up with cabernet sauvignon and merlot. The wine smells of cherry pits and taste like fresh berries with a clean finish. $10. HHH 1/2
GRADE: Exceptional HHHHH, Above average HHHH, Good HHH, Below average HH, Poor H.
DAVID FALCHEK, a Times-Tribune business writer, reviews wines each week. Contact him at dfalchek@ timesshamrock.com.
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