Caution: may cause headache…this is a dangerous job but someone has to drink it.

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 Trader Joe’s Blanc de Blancs Brut FR $4.49
Bubbly is fun. It’s celebratory. So $4.49 for a party in a bottle is hard to resist, but be careful what you pay for later. The bouquet is floral – one guest said like a stargazer lily. The first sip is crisp like a pear and finishes with a sweet mustard, it’s not that harsh but it may not be for you. The description on the label says “…delicate, fruity character and refined, lasting flavor.” That lasting flavor may taste like _________ you fill in the blank (one taster mentioned urine another mustard gas. I am not one to ask how either of them know these flavors, I merely conduct the research.) Final verdict: in a pinch for a less than special occasion, it’ll do. Those who are particular about their sparklings will find it barely drinkable on its own, but those who need to grab a quick bubbly for a brunch can confidently do so as long as they make belinis and mimosas. As the picture recommends, it is served best as ice-cubes with aspirin on hand.
Stay curious!
loie

Guests Request! Rare Red Grape 4 Blend, Lodi CA $7.99

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Available at Sonoma Market

I had a discerning group of tasters this time – all squeamish when I mentioned I wrote a cheap wine blog and would they like to try a wine under $10 – in fact it was only $7.99 and it was from Lodi. This was a group of acquaintances in the Sonoma Square at the Tuesday night farmer’s market picnicking around elaborate cheeseboards and much better wines, or so they thought…{ insert sinister Frenchman laugh here – heh, heh, heh.}

Bouquet was young, fresh with hit of berry and dried cherry. First sip, surprisingly smooth, full bodied, pleasantly earthy and bursting with a nice grapey, ripe red strawberry jaminess you want in a lovely everyday red. I must make a second mention to the smoothness, impressive for the prix.

One guest commented that I had made an “excellent selection” and that this was the perfect everyday red. I failed to mention that I select these wines with the precision of Russian Roulette, but accepted the complement with humility. This is a mindblowingly good wine – Caseworthy!

Stay curious,

loie

Battle of the Sparklings! Blanc de Blancs $4.49 vs. Lambrusco $4.99 and the winner is…..

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Both wines are available at Trader Joe’s 

Sparkling Manischewitz? Fizzy Communion Wine? Delish! Le Grotte Reggiano Lambrusco Dolce, $4.99
You will adore this Itallian sparkling red. Bouquet is heavy grape with touch or rose – someone mentioned a mash-up of red and purple Skittles. First sip is yummy, bold, surprisingly refreshing. The people around the table were expressing that this is the perfect appertivo with an antipasti or before a steak and of course pasta. This wine is more of a frizzante (less bubbles than what you would expect from a sparkling wine or traditional champagne) it could also be a lovely dessert wine, but do not get the impression that it is cloyingly sweet because it is delightfully light. Guestworthy – buy again!
Caution: may cause headache. Trader Joe’s Blanc de Blancs Brut FR $4.49
Bouquet acidic floral – one guest said like a stargazer lilly – then the first sip is crisp like a pear and finishes with a sweet mustard, it’s not that harsh but it may not be for you. The description on the label says “…delicate, fruity character and refined, lasting flavor.” That lasting flavor may taste like _________ you fill in the blank (one taster mentioned urine another mustard gas. I am not one to ask how either of them know these flavors, I merely conduct the research.) Overall, in a pinch for a less than special occasion, it’ll do for those who could care less about sparkling, but I would say it’s barely drinkable. 
LAMBRUSCO beats TJ Blanc de Blanc Brut with out a doubt. 
Stay curious,
loie

Oh-LaLa Ma Mère! A Big Bang for the Buck for the Bubbles. Charles De Marques Brut, FR $19.99

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CharlesDeMarques
Available at Trader Joe’s
This is quite possibly the least expensive good Champagne available in the US. It’s a brut that is light dry and very smooth. Description mentions brioche and ripe fruit – I believe that is wine code for saying it has a hint of fruit and a pleasant level of cave aged yeast. There is no sharp acid or cloying chemical, yeasty finish. This wine holds its own against much more expensive Champagnes. I love this wine because it epitomizes the French method beautifully at the right price and with a delight that makes any occasion special. The bubbles are a bit larger than some finer quality sparkling wines and the mousse (the foamy experience in the mouth after sipping) is nearly non existent, but I prefer it over a Prosecco and other sparklings that taste like fizzy sugary fou fou. It’s a sure thing!
Stay curious,
loie

A peach for the beach! Beringer 2012 Pinot Grigio $4.99 – rated buy again

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Bouquet is definitely peachy and floral. First taste is bright, refreshing, with nectarine and citrus – description mentions a hint of a mineral finish – I did not pick it up. Perfect for a summer picnic on the beach – a classic Pinot Grigio best served very chilled. This wine can hold its own against bottles that cost 2-3x as much. A little more sugary than what I prefer – but I’ll rate this a buy again and although perfectly fine alone, I’m having premonitions of a punch bowl. I can see a beautiful white Sangria coming together with a few orange, lemon and nectarine slices – add a few cups of gin, a bottle of sparkling white wine, plenty of ice cubes, garnish with kumquat* (see technique below,) sprig of mint from the garden and a number for a taxi- muy bien!

Stay curious,
loie

 

*Isn’t this a cute garnish idea for cherry tomatoes and kumquats – float it on a Sangria.

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Mind blowing good! O.V.O.C. 2012 Regio Zinfandel, CA $8.99

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O.V.O.C. 2012 Regio Zinfandel, CA

Well, get a load of Lodi – this O.V.O.C. Zin is unbelievably priced at $8.99 (up to $11 in some regions) and it is fabulous. I would have no problem serving this to the most discerning guest.

Beep, beep, beep, I’m backing up to the loading dock and getting a case – this is a wine that is great right now, right here but would age well too. Although I believe the silver medals they won were due to the “Lodi” demarcation, but I’m giving a gold as this Zin is better than you would expect for the price. The winery is still family owned and run by siblings Anthony, Natalie & Paul. Regio is the Italian word for Royal. OVOC stands for Old Vine, Old Clone. Zinfandel enthusiasts covet old vine Zinfandels. They are royalty in the family of wines from the Zinfandel grape. Check out the family story at this link – http://www.scottocellars.com/scotto-family/ – it’s adorable and it’s still owned and managed by the second generation of Scottos.

This fragrant, medium bodied vintage is filled with flavors and aromas of fresh blackberries, currants and raspberries, with tannins that are firm but not distracting. Bottom line, yummy and case-worthy!

 

Stay curious,

loie

2012 Grand Cru Vineyards, SauvBlanc $3.99 – I suggest you buy yourself a latte instead.

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2012 Grand Cru Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc CA $3.99

Bouquet does not offer much. Citrus with nectarine and one guest commented there was an earthy vegetal fern. First sip is sugary not too sweet with a grape leafy finish. However, not much more to talk about. Not much to like, really.
My suggestion, buy yourself a latte and leave this on the shelf. It’s drinkable, barely, but I wouldn’t even use this for cooking. Ouch!
Stay curious,
loie

 

Wine Fear Factor Friday! Chocolate Shop, Chocolate Lover’s Wine $8.99

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Chocolate Shop – No Vintage Chocolate Lover’s Wine
Caldwell, Idaho
Ok, this is my first edition of “Cheap Wine Fear Factor.” I welcome those brave enough to take a taste of the scariest of wine offerings. Don’t be shy. These wines end up on the shelf for some reason, and someone somewhere must buy them, either regretfully, with a palate disability or verging on being institutionalized. Let’s do the world a favor and protect the innocent from imbibing in wines that can hurt. We are tough enough, smart enough and crazy enough to save the world from drinking bad wine. Are you with me? Ok, I may be the Mother Teresa of cheap wine, but let’s help the lepers and start tasting. Hail to the spit bucket!
The Bouquet is undeniably chocolate, overwhelmingly so. I’m white knuckling it with my friends, one being a well regarded Sonoma chef. When he saw this walk thru his front door, I saw his face freeze and before I could explain myself, I feared being black listed from the cullinary inside for life. After an ample preamble, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah – I had some reluctant but good humored recruits for the tasting.
First taste was a surprise – red wine forward with a huge chocolate finish. One guest expressed that it was deceiving as you expect it to be brown and syrupy but it’s actually a solid red wine first with a weirdly sweet chocolate aftertaste – ewwwww! Looking at the color, it looks like a Cab with an outer ring of brown. If paired, the sweetness needs a good savory counter – like a pretzel – so says the chef, but his kindness in that comment was countered with “in a cold day in hell” from the other guests. Overall, blech. Just have a nice red with a piece of dark chocolate and save your $8.99. Sorry – we tried it. By the way Chicolate Shop – no ingredients listed – how’d you do it????
Stay brave, stay curious,
loie

WINE FEAR FACTOR FRIDAY!

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Be afraid, very afraid…
I welcome those brave enough to take a taste of the scariest of wine offerings. Don’t be shy. These wines end up on the shelf for some reason, and someone somewhere must buy them, either regretfully, with a palate disability or verging on being institutionalized. Let’s do the world a favor and protect the innocent from imbibing in wines that can hurt. We are tough enough, smart enough and crazy enough to save the world from drinking bad wine. Are you with me? Ok, I may be the Mother Teresa of cheap wine, but let’s help the lepers and start tasting.
Hail to the spit bucket!
loie