50 Wines You Can Always Trust

[GoldenIP]

You can aaaaaaaaaaaaalways rely on Pinot Grigio (Italian) in a restaurant. Always my go-to and never disappoints.

[Banks2334]

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You can aaaaaaaaaaaaalways rely on Pinot Grigio (Italian) in a restaurant. Always my go-to and never disappoints.

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You must not expect a lot out of your wine.

[GoldenIP]

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You can aaaaaaaaaaaaalways rely on Pinot Grigio (Italian) in a restaurant. Always my go-to and never disappoints.

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You must not expect a lot out of your wine.

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My father used to trade wine with Sotherby's and he was the one who got me into Pinot Grigio. He says you rarely can go wrong with it. After drinking it for a few years in dozens of restaurants, for value, I have to agree.

I take his word for it given he's had about 45-50 years experience with wine as well as being in the industry periodically.

[MrTrik]

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There are definitely some good values here, but the omission of vintages is staggering.

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Almost all of the wines on this great list are in the $50 and under range. Except for an occasional bad year for some of these, the vintage is irrelevant.

There are bad years for inexpensive wines though. A couple of years ago most inexpensive Pinot's sucked. Some Blancs have had bad years. It typically is not winery specific when this happens, it's mostly across the board, especially when talking California product.

[gilper]

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France

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côtes-du-Rhône Parallèle "45" ($12)
E. Guigal Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge ($12)
Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages ($13)

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Confirmed

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M. Chapoutier Côtes-du-Rhône Belleruche Rouge ($11)

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I'll have to give this one a try.

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French Luxury Values

Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($95)


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Wow, of all the fantastic CdP they pick a $95 Beaucastel. For those looking to try some more economical CdP I would recommend Beaurenard, Vieux Donjon, Vieux Telegraph, or Chateau la Nerthe. You should be able to pick up a 2000 or 2001 for 30-45$. 1998 is even better but will run a little higher. Avoid 2002.

[Hoi Polloi]

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Chateau la Nerthe...1998 is even better...

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I grabbed a case of the '98 Cv des Cadettes when I visited the Chateau in 2001. I'll probably open the first one next fall.

[Banks2334]

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United States

Beringer Founder’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($11)
La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($18)
Blackstone Winery California Merlot ($12)
Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel ($11)
Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Merlot ($16)
Clos Du Bois Sonoma County Pinot Noir ($20)
Geyser Peak California Sauvignon Blanc ($12)
Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon ($12)

Rancho Zabaco Heritage Vines Zinfandel ($17)



Australia & New Zealand

Yalumba Barossa Shiraz Viognier ($16)
Jacob’s Creek Shiraz ($8)
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Cabernet Sauvignon ($12)
Rosemount Estate Diamond Label Shiraz ($10)



Chile & Argentina

Bodega Norton Reserva Malbec ($15)


France


E. Guigal Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge ($12)
Hugel et Fils Gentil ($12)
Louis Latour St-Véran les Deux Moulins ($15)



Italy


Antinori Santa Cristina
Frescobaldi Castiglioni Chianti ($13)



Spain
Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza ($13)
Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva ($19)
Osborne Solaz Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon ($9)





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I have tried these and have generally found them to be quite drinkable and a good value. Currently enjoying a Penfolds Cabernet/Shiraz blend. Mmmm.

[MrWookie]

This is exactly the kind of wine list that your average Joe needs. Great post.

[MrMon]

Okay, here are a few reviews from the list:

Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel ($11)

Found this at TJs for just about the price listed. Good wine for the price. Not the biggest and chewiest Zin I've ever had, but for $11, it certainly stands up.

Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel ($15)

I simply can't find the Lodi Ravenswood, but the Sonoma is about the same price and stands up well. Again, a good value. (All the Ravenswood Zins seem to be good, but I'll admit not to having tried the $28 one yet. Probably good, but good value?)

How do the Bogle and Ravenswood compare? I think the Bogle is a bit thinner in appearance, but not necessarily in taste. They do taste differently though, and would be interesting for someone doing a wine tasting to put side-by-side. Bogle may be a better buy at $11, the Ravenswood Sonoma is probably a better wine, but just slightly. Available at TJs.

Jacob’s Creek Shiraz ($8)

My local ripoff grocery is running this on "sale" at $10, but even at that price, it's good. WS rates it a 91, I find that a little high, it's more like a 89-90. Here's where it differs from more expensive Shiraz - it's not complex. This is a great wine to see that if you have a more complex Shiraz to compare it against. This wine starts out big and bold, but that's it. It's kind of one note, but that one note is very good, what the basis of a good shiraz should be. It's just that it doesn't go anywhere. But for $8-10, it does what it does very well. Should be widely available.

[OrigamiSensei]

I'd like to add a couple.

Baumard Savennières - Every so often I find this at Costco for about $15. It compares favorably to many $30-50 whites I have had the opportunity to drink. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but for those who appreciate fine, complex white wine with character I heartily recommend it.

Roederer Estate NV Brut and Gruet NV Brut - I don't think there were any American sparklers on the list and I find these both to be very solid values for under $20.

I also noticed that there weren't any German Rieslings on the list. Now I don't have specific labels to give you and I know that the names can be really confusing but look for wines in the $15-22 range that say "Kabinett". I don't have the wherewithal to explain why to look for this but trust me that you'll generally be getting the right level of quality for the right price and occasionally some very nice surprises. Actually I just thought of a couple - "Dr. L." by Dr. Loosen is a very solid choice, as are their other wines. Also Leitz "Dragonstone". Reinhold Haart is another solid producer - look for their Piesporter Goldtropfchen. German Rieslings are very low in alcohol, generally 8 or 9 percent and make for fine summer drinking.

Also for refreshing summer drinking look for French rosés and Muscadets in the $10 price range.