Ok. First, congratulations on your new venture. I am confident that you will do well. So, I live in western North Carolina. I enjoy red wines, but do not have the pallet that makes the purchase of upscale wines reasonable. Are there wines under $25 that are worth your recommendation?
Yes, there are plenty! I think in NC you have ABC stores but wine is also available in grocery and convenience stores, correct? If you have some international selection available, you can often find the best quality and value in wines from Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Depending on your taste, you might try:
- Langhe Nebbiolo from northern Italy if you like fresh, somewhat tart, tannic wines;
- Aglianico or Primitivo from southern Italy if you prefer less tartness and tannin and more cooked fruit/jammy flavors;
- Tempranillo (usually labeled as Rioja or Ribera del Duero) from Spain if you're a fan of the oaky notes of American Cabernet;
- Garnacha (often labeled as Priorat) from Spain for more intensely fruit-forward wines;
- Portuguese reds are mostly blends of their indigenous grapes, and are generally balanced, food-friendly wines. I don't think I've ever tried one that wasn't at least passable, and most are better than that - and they are usually very inexpensive!
- If you like Malbec, they are usually quite easy to find in the US and reasonably priced. I like Zuccardi, Catena, and La Posta.
All that said, I know that in some areas, you may be limited to typical American "grocery store brands." For value and quality in that category, I look for reds from Hahn (their red blend and Pinot Noir are very good), anything from Parducci, old vine Zinfandels from Bogle or Cline, Cloudline Pinot Noir, or anything from Charles Smith. Cabernet under $25 can be tricky because Napa has blown up the prices, but there are some very good ones from Washington State, Sonoma, and Paso Robles. I think the Sonoma and Alexander Valley Cabernets from Sebastiani and the Sonoma Cab from Louis Martini are reliably good. Justin usually runs a bit over $25 but is also very good.
I hope that helps, but just let me know if you have other questions or need clarification!
Lovely writing about a tumultuous year for you. Wishing you all the best. I know that you will thrive. I think that it is significant that you chose to grow with the vine.
Ok. First, congratulations on your new venture. I am confident that you will do well. So, I live in western North Carolina. I enjoy red wines, but do not have the pallet that makes the purchase of upscale wines reasonable. Are there wines under $25 that are worth your recommendation?
Yes, there are plenty! I think in NC you have ABC stores but wine is also available in grocery and convenience stores, correct? If you have some international selection available, you can often find the best quality and value in wines from Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Depending on your taste, you might try:
- Langhe Nebbiolo from northern Italy if you like fresh, somewhat tart, tannic wines;
- Aglianico or Primitivo from southern Italy if you prefer less tartness and tannin and more cooked fruit/jammy flavors;
- Tempranillo (usually labeled as Rioja or Ribera del Duero) from Spain if you're a fan of the oaky notes of American Cabernet;
- Garnacha (often labeled as Priorat) from Spain for more intensely fruit-forward wines;
- Portuguese reds are mostly blends of their indigenous grapes, and are generally balanced, food-friendly wines. I don't think I've ever tried one that wasn't at least passable, and most are better than that - and they are usually very inexpensive!
- If you like Malbec, they are usually quite easy to find in the US and reasonably priced. I like Zuccardi, Catena, and La Posta.
All that said, I know that in some areas, you may be limited to typical American "grocery store brands." For value and quality in that category, I look for reds from Hahn (their red blend and Pinot Noir are very good), anything from Parducci, old vine Zinfandels from Bogle or Cline, Cloudline Pinot Noir, or anything from Charles Smith. Cabernet under $25 can be tricky because Napa has blown up the prices, but there are some very good ones from Washington State, Sonoma, and Paso Robles. I think the Sonoma and Alexander Valley Cabernets from Sebastiani and the Sonoma Cab from Louis Martini are reliably good. Justin usually runs a bit over $25 but is also very good.
I hope that helps, but just let me know if you have other questions or need clarification!
Stacey, I have a few questions about wine. Should I post them here or via email? Thanks.
You're welcome to email me at stacey@justasmidge.me, but if they are questions that might be interesting to others, feel free to ask them here!
Lovely writing about a tumultuous year for you. Wishing you all the best. I know that you will thrive. I think that it is significant that you chose to grow with the vine.