Contributed by: Joe Roberts
It's getting tougher to come by affordable California wines that are made from all-estate by family-operated wineries. Balletto is one such family-operated outfit that's bucking that trend, offering this hand-picked Chardonnay farmed across their 16 estate estate vineyards in Sonoma's Russian River Valley. Pear, lemon, peach and apricot mix with baking spices and white flower aromas for a white that feels round, generous, and focused all at once.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
There's a lot more to Prosecco than the near-ubiquitous sparklers that dominate the Italy section in the world's wine aisles. Valdobbiadene Prosecco, grown in the almost impossibly steep slopes of a small section of the Veneto region, can often be a cut above, marrying Prosecco's floral, pear-tinged fruitiness with a deeper sense of elegance and refinement. Ciodet's 'Labano' Brut manages just that, and is a great way to upscale your mid-week libations.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Spain's Priorat region has a reputation for delivering huge, bombastic Garnacha-based reds that often carry huge, bombastic price-tags. WHich makes Perinet's 'Merit' Priorat red such a nice find. It does, of course, deliver full-bodied power and big, bold, juicy red and blue fruit flavors (along with violet aromas), but it somehow manages to pack all of that hedonistic pleasure into an SRP that won't break the bank.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Known for their somewhat powerful reds, Rodney Strong delivers a bit of a surprise with their Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc. This white is zesty and refreshing, with Meyer lemon and melon flavors. The real bonus here (especially considering the reasonable price) is in its complex, buoyant nose, which is rich in citrus, herb, lemongrass, and floral notes.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Experience Cabernet offers, well, a tried-and-true Napa Valley Cabernet experience: lush black fruits, intense and mouth-filling texture, ample power and oak spice notes, and an overall feeling of lush luxury. That interesting thing is that Experience manages to do all of that without charging $50-$75 for it. This is one of those times when you don't have to worry that a wine with Napa Valley on the label is being offered for under $30 on the store shelf - if you enjoy Napa reds, you'll want to make this one part of your everyday drinking stash.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Almost no Cabernet Sauvignon-based red wine offers as much bang for the buck as South Africa's Grand Classique from producer Glen Carlou. After years of tasting several vintages of this true classic, I have learned to buy two bottles of every release: one for now, and one to hold on to for later enjoyment. Even after a decade of bottle aging, a well-cellared Grand Clasique will still offer an lovely, perfumed drinking experience full of spice notes and tangy red fruit flavors - what more could one ask from a wine that regularly can be found for under $20/bottle?
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Alicante Bouschet can be a bit wily, and sometimes can feel almost "hollow" in the middle of the palate (after an onslaught of fruit and violets to start, and a big hit of power, grip and finish at the end). Portugal's Rocim always manages to tame this red wine beast, offering a ripe, fruity, and floral Alicante that is rich, textural, and complete - and all coming at a price that should tempt red wine lovers to buy an entire case.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Roero Arneis is too frequently overlooked by white wine lovers, which is a shame - because these northwestern Italian sippers offer a wonderful mix of the familiar and the exotic. In the case of the Monchiero Carbone Cecu d'la Biunda, the famailar comes by way of white peach, apple, and citrus flavors. The exotic? Hints of tropical fruits, saline, toasted nuts, and wet slate. This is a white that will offer a lot to contemplate, while also being simply delicious and refreshing.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Most famous for their exclusive Pera Manca red, Cartuxa's other Alentejo wines are more accessible and a lot more affordable, and benefit from the same winemaking experience that produces their much more expensive cousin. The Cartuxa Evora Colheita Tinto is a juicy red blend that shows what this warm region of Portugal is all about — namely, fruitiness, spiciness, and power. Its tannins are noticeable but supple, making for an excellent red to sip on its own, or to pair with grilled steak.
Contributed by: Joe Roberts
Some wines are basically impossible to hate. Vietti Cascinetta's Moscato d'Asti is one of those wines. Equal parts accessible and elegant, this Moscato balances the line between subtle sweetness and refreshing acidity almost perfectly. Its grape, citrus, and tropical flavors are delicious, and its floral, perfumed nose manages to be explosive without being overbearing. This one's for Moscato lovers who are ready to take a step up above the norm.
