"CheapWine" news and stories

Sean Minor Cabernet Sauvignon. Photo: Sean Minor Wines

Gretchen Roberts writes the wine blog Vinobite, has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

Throw out the phrase "Value Cabs" at a gathering of winos and you won't hear "Napa Valley," but you will hear "Chile."

To be honest, besides the excellent Root:1 Cabernet Sauvignon, I find most of the Chilean offerings at the $10 to $20 price point are too vegetal, tasting more of green peppers than ripe fruit. Luckily, plenty of other regions are making delicious, inexpensive Cabs that deliver with deep black fruit, hints of spice, cocoa and a nice finish. Here are seven to seek out.

7. Argentina: The Graffigna 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($13) is, like most Argentinean wines, incredibly well-made for the price. Step it up with the (No. 6) 2005 Grand Reserve ($20), which is a little more complex.

Five more Cabs for under $20 -- plus how to tell them apart at tastings without going crosseyed -- after the jump.

Gretchen Roberts writes the wine blog Vinobite, has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

At Slashfood we're all about saving you moolah on the best food and drinks around. Here are five more Wine Steals to add to your "must-try" list.

5. Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro "La Planta" 2007 ($13): This Spanish red, made from 100 percent Tempranillo, has dusty plum and strawberry flavors with warm vanilla and allspice. With nice, grippy tannins and a lingering finish, it's a real winner for the price and one of best $13 wines I've had in ages.

4. The Sopranos Red Blend 2007 ($15): Its light, earthy bouquet speaks to Italy's terroir, but like Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri, it's fairly soft and round for an Italian mobster vino.

Three more Wine Steals and an ice cube (for wine, that is) poll after the jump.

Well, what do you suppose popped up at the liquor store next to the Recession Red?

Recession White!

Ladies and gentlemen, it's $3.99, it has a plastic cork, and it's totally decent. It's a mild, dry California chardonnay; gentle oak without too much vanilla (why do all the chardonnays I'm tasting lately have so much vanilla?). I would recommend pairing Recession White with bold, stinky cheeses or, you know, ramen noodles if you're in this for the price tag.

Between Recession Red and Recession White, I'd say the red is the better value. I'd pay more for that wine -- but I don't have to. This chardonnay is definitely acceptable, though, and mild enough to please a crowd. So bring it to a dinner party. I did on Monday and was met with smiles all around.

I've had a number of inquiries about where in New York I've found this delightful duo of Recession wines for $3.99 so I'm gonna go ahead and say it: Adel Wines & Liquors on Columbus Avenue between 105th and 106th Street.

I'll see you there.

So, I was browsing my local liquor store and came across a wine called Recession Red for $3.99 (this is on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Andre is more expensive). I looked at the bottle. Merlot. Just what I was in the mood for ... but could it possibly be any good?

I asked the guys at the counter and they were like "Oh yeah, everyone loves it, it was in the New York Times even!"

So I bought it. I have yet to find that article, but you know what? It's delicious.

It's a 2006 Merlot from Recession Wine Company of Livermore & Ripon, California. The copyright is 2008, so clearly the wine came before the marketing idea.

The idea is good. The wine is good. The price is unbelievable. Imagine the smiles if you showed up to a dinner party with Recession Red. Recession Red is my new favorite wine. Keep an eye out for it!

The world of wine can be intimidating, so you have to go into it with a few rules, and David LeClaire, the sommelier at The Tasting Room in Seattle, has some advice, including:

1. There's no such thing as peanut greg-io. Learn how to pronounce the big names, or you're going to sound like a big geek. You don't need to know everything - and it's OK to stumble on the obscure French boutiques - but do yourself a favor and take "Gewurztraminer" out for a spin before your big date.

7. Move over, Scrooge McDuck. More expensive wine is not always better, especially in the store (bottom-shelf shoppers, rejoice!). But, since a bottle of wine in a restaurant is marked up, by up to three times its retail price (four times for wines by the glass), the cheapest bottle you'll want to buy in a restaurant is $30, says LeClaire. If you're watching pennies, go for wines from Spain, Chile, Argentina or Australia - they're good and half the price.