December '09 Party Wine

When I was asked about which wines to buy at Trader Joe's under $20 a bottle, I realized my friends needed help. When I got another call, with more serious consequences, I saw I had no choice. "Will you be around this season?" my friend asked. "Like, where should I be going?" I said. "Great! So you'll be here." "Maybe yes, maybe no. The wind blows secrets," I said. "Well," she said, " If you're around, and if you come over, I want to make sure you can drink something instead of always bringing your own." Her sweetness took me out of talmudic stupor. I decided I was going to put together a shopping list of inexpensive wines (mostly under $15) that 1) i can drink and some i 2) love to drink. Those with stars get extra credit! This list is compiled from the current inventory at Astor Wines & Spirits in New York City. I am torn, if I give you my Chambers Street Wish List, there will be nothing left for me to buy. We'll see. Meanwhile, chew on these guys. WHITES Minervois Blanc, La Tour Boisée - 2008 (750) Bottle Price: 8.00 *Alsace Blanc, Kuentz-Bas - 2007 (750) Bottle Price: $12 Cotes de Duras Blanc, Ch. Haut Lavigne - 2008 (750) Southwest, Côtes de Duras Bottle Price: $12 **Muscadet, Dom. de la Pepière - 2008 (750) Loire, Nantes Bottle Price:$12 ***Muscadet "Cuvee Classique", Guy Bossard - 2006 (750) Bottle Price: $15.99 *Beaujolais Chardonnay, Terres Dorées, Brun - 2008 (750) Burgundy, Beaujolais Bottle Price: $13.99 *Ch. du Champ des Treilles Blanc, Sainte-Foy Bordeaux - 2007 (750) Bordeaux (a little muscadelle gives this florailty) Bottle Price: $13.99 Carignan, Poudou - 2008 (750) $7.00 Languedoc-Roussillon, Coteaux de Peyriac (REAL rustic, but look at that price PARTY WINE!) Bottle Price: $13.99 Vin de Vaucluse, Dom. de l'Ameillaud - 2007 (750) Rhône Bottle Price: $8.99 *VdP Merlot, Dom. de la Patience - 2007 (750) Languedoc-Roussillon Bottle Price: $11.99 Côtes du Rhône "Grandes Vignes," D'Estezargues - 2007 (750) Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Bottle Price: $11.99 * Minervois, Ch. d'Oupia - 2007 (750) Languedoc-Roussillon, Minervois Bottle Price: $11.99 Counoise VdP, Ramière, Monpertuis - 2006 (750) Rhône Bottle Price: 11.99 **Corbières "Premier Pas", Dom. des Deux Anes - 2007 (750) Languedoc-Roussillon, Corbières Bottle Price:$12.99 Côtes de Duras Rouge, Ch. Haut Lavigne - 2006 (750) Southwest, Côtes de Duras Merlot blend Bottle Price: $12.99 Fleurie, Dom. des Grands Fers - 2007 (750) Burgundy, Beaujolais (a little 4-square but again, for the price, terrific) Bottle Price: 14.00 Mas de Gourgonnier, Baux de Provence - 2007 (750) Provence, Baux de Provence Bottle Price: $13.99 Le Champ du Coq", Dom. La Croix Belle - 2006 (750) France, Languedoc-Roussillon 13.99 **"La Pépie" Rouge, Dom. de la Pépière - 2007 (750) Loire, Nantes This is a Cot from Marc Ollivier, Bottle Price: $13.99 Champs des Treilles Rouge "Le Petit Champ", Sainte-Foy Bordeaux - 2006 (750) Merlot Bottle Price: $13.99 *Faugères, La Croix Belle - 2004 (750) Red, France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Faugères Bottle Price: $14.99 *Bourgogne Grande Ordinaire, Montchovet - 2008 Red, France, Burgundy (gamay!) Bottle Price: $15.99 **Costières de Nîmes "Marginal", Terre des Chardons - 2006 (750) Some meaty syrah for you. needs food. Bottle Price:$16.98 ****Cheverny Rouge "Le Clos des Carteries", Venier - 2008 (750) (current coup de couer) Bottle Price: $16.99 Italy: Monferrato Dolcetto "Nibio", Cascina degli Ulivi - 2006 (750) Bottle Price: $12.99 Austria/Red Blauer Zweigelt, Berger - 2008 (LTR) Bottle Price: $13.99