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, 98% honestly made and even the other 2% honest enough. (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.
Chew on these guys. And invite me over.
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 Pepiere - 2008 (750)
Loire, Nantes
Bottle Price:$12
***Muscadet "Cuvee Classique", Guy Bossard - 2006 (750)
Bottle Price: $15.99
*Beaujolais Chardonnay, Terres Dorees, 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)
Rhone
Bottle Price: $8.99
*VdP Merlot, Dom. de la Patience - 2007 (750)
Languedoc-Roussillon
Bottle Price: $11.99
Ctoes du Rhone "Grandes Vignes," D'Estezargues - 2007 (750)
Rhone, Cotes du Rhone
Bottle Price: $11.99
Counoise VdP, Ramiere, Monpertuis - 2006 (750)
Rhône
Bottle Price: 11.99
**Corbieres "Premier Pas", Dom. des Deux Anes - 2007 (750)
Languedoc-Roussillon, Corbières
Bottle Price:$12.99
Cotes de Duras Rouge, Ch. Haut Lavigne - 2006 (750)
Southwest, Cotes 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 Pepie" Rouge, Dom. de la Pepiere - 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
*Faugeres, La Croix Belle - 2004 (750)
Languedoc-Roussillon, Faugeres
Bottle Price: $14.99
*Bourgogne Grande Ordinaire, Montchovet - 2008
Red, France, Burgundy
(gamay!)
Bottle Price: $15.99
**Costieres de Nimes "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
Slovenia
Exto Gredic Vineyard (toh-kai), Quattro Mani - 2008
Tocai friulano
Bottle Price: $11.99
Austria/Red
Blauer Zweigelt, Berger - 2008 (LTR)
Bottle Price: $13.99
USA!
Silver Thread Riesling, - 2007 (750) $14.00
New York, Finger Lakes
an off dry number
