How to find the right wine? Match good taste, good value, wine columnist says

I’ve made up my mind. No negative thoughts in 2020. Yes, the Aussie wine industry will bounce back from those devastating fires. Yes, those ugly tariff issues with the European Union will be quickly resolved. And yes, the oversupply of grapes will soon disappear. Millennials will finally realize it’s time to step up to the plate and drink American wine. The boomers will thank you as they pass on the torch. Cheers!

My 2019 Wine List

“All the major supermarkets, drug stores, Trader Joe’s, World Market, Costco, Bev-Mo, Grocery Outlet and online,” is my answer to where I buy my wine. I’ve been cruising the wine aisles for almost 50 years. I look for wines with good value and within my price range. In other words, I find a wine that I like, one I can afford and then I enjoy it. Here were my go-to wines in 2019:

Red

1. Cabernet Sauvignon: Columbia Crest, an $11 wine for under $7. A great daily red. 2. Merlot: Chateau Ste. Michelle, another Washington red, $10. 3. Zinfandel: Terra D’Oro, under $12 with a 90 rating. 4. Red Blend: Essential Red by Bogle, good field blend, not sweet, $8. 5. Petite Sirah: Bogle, definitely a real purple teeth stainer, $9. 6. Pinot Noir: SEAGLASS, $12, a Best of Class/Double Gold with Santa Barbara grapes. 7. Mabec: Costco’s Kirkland import from Argentina, well-balanced easy drinker, just $7.

White

1. Chardonnay: Bogle, not manipulated, with crisp apple flavors $9. 2. Sauvignon Blanc: Dry Creek Fume Blanc, an acidic steal at $10. 3. Pinot Grigio: Costco’s Kirkland import from Italy, a varietal-correct sipper, $6. 4. Viognier: McManis scores gold medals over other higher priced Viogniers. 5. Rose: SEAGLASS, a medal winner with Central Coast fruit, $10.

A Bargain Red Blend Tasting

I purchased five red blends at the local Grocery Outlet for $32. I invited nine expert (at least they said they were) winos to pick their favorites. The winner with seven first-place votes was a 2016 Sonoma County Defiant by Seghesio, $6.99. Second place was a tie between the 2015 Columbia Crest H3 Red Blend, $6.99, and the 2016 Gabbiano Dark Knight Toscana Red, $5.99. These three garnered all the votes. Check out your local G.O. for these bargains.

What’s on our table: This week it was the 2017 Kenwood Vineyards Six Ridges Pinot Noir. The SRP is $30 but it is sale priced several dollars less. It has ripe red fruit aromas with a touch of spice, flavors of black cherry and strawberry, with soft round tannins for a long spicy finish. A bit of a splurge but well worth it. Cheers!

Questions? Comments? Find me on Facebook or at rgwinton@yahoo.com.

This story was originally published January 22, 2020 at 11:15 AM with the headline "How to find the right wine? Match good taste, good value, wine columnist says."