Recommendations for an on-a-tight-budget rookie?

Hi Tim.

Here's an article from The Globe and Mail wine columnist Beppi Crosariol who writes for the LCBO crowd in Ontario. I think most of his picks in this article should be available in Alberta.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPSt...PEntertainment/Style

Check your local papers for a wine columnist, I'm guessing there should be at least one.


t.b.

The Edmontonian

Welcome to the WS Forums...

In the back of the Wine Spectator magazine, there is a listing of "Best Buys"! These are the wines you may be looking for.

Also, most of the wine critics have a listing in their service which would show a list of those type of wines-------and there are many!
Robert Parker, Steve Tanzer, Jancis Robinson.
Good Hunting!

If you can find them up there, Estancia in Monterey County puts out some pretty decent wines in your price range.

hi edmontonian,

you can search for Value Wines on the Wine Spectator site under Wine Ratings:
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Value_Wines/0,3876,,00.html

if you're not a paying member of the site when you search for the wines, you'll probably see an offer for a 3-day free pass to the site. you'll need to take advantage of this offer before you can see the lists of value wines or value wineries.

remember that a more expensive wine does not necessarily provide a better example of a varietal than does a less expensive wine.

and part of the fun of wine is finding good values. on saturday night, i took two bottles to dinner and everyone, including me, preferred the $9 Muscadet (Chereau-Carre Chateau de Chasseloir 2003, WS88 points) to the $21 Italian white.

the internet provides another great resource: when you buy a wine, many producers have websites where you can find tech info and winemaker notes.

plus, go to the Resources area of Wine Spectator School:
http://www.winespectatorschool.com/resources
where you can download a Tasting Method Chart along with a Tasting Journal form that coordinates with the chart. they'll help you evaluate the wines you taste.

cheers!

I would recommend you the Zenato Ripassa '01 if you can still find it. Great wine for your price range.

Thanks for all of the advice, everyone

Tim

I've never been dissapointed with a bottle of Wolf Blass Yellow Label, $16 Cdn..

You might try doing a search for "QPR" in the Tasting Notes forum. Or a search for any tasting notes by the author "Spenser" as I'm under similar budgetary restrictions. You'll find several recommendations.

I take advantage of free tastings they do at the big wine store here.

A good way to develop your palate on the cheap.

Then you can try before you buy, too.

Do the CA LCBOs do tastings?

Edmontonia: You will of course discover what you like. In your price range I would recommend the Marquis de Casa Concha line from Chile. Cab, Merlot, and Chardonnay. All are extremely good for the money. Agree with Estancia comment. Also, Chateau Souverain, the Sonoma County Bottlings. Also, Sebastiani's Sonoma County bottlings. For Sauvignon Blanc, try and find Nobilo from New Zealand. I've been doing this for 23 years and I think these are good value's today. For a few bucks more, the Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandra line from Chile is also very good.

My QPR's of the month include the 2004 Alba Liza tempranillo-garnacha (USD 6.99). This is better the next day after opening and will be replacing the 2003 Las Rocas (USD 8.99) and Greg Norman Cab/Shiraz (USD 12.99) as one of my everyday wines.

Great question for a Canadian drinker. So many of the "best buys" are not available in Canada. I need some good "go to wines" as well. Some that I have enjoyed for under $20 are these:

Malbec - Bodegas Catena Zapata Almos $18.95

Casillero Del Diablo Conch Y Toro in the Carmenere, or the Syrah $12.99

Alice White Chardonnay $12.98

Simon Gilbert Shiraz approx $15.00

Barossa Valley Estates Spires Shiraz or Chardonnay approx $15.00

Lindemans Reserve Shiraz approx $16.00

Goats Do Roam (the regular one not the Goats Do Roam in Villages) approx $13.50

Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Porcupine Ridge $15.99

Let me know if you find any more.
Remember these are BC prices, you will probably spend less in AB. Welcome to the boards.

I also need some more wines at this price point. Maybe Seaquam or Tyee could help out here. I find that we have almost all of the family gatherings at our house.Usually 25 people or more. I am tired of putting a bunch of bottles of decent wine and ending up with the weird crap from obscure countries that people brought. They seem to like drinking a better bottle, but would never bring one. I need a better selection of $15 wines in BC.

Ps I really enjoy the Kim Crawford Sauv Blanc. Drank it all summer.

quote:

Originally posted by Dixie:
Ps I really enjoy the Kim Crawford Sauv Blanc. Drank it all summer.

can you get Neudorf or Mt. Riley SBs in Canada? They are fabulous. The Mt. Riley should be cheaper than Kim Crawford (and a few points better).

The Alba Liza is only USD 6.99 and is amazing for the price (Parker gives it 87pts, I think; I give it 89).

For reds, go for Cotes du Rhones, some Oregon pinots, and Argentinian Malbecs. Chateau Souverain is always nice.

Stay away from all of the Grand Estates wines from Columbia Crest and all of the Castle Rock (yes, strictly my opinion... I just think they are all boring and at times lousy).

Aussie shiraz... that's up to you... there are tons of options... they just all taste the same to me (zzzzzzzzzz....). Thorne & Clark (or is it Thorn & Clarke?) makes some nice wines, and d'Arenburg always has good stuff.

For whites... white burgundy is always a winner for me. NZ sauv blanc is great for summertime... pass on the Cali chard and pass on pinot grigio altogether. Loires are great... not sure how they are priced up there, but they are always $20+ in Ohio.

LJ

one of the best wines I have had lately is
Errazuriz Estate Cab Sauv 2003 from Chile, $15.50 Cdn. Give it a try you will like it!
Cheers!

Try some German rieslings. You can get a lot of quality for a good price. Try some kabinetts for that price range.

Blackstone Merlot of any vintage
...cheap and underated

Adrian,
Good to see you back!

I am on a budget my self.

I like the following that are well under $20.

Toasted Head- Cabernet Sauvignon

Hess Select- Cabernet Sauvignon

Meridian- Chardonnay

Oyster Bay- Pinot Noir

Kenwood- Savignon Blanc

Brancott- Sauvignon Blanc (Cheaper and better than Kim Crawford, In my opinion)

Smoking Loon- Syrah

Beringer- Alluvium Red 2000 (Cheap beacause of the bad vinatge, otherwise expensive, I love it.)

Terra Unica Tempranillo Reserva 1998 (Cheap bottle of wine but I loved it. Cannot find it in CA.)

Wow, you are certainly an informative and helpful group! I'll use this list for my next few purchases and let you know how things went, and hey, maybe I'll try a TN at some point *gulp*...

Tim

Rosenblum Zinfandels. Buy anyone you can find in your price range. They are wonderful wines, different from most any other varietal and great values.

Get out now, while you still have a chance.

Tastes get more expensive every day! It is just how this wine addiction works.

I started in the same place as you, looking for the best QPR's- now I am plotting on how I can get more 1st growth magnums into my little 150 bottle cooler!