[summerville]

I will readily admit, I'm not a wine expert. In fact, cheap red wine and I get along just fine. However, I am always impressed with those who are well versed in types of wines.....dry, full bodied, woodsy, etc. I enjoy a sweet red wine. Do you all have any favorites?

[skytrekker]

There is inexpensive wine- fair priced wine- and more expensive wine.

'Cheap wine' can only be 'ripple'. Even many box wines like Almaden are not bad really.

I saw a bottle of Dom Perignon rose' for $239 at a local store-- a wee too much too spend in a recession.

[doglover]

dragonmaster said:

There is inexpensive wine- fair priced wine- and more expensive wine.

'Cheap wine' can only be 'ripple'. Even many box wines like Almaden are not bad really.

I saw a bottle of Dom Perignon rose' for $239 at a local store-- a wee too much too spend in a recession.

Don't know if you have a Trader Joe's near you that carries wine, but they have a house brand that cost about $2.50 that is very good called Charles Shaw.

[mothermayi]

1doglady said:

Don't know if you have a Trader Joe's near you that carries wine, but they have a house brand that cost about $2.50 that is very good called Charles Shaw.

Your CA roots are showing 1doglady! (2 Buck Chuck) Around the holidays that stuff flies off the store shelves by the case load.

[doglover]

mothermayi said:

Your CA roots are showing 1doglady! (2 Buck Chuck) Around the holidays that stuff flies off the store shelves by the case load.

Until I left Ca. I never knew that Trader Joe's was in other states. It's here in Ma. but they don't carry wine nor do the markets...kind of like Virginia. Costco does in a special seperately run area.

[PDXnative]

We love Trader Joes. Great selection of wines UNDER $5. Two buck Chuck ($2.99) is okay, but they have others that are really good for a dollar or two more. We buy most of our wine at Trader Joes. BUT.... if you want a great Pinot Noir, it needs to be from Oregon. I highly recommend Duck Pond Pinot Noir. Affordable ($16 a bottle), and I think the smoothest in the valley.

[summerville]

My cheap, red wine is Reunite Lambrusco. I do wish I knew more about wines, though. I've been to a couple wine tastings, and that's about it.

What is it about going out to dinner, and having any glass of wine served in a sparkling crystal glass, by a well mannered waiter? It's always magnificent!

[skytrekker]

I have heard of 'Two Buck Chuck' the thing about wine is this; It does not have to be expensive to be good. I have had some acquaintances that could be called 'wine wannabes' buy A bottle of trendy Chardonnay for $12- and I can offer them a bottle of French white table wine from Bordeaux for 4-5 dollars less that is better--- when I tell them what I paid for it they become figidity- these days shopping smart for wine or any other alcoholic beverage, one needs to do research - there are many great online resources that rate and compare.

Why pay $55 for 1.75 liters of Grey Goose Vodka- when something for $20 bucks is almost as good.

BB a good red wine at 6-7 bucks a bottle is Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Sauvignon. (From Chile)
There are some great Chilean wines around- also try Frontera- their Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are great values- 1.75 liters around 7-8 dollars.

[PDXnative]

I prefer Chardonnay and really enjoy the ones from Australia. The one I like the best is Yellowtail Chardonnay. Crisp with hints of apple, smooth, and no buttery after taste. Very affordable, too!!

[skytrekker]

PDX

I agree, Yellowtail Chard is perhaps my fav Chard

[PDXnative]

dragonmaster said:

PDX

I agree, Yellowtail Chard is perhaps my fav Chard

YES, it is good, consistant, and only $8.99 for a 1.5 litre at Costco.

[jabm67]

We have Trader Joes here also, and we get Two Buck Chuck occasionally. I think we use it more for cooking than drinking, but it's eminently drinkable. There's enough good value stuff made here in WA and in OR (and there's a very nice little winery in Moscow ID, but all his wines are made with Washington grapes) that I "drink locally" as much as possible. I'm not a wine snob by any means, just trying to help the neighbors.