Finding a budget wine is easy. It's finding one that you'll like that's a challenge. There are many enjoyable wines for under $10, but the lower the price the lower your odds of finding a winner. Don't worry, there are some tips for raising those odds.
Geography is the best rule of thumb for finding wines you'll like at any price, because it is geography that wields the greatest influence on the style of the wine. Every wine label will tell you where the grapes were grown. Typically, the more specific the geography, the higher the quality of the wine, so don't expect exact coordinates on a $6.99 bottle. Rather than a specific vineyard, you'll get an entire state or country meaning the grapes came from multiple places within that area. So match your palate to the geography. If you enjoy $15 wines from Australia, stick to Australia for your budget wine. That doesn't mean you wouldn't like the budget Spanish wine, but we're playing the odds.
Some regions give you more for your money. Well-established wine regions such as Rioja, Burgundy, Chianti, and Napa are in greater demand, so wines from those regions cost more. New Zealand, Australia, South America and South Africa are relative newcomers to winemaking and often give you higher quality than the price suggests.
Certain grapes are less risky for a budget wine. In general, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Syrah/Shiraz and Red Zinfandel are more forgiving for mass produced, budget wines. Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Cab are higher maintenance in the vineyard and during production, and therefore the result can be tragic. If you have a choice between a budget Merlot, Cab and Pinot Noir, get the Merlot to increase your chances of getting a palatable wine.
Look for the percentage of alcohol on the label. The general rule of thumb is Higher = Drier or more robust. For white wines, 8% is soft and 14% is drier. For reds, the range is typically 12% to 15+%. For softer wines, get lower percentages, and conversely higher will be more robust.
If you want to skip all the hard work, rely on professionals. A knowledgeable retailer should ask a few questions about your taste in wine in order to match a wine to your taste. A great wine is only great if it suits your palate, not theirs.
And remember, it's your review that's most important!
Chip Sellarole and Tammy Kennon are co-owners of Chip's Wine & Beer Market at Milepost 6 in Kill Devil Hills. |
