San Martino Prosecco Frizzante (NV)

This was a...... complex wine. As much as I love almost all Prosecco I have, there was something a bit off about this one.

Straight off, the nose was a bit astringent, with a bit off mineral quality to it, and then some very pleasant plum. The body was wonderful, mineral tones again with a bit of anise and vanilla. The finish unfortunately was initially astringent again, followed by a pleasant plum and pear aftertaste.

I just don't think I'd buy this again. It had very nice qualities, but not enough to make up for the unpleasant ones.

Mumm Napa Cuvee M (NV)

This particular wine is a lovely, inexpensive, and please-all bottle.

The nose was floral and a bit fruity. The body had soft, dancing bubbles and was just off-dry. Flavors were mineral, citrus-fruit forward, with a hint of the flowers from the nose. The finish was pleasant, light, and mild.

Being a non-vintage wine, I'm sure this will be a perennial favorite.

website: http://mummnapa.com/winemaking/signaturewines/winesProduct.cfm?product_id=388

Martellozzo Veneto Prosecco (NV)

This wine was a nice surprise. The nose was refreshingly mineral with a whiff of apple. The body was just a bit off-dry but very fruit forward with nice, medium acidity and easy flavors of apple and pear. The finish was a bit short, but that is fine for a wine that would make a nice standalone before a meal or with light appetizers.

The bubbles in this one were very soft and pleasant. USD 6.99 at Trader Joe's in Maple Grove, MN.

Monasteriolo Cava Brut Rose (NV)

I'm still not quite sure about this one, I might have a few more bottles to try and make a final verdict.

It has a pleasant pink grapefruit color. The nose is mineral, effervescent, and acidic. The body is nicely acidic, dry, and citrus fruit-forward. The finish is largely the same as the body but a bit sweeter.

The one problem with this bottle is that the bubbles were a bit harsh. It was enjoyable though and for the price (USD 6.99 at Trader Joe's in Maple Grove, MN) it is a good option.

R.L. Buller Victoria Fine Muscat (NV)

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I bought this bottle. What I got was a very unique fortified wine.

This Australian wine looked and smelled like a good port. The nose was hot as expected with a bit of cherry. The body tasted of sugarplums, nutmeg, and raisins with sweetness from brown sugar. The finish was long, raisiny, and sweet.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a nice, inexpensive alternative to a vintage port.

Website: http://www.buller.com.au/source/wines.html

Value Wines

Enjoying wine should not be an expensive endeavor. However, finding decent wine for less than USD 10 is a bit difficult. Finding good wine for that price is even harder. There are plenty of choices if you're willing to spend a little bit of money and enough time tasting.

Always remember that wine pricing is capricious and that wine has a tendency to be a Veblen good.

I'm listing some of my value favorites. All of the wines below are very easy-drinking wines, good for both hobbyists and people who normally don't drink wine. Most of them are easy to pair with food and will also be fine on their own. They are listed in no particular order.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling (2005):

This Riesling is an excellent value and a perennial standard. One will find this offered in many restaurants and it is available at almost any liquor store. The Cellars Wines & Spirits in Roseville, MN currently has it on sale for USD 8.99. It is a very easy white with a bit of sweetness and nice neutral fruit notes. One will easily pick up a bit of apple, pear, peach, and cinnamon in the nose and body. The finish is crisp due to a bit of acidity.

Columbia Crest Two Vines Gewurztraminer (2006)

A good Gewurztraminer is a wonderful thing. A bad Gewurz is one of the most awful things in the world of wine. One should be very cautious with lower-priced Gewurztraminer. This one is USD 6.99 at Lakeridge Liquors in St. Paul, MN and is lovely. The nose has a slight sweet floral character and the body has nice flavors of lychee, mixed fresh fruits, and cloves. The finish is very fruity and refreshing.

Trader Joe's Wines

The following wines are available exclusively at Trader Joe's. They are very well priced because they are sold exclusively at Trader Joe's. All of the prices are from the Maple Grove, MN location.

Lacheteau Vouvray (2006)

The absolute hands-down value king of Chenin Blanc. Available for USD 6.99. This vintage seems to taste just below a demi-sec in residual sugar. There is enough acid to balance out the sugar and make it flexible to pair with various foods. The best pairings would be with spicy foods. The nose is not very complex, mainly apple and honey. The body gives one apple, lime, honey, and a bit of pineapple. The finish is a bit sweet but not cloying.

Black Mountain Pinot Noir (2005)

Due to the "Sideways effect" Pinot Noirs are now typically quite expensive and dare I say overpriced. This one is sold for USD 4.99 and is wonderful. There are definitely better Pinots available, but not for this price. The nose is quite generic, but the body has nice rich dark fruit flavors attached to it with very soft tannins. The finish is short and easy.

Schloss Biebrich Sekt (NV)

"NV" means non-vintage. This particular sparkler is quite nice. Available for USD 5.99, it is great before a meal. It is quite bubbly compared to other sparkling wines, but for whatever reason it still drinks quite easily. The nose is fresh, slightly floral and mineral. The body is just off-dry and will give a primary initial hint of apple-pear followed by the flowers and minerals again.

Charles Shaw Wines (from Trader Joe's)

Yes, "Two-Buck-Chuck". In Minnesota, it is "Three-Buck-Chuck". It makes no difference, there are some excellent wines to be had from Charles Shaw. Notice that I did not say excellent values, excellent wines - period. Don't knock this stuff until you have tried it. It is important to note that due to the high volume of Charles Shaw Wine, there may be quite a bit of bottle variation. All are priced at USD 2.99 in Minnesota.

Charles Shaw Chardonnay (2005)

This is the one you've read about. Double Gold Medal and Best Chardonnay from California at the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition. Whether or not it was worthy of this award I do not know. What I do know is that I don't ordinarily like Chardonnays and I liked this one. The nose was very neutral, but the body was buttery, crisp, refreshingly citrusy, and has just enough oak to remind one it was a Chardonnay but not too much where it overpowered the flavor.

Charles Shaw Sauvignon Blanc (2006)

This is a nice easy choice if you want a Sauvignon Blanc but do not feel like paying the usual prices for other California or French Sauvignon Blancs. The nose is lightly floral and citrusy. The body is generically citrusy and dry with a hint of pineapple flavor. It finishes quickly, but pleasantly. There is a slight bit of grass in the body, but not enough to ruin it, especially for the price.

Charles Shaw Shiraz (2005)

This is a fine value red. Not very complex at all, but has a bit of dark fruit and some pepper and spice. It is quite simply a very easy drinking red that could go with just about anything you'd want to have a red wine with. I personally like this one with beef jerky. Don't bother asking for an explanation, it's just a nice way to finish an evening.

Websites:

http://www.ste-michelle.com/Sub_ColumbiaValleyVineyards.cfm

http://www.columbia-crest.com/wines_two.cfm

http://www.traderjoes.com/