Comparing the picks: A survey of recent selections from popular wine experts, spotlighting bargains and best values among other choices at their websites.
2005 Markham Wines Glass Mountain Chardonnay Napa Valley, U.S.A. – California:
Natalie MacLean — A promise of "good balance … with green apples and oak." Her best value white selection. $13.95
Penfolds, South Eastern Australia (Australia) Shiraz “Koonunga Hill" 2005:
Michael Franz — "Tasty and expressive, but not over-the-top, this delicious wine features fresh berry fruit with hints of both red and black fruits." One of several Penfolds reviewed. $11
Fortant de France 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Vin de Pays d’Oc:
Beverage Testing Institute — A "supple, yet vibrant entry" that offers a "dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of tangy cassis, crunchy red apple, and delicate cocoa-spice flavors." A best buy. $7
2005 Screw Kappa Napa, Napa Valley Zinfandel:
Lynne Char Bennett — A two-star pick among a long list of Napa Valley Zinfandels. "Smoked bacon and dried thyme wrap around its restrained purple fruit." $14
2005 Cecchi "Bonizio” Sangiovese di Maremma, IGT, Tuscany, Italy:
Jerry Shriver — Described as playful, meaning "full of pleasant dried-cherry and spice flavors, its light-to-medium texture dances on the tongue." About $9
Mochel Torino Malbec Calchaquí Valley Rosé 2007:
James Molesworth — Seen as very tasty and something to drink now … "really bright and juicy, with ebullient cherry and strawberry fruit." $12
2004 Chateau La Grange Clinet:
Edward Deitch — For a Bordeaux, this is a classic red that "won’t break the bank." It boasts "elegant fruit with notes of blackberry, cassis and black and red cherry, along with cedar and tobacco." $10
Terre del Nero d’Avola (Rossetti) 2005:
Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher — The best value among a group of Sicilian Nero d’Avola selections. "Nicely crisp, somewhat peppery and very interesting, with real life." $9.95
Castello Banfi, Col di Sasso 2006:
Dave McIntyre — This is a Cabernet Sauvignon/Sangiovese blend that "offers fruit and heft at a price rarely seen in a red from Tuscany." $10
Tip: Print out this list and bring it to your local wine shop — even if a specific favorite isn’t available, ask the salesperson to recommend something similar. Or try browsing the latest wine reports from this custom collection of hundreds of news websites — filtered for bargains, continuously updated, and quick and easy to scan:
- Reds (from Beaujolais to Zinfandel)
- Whites (from Chablis to Sauvignon Blanc)
- Organic (red, white, in between)
To hit closer to home, try WNR’s Smarter Wine Search tool and see what wine finds local columnists and wine experts may be writing about in your area. Once there, just type in your city and state (within quotation marks, as in, "Napa, California"), to get results ranked by relevance.
Or scroll down to the bottom of this page and dig into top wine lists from a variety of sources. You’ll also find links to everything from a food-pairing database to websites for comparative wine ratings.
The Web is about community. So take a moment to comment about your experience with a particular wine — to help steer others to or away from it. And of course, have a great weekend!