Category Archives: Experts’ picks

Experts’ weekend wine bargains: Fabulous ‘pizza wine’ to best-buy Bordeaux

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Comparing the picks: A survey of recent selections from popular wine experts, spotlighting bargains and best values among other choices at their websites.

Banfi, Tuscany (Italy) “Colle Pino” 2005:
Michael Franz — From a producer as adept at making a “stellar” $100-a-bottle Brunello as a “pizza wine” that’s sure to please. “A fabulous buy.” $9

Château Au Grand Paris (Bordeaux Supérieur):
Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher — The best buy among a selection of Bordeaux from the “acclaimed vintage of 2005” that’s just hitting the shelves. “Perennial favorite.” Around $10

2005 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, La Valentina:
Edward Deitch — A “big, dark, fruity” wine that may not have the charm of some Italian cousins but a perfect match for winter meals. “… delicious and interesting.” $13

2006 Meridian Sauvignon Blanc, Central Coast:
Jerry Shriver — A “steely, zesty, almost tart” wine from a producer that’s one of the market’s most reliable. $10

2006 Hayman & Hill Reserve Selection Russian River Valley Chardonnay:
Lynne Char Bennett — With “fresh apple, plus smoky mineral and herbal hints that extend to the palate,” it also offers some interesting aromas. “… good value.” $15

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!

Experts’ weekend wine bargains: From a ‘vibrant’ Cab to a playful Tuscan

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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!

Weekend wine bargains: from a “luxurious burger wine” to some must-try Ports

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Comparing the picks: A survey of recent selections from popular wine experts, spotlighting bargains and best values.

2006 Obikwa Sauvignon Blanc Stellenbosch, South Africa:
Natalie MacLean — a “vibrant, refreshing” wine with aromas of lime, gooseberry and grapefruit. “An excellent value.” $9.15

2004 R Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley:
Jerry Shriver — “full-bodied yet drinkable, the oak is present but not dominant … a luxurious burger wine.” $19

Delta Vineyards, Delta Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Marlborough:
Jancis Robinson — “a very attractive combination of distinctive, top-quality, ripe Marlborough fruit and a gentle subtlety that almost hid an underlying minerality and elegant persistence.” £9.99

1986 Delaforce Colheita Tawny Porto:
Lynne Char Bennett — somewhat above the famed Wine News Review fairly frugal affordability index, but you get what you pay for: “almost Madeira-like nose is lifted with the perfume of white flowers … with perfect texture and balance.” $33

Cockburn’s Ten Year Old Tawny Port:
Jay McInerney — speaking of Ports, here’s a “great way to end a meal or a night,” and  “if you’re thinking of a chocolate dessert, this might be a good accompaniment.” $26.99

Mastroberardino’s Greco di Tufo “NovaSerra”:
Edward Deitch — “elegant and sophisticated” with “beautiful fruit.” It’s “light enough for casual sipping while far more distinctive and complex than many more familiar whites.” Interesting enough. $24

Tip: Print out this list and bring it to you 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 dig into some perennial standbys at SFGate.com’s Top 100 Wines of 2006, the Top 100 of 2006 list (PDF download) from Wine Spectator and the list of 50 Wines You Can Always Trust from Food & Wine.

Attracted to a bottle that’s advertised in the local paper or sitting on the local wine store shelf?

Do a little background research with Wine Enthusiast’s free, searchable Wine Buying Guide — either with a specific name or by types and price. For a little extra info, try Robert Parker’s handy Vintage Chart. Or see what the online wine community says about it with the search tools at cork’d, snooth or Wine Log.

Once you’ve selected the wine, you naturally want to decide what to eat with it. For some savvy guidance, try Natalie MacLean’s Wine & Food Matcher, which boasts a database of 360,000 wine-food pairings.

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!

Weekend wine bargains: Thanksgiving edition, experts pick reds and whites

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Comparing the picks: A special survey of Thanksgiving selections from popular wine experts and publications.

The spotlight in on bargains and best values ranging from an Italian bubbly to an “Old Vines” Beaujolais (with a couple California favorites to boot).

 

2006 Chardonnay, Justin Vineyards & Winery, Calif. Between $15 and $20
2006 Beaujolais “Old Vines” Jean-Paul Brun, France $14
Edward Deitch — Both red and white wines pair well with a Thanksgiving feast. “But which reds and which whites? That’s a somewhat tougher question…” This two-part series examines both, including the two picks listed here and several others in the linked stories: Part 1, whites. Part 2, reds.

Bisol 2005 Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Crede Brut, Italy
Dr. Vino — A bubbly for starters. This dry Prosecco has been a sure hit at Dr. Vino’s wine classes. Along with other selections as the meal progresses. $15

Rodney Strong Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, Sonoma County, Calif.
Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher — The two Wall Street Journal wine writers serve up some favorites for the CBS News Saturday Early Show. $13

2004 or 2005 Zind Humbrecht Pinot d’Alsace, France
The Dallas Morning News — This Thanksgiving wine-tasting panel’s favorite … “rich and slightly honeyed, with intriguing spice notes.” One of several listed. $14

Tip: Print out this list and bring it to you 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 Advanced 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 dig into some perennial standbys at SFGate.com’s Top 100 Wines of 2006, the Top 100 of 2006 list (PDF download) from Wine Spectator and the list of 50 Wines You Can Always Trust from Food & Wine.

Attracted to a bottle that’s advertised in the local paper or sitting on the local wine store shelf?

Do a little background research with Wine Enthusiast’s free, searchable Wine Buying Guide—either with a specific name or by types and price. For a little extra info, try Robert Parker’s handy Vintage Chart. Or see what the online wine community says about it with the search tools at cork’d, snooth or Wine Log.

Once you’ve selected the wine, you naturally want to decide what to eat with it. For some savvy guidance, try Natalie MacLean’s Wine & Food Matcher, which boasts a database of 360,000 wine-food pairings.

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!

Weekend wine bargains: “soft and round” tops experts’ picks

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Comparing the picks: A survey of recent selections from popular wine experts, spotlighting bargains and best values.

2006 Ironstone Vineyards Obsession Symphony Sierra Foothills, U.S.A. – California:
Natalie MacLean — “soft and round with a touch of sweetness” and the brand’s typical fragrance, her best-value white. $14.95

2006 McManis Family Vineyards Syrah, Calif.:
Jerry Shriver — serves up tones of black cherries and blueberries … “I could quaff this by itself or with a nice pork roast.” About $11

Tahbilk Marsanne 2005 Nagambie Lakes, Victoria:
Jancis Robinson — she calls this quite a rare variety, “pale gold and has an attractively wide range of aromas and flavours – ripe apricots and peaches, ripe apples, something slightly floral, maybe honeysuckle, and just a little bit of honey.” Under £7 in the UK

Banfi, Toscana IGT (Tuscany, Italy) Chardonnay & Pinot Grigio “Le Rime” 2006:
Michael Franz — “tasty little wine is fresh and pure and very usefully balanced on the line between light and medium body,” offering pear and white-melon flavors. $9

Yellow Tail Chardonnay South Eastern Australia The Reserve 2005:
Wine Spectator — neither heavy nor sweet, “soft and fruity, with spice and floral character piling on.” $11

Tip: Print out this list and bring it to you 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 Advanced 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 dig into some perennial standbys at SFGate.com’s Top 100 Wines of 2006, the Top 100 of 2006 list (PDF download) from Wine Spectator and the list of 50 Wines You Can Always Trust from Food & Wine.

Attracted to a bottle that’s advertised in the local paper or sitting on the local wine store shelf?

Do a little background research with Wine Enthusiast’s free, searchable Wine Buying Guide—either with a specific name or by types and price. For a little extra info, try Robert Parker’s handy Vintage Chart. Or see what the online wine community says about it with the search tools at cork’d, snooth or Wine Log.

Once you’ve selected the wine, you naturally want to decide what to eat with it. For some savvy guidance, try Natalie MacLean’s Wine & Food Matcher, which boasts a database of 360,000 wine-food pairings.

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!