New York Times Review: 10 wines under $10
The New York Times published an article on cheap wine, $10 and under to be specific. The goal of the article is to identify inexpensive wines that are not only palatable, but also have structure and personality. They tasted 25 different inexpensive wines to come up with their top 10.
Ironically, I haven’t tried any of the wines that made the NYT top 10 — despite that fact that I’ve tasted nearly 100 inexpensive wines in the past year (yes, I know not all of those are posted to the site — I’m working on it). I guess I’ll have to head to the wine shop and give these a shot.
In addition to specific recommendations, the NYT article also mentions wine regions that are most likely to produce good value wines. And no surprise Portugal and Spain topped that list. What was interesting was a mention of wine production up-and-comer Uruguay.
The part of this article that annoyed me was this: “… the issue of value — the ratio of quality to price — rarely enters into [wine selection]. Leave it to the Dining section’s wine panel to try to fill this vacuum.” Apparently these arrogant little eff’ers at the NYT’s Dining section are unfamiliar with Cheap Wine Ratings and out of touch with the blogosphere in general where several bloggers like me have already “filled this void.” Thanks for chiming in, but we’ll take it from here.
Their recommendations:
Casa Cadaval Portugal Ribatejano , $8.99, ***
Padre Pedro 2002
Smoke, earth, cherry and spice flavors in a well-structured Old World wine (Importer: HGC Imports, San Jose, Calif.).
Domaine de l’Ameillaud France , $9, ** ½
Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2005
Mild tannins with attractive, lingering flavors of berry, cassis and olive (David Bowler Wine, New York).
Viña Gormaz Spain Ribera del Duero , $9, **
Tempranillo 2005
Fresh and juicy with a lively spiciness (Classical Wines, Seattle).
Georges Duboeuf France , $9, **
Beaujolais-Villages 2006
Juicy, fruity and floral. Decent Beaujolais best served chilled (W. J. Deutsch & Sons, Harrison, N.Y.).
Altas Cumbres Argentina Mendoza , $9, **
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Lingering, jammy flavors of cherry and licorice (RV Distributors, Hoboken, N.J.).
Wyatt California Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 , $10, **
Big and almost over the top with dark fruit, oak and spice flavors.
J. Vidal-Fleury France , $10, **
Côtes-du-Ventoux 2005
Aroma of burnt rubber gives way to flavors of bitter cherry and spices (W. J. Deutsch & Sons, Harrison, N.Y.).
Domaine Monte de Luz , $7, **
Uruguay Tannat 2006
Rich and plummy with smoky, spicy cherry flavors (Baron Francois, New York).
Ravenswood California Vintner’s Blend , $10, **
Merlot 2004
Fruit, floral and spice flavors; straightforward and pleasant.
Paringa , $9, * ½
South Australia Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
David Hickinbotham Individual Vineyard
Big and powerful with berry, oak and fruit flavors (Grateful Palate Imports, Oxnard, Calif.).
[…] noticed that Paringa Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 was mentioned in the New York Times 10 Wines Under $10article that I highlighted a while back and I thought I should include it in my search for good, […]