Choosing Wines--Quality over Quantity
After his service in World War II my grandfather moved to Michigan and joined the family farm. Much of my family carries on that tradition. He didn’t grow grapes, but all sorts of other fruits and vegetables throughout the growing seasons. What I’ve always remembered was how good the food tasted on the farm, not always because it was fresh, but because I knew where it came from and how much care went into it. This is exactly why wine fascinates me--when you sort through all the reviews, tasting notes, vintages, etc., it’s just farmers doing what they do best with the resources they have.
When choosing a wine I try my best to determine as much as I can from the bottle in my hand. Is where it came from a place I can actually visit? Many wineries buy grapes in bulk from co-ops with little control over the farming of the grapes themselves. Do they make wine in small batches or at huge production facilities? I was never impressed with how much my grandfather grew, but rather how good it tasted. Quality over quantity is a good rule of thumb in almost everything I spend my hard earned money on. Finally, how is it presented? Some of the best wines for the money spend little on flashy packaging and focus on the product (Block wines are a great example of this).
After wandering the wine aisles of my Lake Wales ABC, I’ve been able to find some great wines by following these simple rules. While not every wine available fits all the criteria, I always get a little excited when I find I think of wine as an adventure and am always looking for the best wines for the money. The surprising thing is that there are many wines under $20 that certainly fit the bill. Here are some of my favorites:
Muirwood Cabernet ($16.99) – This wine is proprietor grown, produced and bottled, has a simple label, and the Cabernet really delivers with smooth tannins; it is full of black currant and berry flavors.
Vigilance Chardonnay ($14.99) – 70% barrel-fermented, this wine has rich, buttery layers. Wonderful baked-apple, pear and pineapple around slight hints of toasted oak and vanilla.
Cross Springs Petite Sirah ($12.99) – Aromas of blueberry, dark chocolate and spice. Ageing in American oak produces hints of vanilla and berries with a long, smooth finish.
Block 028 Red Blend ($21.99) – A blend of Cabernet, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel, this big red has a raisined aroma similar to Amarone. The smooth, medium body gives way to flavors of black cherry and cola with hints of vanilla.
Bill Dahl, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Wine Consultant
Follow me on Twitter @abcwinebilld
0 comments:
Post a Comment