The Best Inexpensive Wines Available Now

Niebaum Coppola Rosso is/was delectible for $9. I have not bought the rosso in a number of months, so the price may have went up.

I also tried the hot, at least in my area, Blackstone Merlot ($15.00) and Niebaum Coppola Merlot (~$15.00), but I think Kendal-Jackson is superior. I do not have that much experience with wine, though. But the rosso is worth checking out if any of you are in a convenient position to do so...or, if its the end of month and you want to through a party, but the bills are due...you know ;)

Just had the 2001 Navarro Mendocino Pinot Noir ($14.50) and immediately bought more. Very nice.

2-buck-chuck!?! What a contrast from the single-malt thread! Good wine doesn't necessarily mean expensive, but surely you'all could come up with some better suggestions for this poor guy than that..

There's a whole world of phenomenal wine bargains out there - fortunately, here in CA we have access to many more of the "domestic" (ie., California) selections than most of you on the east coast.

For awesome values, try:

Zin's - anything current from Rosenblum or Ridge (both have terrific mailing list programs) - Seghesio's nice, too...

S. Blanc's - current releases from New Zealand are great (Villa Maria, Mud House, Te Karanga, etc..) as are many 2001's from Sonoma

Pinot Noir - 2001 is about the best vintage ever for CA juice, after a couple of good years in Wash/Oreg - throw a dart at anything from the Russian River area...

Rhone - an epic string of vintages, both in the North and in the South, have flooded the market with terrific, age-worthy bargains...

Seek out a decent wine shop with proper storage conditions and seek out some suggestions - forget about Trader Joe's, the package liquor office, and your local grocery store. If the bottles are dusty, stored upright out in the open and near a sunlit window, don't buy them...

A couple of fantastic direct-order outfits here in southern CA will ship direct (check the allowable states): www.winehouse.com and www.thewineclub.com

And remember, life is too short to drink 2-buck-chuck! I wouldn't even cook with that stuff...

Mad Fish Chardonnay - unoaked Australian chardonnay (around $12-14 a bottle). Crisp citrus flavors - best to be savored next summer in New England...

Wine Spectator 89 (if you're into that sort of thing)

My favourite inexpensive wine is "Chateau Musar" from the Lebanon. The 1995 is just about all gone now and the 1996 is widely available. 1995 is fuller bodied but 1996 is still delightful. Cost in the UK around £10-£12 per bottle, maybe cheaper in the US. I know the country of origin is a bit of a surprise, but seriously it is an outstanding wine.

Grapes are a blend of Cab-Sauv, Syrah and Cinsault