Top Ten $10 Wines

Over the weekend I received a letter in the mail from my bank. They were writing to inform me that I had $10 in an old savings account I had opened when I was a kid. To be quite honest I had forgotten about the $10, so I kind of feel like a kid playing Life or Monopoly who just got handed a card that says "Bank error in your favor. Collect $10." I know I'm rambling over an Alexander Hamilton here, but in today's wine market, that can get me a lot. All of this led to a list of the top ten wines for $10. And since I'm feeling a tad indecisive, I'm employing my readers to help me. Peruse the list and leave a comment telling me which one I should purchase with my ten spot.

1. Cristalino by Jaume Serra - 'Cava' Brut Rose - Spain NV - $10

After a ridiculous legal battle between French luxury brand Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey (LVMH) and value-packed sparkling Spanish wine producer Cristalino, this wine is now Jaume Serra Cristalino, as opposed to simply Cristalino. LVMH owns Louis Roederer, the Champagne house that produces the Cristal Cuvée De Prestige, and their claim is that "An appreciable number of consumers falsely believe because of the name CRISTALINO that an inexpensive sparkling wine is the low-priced offering of the makers of the premier champagne, CRISTAL." While that's absolutely ridiculous, in August of 2010 a federal court in Minneapolis ruled that Cristalino infringed on the coveted name and therefore must change the name of their product. Enter Jaume Serra Cristalino.

This value-packed Cava is a great alternative to traditional Champagne. Cava, like Champagne, is produced using the traditional method. It's made from 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Trepat, a grape native to the northeast of Spain. This wine is dry, as Brut on the label indicates. It's fresh and clean, with flavors and aromas of strawberries, raspberries, and cherries, and the traditional production method imparts aromas of fresh bread dough. The Cristalino by Jaume Serra makes a great seafood pairing.

2. Snoqualmie Vineyards - 'Winemaker's Select' Riesling - Columbia Valley, Washington 2009 - $10

The next ten spot wine is a wonderful white from the Pacific Northwest. Snoqualmie is an Eco-friendly producer owned by Washington wine group Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, whose portfolio includes Chateau Ste. Michelle, Erath, Columbia Crest, 14 Hands, along with several others. The 'Winemaker's Select' Riesling by Snoqualmie comes from the Columbia Valley in Washington, one of the largest American Viticultural Areas (AVA) in the US. What I like about this wine is that it's bright and crisp. Many Pacific Northwest Riesling's tend to be fatter, with lush fruit flavors and aromas that equate to presumably higher sugar levels. Instead, this wine is off-dry and refreshing, with characteristics of peach, pear, and apricot. It pairs well with shellfish, soft cheeses, and spicy dishes.

3. Pomelo - Sauvignon Blanc - California 2009 - $10

This next "top tenner" takes its name from the fruit that it showcases. Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc tastes and smells like the Pomelo, a citrus fruit native to southeast Asia. Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc was conceived in 2004 by Randy Mason, owner of Mason Cellars in California who has been producing world-class Sauvignon Blanc since the mid 1990's. This wine is dry, displaying fresh citrus aromas of grapefruit, lemon, lime and of course, Pomelo. It's a great pairing for white meat and fish as well as vegetable dishes, especially salads with a vinaigrette dressing.

4. Fairview - 'Darling' Chenin Blanc - Coastal Region, South Africa 2010 - $10

This next value-packed white comes from South Africa. Fairview, creator of the Goats do Roam wine line, is owned by the mischievous Charles Back II. The winery is home not only to grape vines, but also a goat farm. These goats produce award winning cheese, and provided Back with inspiration when naming his "goat" wines. Chenin Blanc, sometimes called Steen in South Africa, is a staple varietal in the South African wine industry. The 2010 Darling Chenin Blanc by Fairview comes from vineyards just outside of Darling on the west coast of the country. This slightly off-dry white is lush, with flavors and aromas of citrus fruit coupled with green apples and peaches. It makes a great partner to chicken and seafood as well as Chinese dishes.

5. Yalumba - 'Y-Series' Viognier - South Australia, Australia 2010 - $10

Number five on this top ten list is one of this writer's favorite Viogniers in almost any price point. Yalumba, which is aboriginal for "all the land around," is a fifth generation, self-proclaimed oldest family-owned-and-operated winery in Australia. Like Snoqualmie, Yalumba is a good steward of the earth, practicing Eco-friendly winemaking techniques. Under the guidance of winemaker Louisa Rose, Yalumba makes stunning wines at a remarkable price. The 2010 Y-Series Viognier by Yalumba is full of peaches, pears, and honeysuckle. It makes a great pairing to vegetarian dishes as well as cream-based pasta dishes.

6. Vina Cono Sur - Pinot Noir - Central Valley, Chile 2009 - $10

This next Hamilton-friendly wine is owned by the incredibly young and innovative Cono Sur winery. As I highlighted in Top Ten "New" Wines To Ring In The New Year, Cono Sur is owned by Chilean wine giant Concha Y Toro. They are producing some absolutely stunning wines for the price, and this particular bottle is a great example of that, especially since it's rare to see a good-quality Pinot Noir for under $20. This delicious red comes from the Central Valley, a large region in Chile that stretches 120 miles from Santiago in the north to Concepcion in the south. The Pinot Noir by Cono Sur displays red fruit flavors and aromas of raspberry, cherry, and strawberry, pairing well with grilled white meat and fish.

7. MandraRossa - Nero d'Avola - Sicily, Italy 2008 - $10

As I noted in Top Ten Value Packed Wine Regions, southern Italy is home to an ocean of value-packed wines. In Sicily the Nero d'Avola grape in particular is making some approachable, well-priced wines. Many describe the wines of this grape as a juicy, Syrah-like red. MandraRossa bottles carry the "Traceability of Production Line" sticker which indicates that each wine carries information relating to each step of production and distribution. The MadraRossa Nero d'Avola displays bright red fruit flavors and aromas of cherry and raspberry, with just a hint of vanilla courtesy of the six months it spent in oak barrels. It's a great partner to red meat and pasta dishes with red sauce.

8. La Vieille Ferme - Ventoux - Rhone, France 2009 - $10

Number eight on this top ten list is an old favorite of mine. La Vieille Ferme, translated "The Old Farm", is owned by French wine giant Perrin & Fils, whose portfolio includes the world-famous Chateau de Beaucastel of Chateauneuf du Pape in France. According to importer Vineyard Brands, "Jean Pierre Perrin established La Vieille Ferme over 35 years ago, when he chose to produce an inexpensive, straightfor­ward Rhône wine to sell by direct mail to French wine lov­ers. He used the same grape varieties in similar proportions to those planted at the family’s Château de Beaucastel, in a similar vinification process. The result was an immediate success in France, a wine of character and style in keeping with its Beaucastel heritage." The La Vieille Ferm Ventoux is loaded with rich red fruit and spice. It pairs well with a variety of red meat dishes, along with lamb and duck.

9. Quinta da Garrida by Caves Aliança - Red - Dão, Portugal 2007 - $10

According to Portuguese wine group Aliança's website, "Aliança was founded in 1927, over 80 years ago, by 11 associates leaded by Domingos Silva e Ângelo Neves, in Sangalhos (Anadia’s county), Bairrada region. Present in the main wine regions of the country, Aliança believes in quality, and to accomplish the goal, the company purchased several Estates, in regions as Alentejo, Douro, Dão, Bairradas and Beiras, exploring around 600 ha of winery." The investment group's portfolio includes labels like the Quinta da Garrida from the Dão region of Portugal. Garrida's 2007 red blend was given an 88-point rating by the Wine Spectator. The Quinta da Garrida Dão red is a blend of Jaen, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Nacional, three red varietals native to Spain. The wine is loaded with dark fruit flavors and aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and plum. Its smoky characteristics make it a great partner for grilled meat.

10. Paringa - Shiraz - South Australia 2008 - $10

Paringa Vineyards is owned and operated by Australian wine god David Hickinbotham, whose family has been instrumental in the progress of Australian wine. The Paringa line was designed to provide the world with good-quality, value-packed wines. According to the about us page on their website, "Wine from the Paringa vineyard under the Paringa label was first produced in 1999. The 2000 Paringa Cabernet was one of the first $10 retail per bottle wines to receive 90 points from the Wine Spectator magazine. The 2001 Pariga Shiraz also received 90 points and the wine also appeared on the front cover of Wine Spectator and was a Top 100 wine. The latest vintage, the 2008 Paringa Shiraz recently received a score of 89 points from Wine Spectator magazine and was a best value as well as the best buy of the week on the Wine Spectator website." This wine is big, with dark fruit aromas of blackberry and black cherry. It's loaded with Shiraz's stereotypical spice. This wine will pair wonderfully hamburgers, mushrooms...maybe hamburgers with mushrooms.

Now I ask for your feedback. How should I spend my new-found wealth? Read the list and make a suggestion by leaving a comment, a message on facebook, or by emailing me directly.

For more information about me, more incredible wine picks and delicious food and wine pairings, check us out online at Cru Wine Online. You'll find daily Wine and Recipe pairings just for our users. We pair our chefs' recipes with delicious wines, and bring them to you in an entertaining video short, complete with a brief explanation of the wine, the dish, and the pairing.

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Salut,

Nicholas Barth

Wine Director

Certified Sommelier

Cru Wine Online

Top 10 "New" Wines To Look For In The New Year

Ahh...the new year. It signifies rebirth, a clean slate. A chance to get it right and avoid the mistakes you made the year prior. Oh, who are we kidding. We all know history repeats itself. But I will say, the new year is the perfect opportunity to try some amazing new wines. As I think about the year ahead, I begin to envision the "new" wines 2011 will bring with it. So I put together a list of 10 must-try wines for the new year. If you're feeling adventerous, this year's resolution could be to try all 10 before the ball drops in 2012.


1. Vina Cono Sur - Brut Sparkling - Bio Bio Valley, Chile NV - $20
We start this top ten list with a relatively new wine produced by the young, innovative Cono Sur winery of Chile. Cono Sur is the offspring of Chilean industry giant Concha Y Toro. The winery was founded as recently as 1993, but they have quickly become a staple in the Chilean wine market. They are the second largest exporter of bottled wine in Chile in terms of value, and they are one of the most progressive wineries in the country in terms of eco-friendly winemaking practices. Cono Sur was the first winery in South America to receive a double ISO certification, one for their quality assurance procedures, and one for their environmental policies.

What makes this wine worthy of my "new" top ten list is the fact that Vina Cono Sur is one of the few Chilean wineries to make wines with grapes grown in the Bio-Bio Valley, located in southern Chile. Bio Bio is one of the most southern wine producing regions in the world, boasting a climate that is sunny yet cool. These factors create ideal conditions for growing high acid grapes, which are perfect for producing sparkling wines. In addition this bubbly is a unique blend, consisting of 90% Chadonnay, 6% Pinot Noir, and 4% Riesling. It is dry - as the term 'Brut' on the label signifies - fresh, and clean, and makes for a great pairing for your backyard deck...or seafood.


2. Koutsoyiannopoulos - Assyrtiko - Santorini, Greece 2009 - $19
This next one comes from a region that has been making wine for over 6500 years. But only recently have we started to see a surge of good quality wines. The country is focusing on native varietals and modern production methods. The result is a boom in Greece's wine quality and quantity. This particular refreshing white by Koutsoyiannopoulos is made from the Assyrtiko (aka Asyrtiko) grape, a varietal indigenous to the island of Santorini. Santorini is regarded as one of the most beautiful vacation destinations in the world. I myself would enjoy basking in the sun and enjoying this beauty with a friend, but it also pairs well with shellfish and white sauce dishes.

3. Lorca - 'Fantasia' Torrontes - La Rioja, Argentina 2010 - $15

Torrontes is the most-planted white wine producing varietal in Argentina. The grape could be considered the yin to Malbec's yang. Three varieties of Torrontes exist: Torrontes Sanjuanino, Torrontes Mendocino (aka Mendozino), and Torrontes Riojana. Torrontes Riojana is by and large the most widely planted of the three, accounting for over 20,000 acres of vineyard land in the country. When not properly cared for the grape can produce wines lack acid and are way too high in alcohol. Fortunately Lorca's Fantasia series Torrontes is well crafted, and the wine is clean, crisp, and bright, not flabby and hot. This wine is great with seafood, chicken, and ceviche.


4. Southern Right - Sauvignon Blanc - Walker Bay, South Africa 2010 - $19
Southern Right is a boutique South African producer that specializes in Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc. It was founded as recently as 1994 by Anthony Hamilton Russell, and the Sauvignon Blanc remains the wineries best seller. The label takes its name from the Southern Right whale that frequents the cool Walker Bay, and with every bottle sold Russell contributes a donation to the Southern Right whale conservation. Not that I need a reason to feel good about drinking, but it doesn't hurt to know I'm saving the whales every time I pour a glass. This wine is racy, with citrus fruit flavors and aromas. It pairs well with salads, garlic chicken dishes, and whale...kidding! On second thought...


5. Mollydooker - 'The Violinist' Verdelho - Adelaide, Australia 2010 - $25
Named after the Australian term for a lefty, Mollydooker is an outstanding Australian producer. The winery is owned and operated by left-handers Sarah and Sparky Marquis. Sarah and Sparky have spent the last decade or so making wine and building brands around Australia. In 2005 they decided to make wine exclusively for their own project, Mollydooker. The name the Violinist comes from the days when Sarah was forced to play the Violin right handed so she wouldn't poke her right handed neighbors in the eye with her bow. All of their wines are labeled with clever, quirky names that are linked to a story about their lives.

The Mollydooker Violinist is made from the Verdelho grape a white wine producing varietal native to Portugal, specifically the island of Madeira - not to be confused with the Verdejo grape of Spain. The Australian style is widely prized for its intense flavor and oily texture. The Violinist Verdelho is big and powerful with aromas of honeysuckle and lime. A great pairing for creamy pasta dishes, and it can even stand up to veal.


6. Inchanka - Bonarda - La Rioja, Argentina 2007 - $15
Inchanka, translated "Water of the Condor," is a relatively young producer in Argentina. This wine is imported by John Larchet of the World Wine Headquarters, a company that has an outstanding portfolio full of delicious treats. If you ever see a bottle with the WWHQ sticker on it, pick it up. In my experience, they only carry good juice.

This wine is made from the Bonarda grape native to Italy. In Argentina the grape is the second most widely planted red varietal. The Bonarda by Inchanka is loaded with concentrated red and black fruit aromas and flavors. The fruit is complimented by plenty of spice and a smoke-like characteristic. This wine is a great match for red meat, especially grilled.


7. Paringa - Cabernet Sauvignon - South Australia, Australia 2008 - $10
Paringa winery was established by the Hickinbotham family in the late 1990's. Their 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon was the first $10 bottle to get a 90 point rating from the Wine Spectator. What solidified Paringa's place on this top ten list is their outstanding commitment to quality. Year after year they produce value-packed wines with great flavor and character, which is more than I can say for almost any other $10 Australian wine. This red is loaded with black fruit flavors of currant and blackberry. Its weight, tannin structure, and acidity make it a prime candidate for a big ol' steak, especially a top sirloin.


8. Decoy by Duckhorn - Zinfandel - Napa Valley, California 2008 - $22
Duckhorn was founded in the mid 1970's by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn, and while this winery is by no means "new", the 2010 release of their 2008 Decoy Zinfandel marked the first vintage of this spicy devil. Duckhorn is a large, well-respected producer in Napa. They regularly receive high accolades from various industry specialists and trade magazines. The Decoy series has allowed them to showcase their Napa Zinfandel at a "non-Napa" price. For the first run of this red they produced over 9000 cases, no small amount for a market "test" batch. This juicy red pairs well with Cajun spiced pork, turkey, and beef.


9. Bodegas Volver - Tempranillo - La Mancha, Spain 2007 - $16
Volver could be my new love affair. Imported by Spanish wine icon Jorge Ordonez, this delectable red highlights the robust flavors and aromas of Tempranillo. It comes from the very large La Mancha sub-region of Spain. I say very large because La Mancha accounts for nearly one third of all the wine produced in Spain. This wine is full-bodied, with flavors and aromas of black and red fruit smothered in spice. This, coupled with its well integrated tannins, makes it a great pairing for lamb and beef. This wine gets better with each vintage, leaving me very excited for the 08'!


10. Quinta do Vallado - Red - Douro, Portugal 2007 - $19
While the Quinta do Vallado has been in the Ferreira family for six generations, it has only been in the last 10 years that we've seen the true quality this estate is capable of. It was in the late 1980's that the red wines of Portugal took a turn for the better. Before that time, grape prices were too low and growers made only enough money to sustain their businesses - updating equipment and staying current with technology was out of the question. But a surge of quality-conscious wine producers soon paved the way for what is now an encouraging wine industry.

For years the Ferreira family produced Port wines, but in 1993 they chose to steer their family winery in a different direction. It was at this time they took a quality-focused approach to red and white still table wine production. The 2007 Quinta do Vallado basic Red scored a 93 point rating in the Wine Spectator, a 92 point score in Wine & Spirits, and a 90 point rating from Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate. The wine is a blend of 5 native Portugese varietals, including Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Roriz. The wine is muscular, with concentrated red fruit characteristics. A monster like this deserves a roast, a steak, or simply a refill.


While some of these producers have been around for quite a while, it's only recently that their production has gained enough attention to be recognized on the international wine scene. Think of this list as an opportunity to try wines you've never heard of, a project, if you would, for 2011. I hate to give homework, but if it involves drinking, I figure it's not a bad assignment. I would love to hear about your "new" 2011 wines, so contact me on Facebook or via email.

For more incredible wine picks and delicious pairings, check out Cru Wine Online. We pair original recipes with delectable wines, and bring them to you in an entertaining video short, complete with a brief explanation of the wine, the dish, and the pairing.

Sign up today for a 6 Month Membership and receive a FREE wine glass set, a $19.95 value. Life's short, so drink it up. At only $7.99/month you can't afford not to! Happy New Year.

Salut,

Nicholas Barth

Certified Sommelier

Wine Director

Cru Wine Online