Twitter Cheap Wine Challenge
/Buying wine can be a tricky thing because unless you've tasted the wine before, you're going in blind. You can do research or get friendly tips, which definitely helps, but you still won't know if the wine will be worth YOUR dollars. Taste is subjective, and while your girlfriend might have loved her $65 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon or your buddy may have loved his $7 Ruffino Chianti, you may not. But no matter what you pay for a wine, it's always important to get your value out of it. I've spent $60 on bottles that I thought were worth $100, $50 on bottles I thought should be $10, and vice versa. That's why it's so important to remember that price and value are two completely different things.
In the spirit of getting the most out of your money, Raelinn Schmitt of Wine Ophelia has started the Twitter Cheap Wine Challenge. The contest is open to all bloggers, and all that has to be done is to share your favorite nationally available and priced under $10. All entries must be in by January 15, with a huge blind taste challenge on January 21 to determine the winning wine. Here's my wine choice:
The NV St. Cosme Little James Basket Press was a wine I bought at Binny's Beverage Depot last year for $8.99. I went for it based upon it's unique nature. It's a south Rhone red wine made by Louis Barruol (no relation to Billy Baroo) from 100% organically grown Grenache out of a solera system, known best from sherry and marsala production. Different vintages are combined so that you get a steady product every release, making this a non vintage wine. Each release is a compilation of older vintages and 50% current vintage. It comes with a medium-full body with loads of fresh fruits like cherry and blueberry, along with licorice, black pepper, and exotic spices like clove and cinnamon. The finish is medium plus in length (a good ten seconds) and it's topped off with a stelvin enclosure (screw cap) making it easily accessible! Try pairing this with anything from the grill, especially lamb- the char, smoke and game will meld well with the wine flavor.
I have a hard time picking out favorite wines, but when I thought of an interesting and good wine that I've tried recently, Little James was the first to come to mind. I even used it to help build out my last client's inventory at Catbridge Cellars, which is comprised of mostly of earth friendly (sustainably, organically, and biodynamically grown) wines. I don't have this wine listed on my Best Buys just yet, but it will be soon. Hope it's on everyone else's after this tasting too!
In the spirit of getting the most out of your money, Raelinn Schmitt of Wine Ophelia has started the Twitter Cheap Wine Challenge. The contest is open to all bloggers, and all that has to be done is to share your favorite nationally available and priced under $10. All entries must be in by January 15, with a huge blind taste challenge on January 21 to determine the winning wine. Here's my wine choice:
The NV St. Cosme Little James Basket Press was a wine I bought at Binny's Beverage Depot last year for $8.99. I went for it based upon it's unique nature. It's a south Rhone red wine made by Louis Barruol (no relation to Billy Baroo) from 100% organically grown Grenache out of a solera system, known best from sherry and marsala production. Different vintages are combined so that you get a steady product every release, making this a non vintage wine. Each release is a compilation of older vintages and 50% current vintage. It comes with a medium-full body with loads of fresh fruits like cherry and blueberry, along with licorice, black pepper, and exotic spices like clove and cinnamon. The finish is medium plus in length (a good ten seconds) and it's topped off with a stelvin enclosure (screw cap) making it easily accessible! Try pairing this with anything from the grill, especially lamb- the char, smoke and game will meld well with the wine flavor.I have a hard time picking out favorite wines, but when I thought of an interesting and good wine that I've tried recently, Little James was the first to come to mind. I even used it to help build out my last client's inventory at Catbridge Cellars, which is comprised of mostly of earth friendly (sustainably, organically, and biodynamically grown) wines. I don't have this wine listed on my Best Buys just yet, but it will be soon. Hope it's on everyone else's after this tasting too!
