Good Wines under $10.00 dollars

We all do it. We all have those bottles of wine that are around $30.00 sitting in our basements and wine racks, that we just never seem to open. It is just never the right occasion. We don't want to open a good bottle with pizza or Chinese food, or even if we make a homemade meal, because it just never seems appropriate. Well, what if you could open a good bottle, that was inexpensive enough, that there would be no guilt opening it up mid-week. Impossible?

Who says you can't have a good wine for under $10.00? Granted you generally get what you pay for, but the wines below are bursting with value at a very low price. These wines are perfect for the every day and make a good addition to a potluck or dinner party, due to their versatility. Each of these wines is meant to be drunk young and have been engineered to be best if drunk right now. So, grab a few of these bottles and enjoy.

Gala Rouge, 2004 Pinot Noir $9.99:

Gala Rouge is a fun Pinot from France. The grapes are harvested in late August/early September in the Languedoc Roussillon (near Bésiers and Carcassonne). The wine is fermented in stainless steel for several weeks and then divided with some of the wine fermenting in steel and some fermenting in oak. The two mixes are then blended together to create a balanced wine with full-bodied fruit and undertones of oak.

Color: Cherry color with garnet-red tints.

Nose: Hints of deep red berry fruits with woody and toasted bread
aromas.

Tasting: Touches of black cherry and blackberry with highlights of oak and
soft tannins. (1)

This versatile wine accompanies most foods with grace and style. Gala Rouge is great as an every day wine, comfortable next to a burger, plate of spaghetti, or your favorite take-out. This wine also makes a good gift or addition to a dinner party.

Gala Rouge is well known for its vintage label and can often be seen in movies, catalogues and advertisements, due to its decorative appeal. The label is inspired by vintage posters that were first seen in France in the 1900's.

Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel $9.99:

If you had read the Spring Wines article in the May newsletter, you would know that I have some contempt for the White Zin. Red Zins, particularly an Old Vine Zinfandel is an entirely different proposition. An Old Vine Zin is made from grapes harvested from...old vines. The vines have a very low grape yield due to their age and the grapes are all hand-picked.

Gnarly Head takes its name from the vines themselves. As the vines age, they become unruly, twisting, knotting, and branch off in all directions, looking truly gnarly. Gnarly Head is a late harvest, hand-picked from a mix of 35 to 80+ year old vines, in Lodi California. The wine is made from a blend of 77% zinfandel and 23% Petite Sirah (another phenomenal grape). The grapes are gently pressed, immediately after being picked. The wine is then fermented for 7-9 days in French, American, and Hungarian Oak before being bottled and racked. The quick fermentation concentrates the bold fruit flavors.

Gnarly Head is full of rich flavors including dark berries, plum, pepper and chocolate. This is another wine that is great for the every day and also makes a good gift or potluck addition.

Secret de Campane

Vin de Pays de la Principauté d'Orange $6.99:

The Secret de Campane is made from a blend of Grenache (60%), Old Carignan (30%) and Cinsault (10%). The name of this wine is taken from the Campaniles that have overlooked Provence villages since the 12^th century. I apologize that I was unable to find information on the wines fermentation, nor was I able to find tasting notes.

This interesting blend has less balance than a typical French wine, but at $6.99 it is hard to beat. There is a heavy wine that can be tasted on its own or paired with food. On its own, more of the dark berries and fruit come to the forefront. When paired with food, the acidity and wood is more prominent. This wine paired well with grilled meats and mild cheeses.

To be honest, I picked up this wine for its sentimental value. The wine is harvested from the Principauté d'Orange, a location I visited this past August. This wine comes from a region rich with history and culture. d'Orange is the home of the famous Théàtre antique d'Orange, a Roman theater built early in 1st Century A.D. It is one of the best preserved Roman theaters in the world and hosts the summer opera festival Chorégies d'Orange.

Il Bastardo Sangiovese Rosso di Toscana $6.99:

This wine is a strong Italian red with bold dry flavors. The name may seem insulting, and maybe it is. A Bastardo is a mix of Barbera and Barberesco grapes. This wine in particular is a good bargain for the price. This wine is a dark-ruby red, with dark cherry aromas. There is plenty of fruit in this wine but also a strong woody presence and a bit of terror. Il Bustard is a bit rough around the edges, not quite balanced, with some lingering heat. That being said, it is a great match with the traditional Italian food. This wine compliments a hearty red sauce, meatballs and sausage, or a good pizza. The acidic tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil smooth out the wine and bring out the Chianti qualities

And now for some Dessert:



Evenus Zinfandel Port $9.99 (3) :

This is a wonderful port-style wine, using the Zinfandel (red) grape. This wine is made in Paso Robles California and while lacking in complexity, is an easily drinkable, very worthwhile wine. This Port boasts strong, full, raisiny Zinfandel flavors and aromas of blackberry/blueberry syrup. Try this wine on its own or with a complimentary dessert that has lots of spice, like a pumpkin ice cream, dark chocolate, or nut filled confection. The sweetness of this wine can also be paired with savory foods, such as curries, or cous cous dishes.

This article was written by Jessica R. Manganello, Esq. Jessica is an attorney and "wine-nut" with Exemplar Law Partners, LLC at their headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts. Exemplar is the first large firm to abandon the billable hour and instead offers fixed prices and customized legal services in the areas of business/corporate law, international law, entertainment and business development. Exemplar also offers a discount to Wild WE members.

All of the wines that are reviewed in this article can be found at Downtown Wine & Spirits in Davis Square, Boston. The store has an incredible selection of wines and beers from all over the world, great service, and reasonable prices. If you stop by the store, direct your questions to Alan the store manager. He is always helpful.

Labels: wines