It’s officially Autumn… Football season is under way, the stock market and the economy have tanked, a barrel of oil is 60% what it was a few months ago, but gas prices are still high. The election is in full swing and you can turn on any news station without seeing something about Obama and McCain. The Cubs and Sox are done for the year, and watching a Bears game is like asking for an aneurism or at least a mini stroke. I can’t think of better circumstances to get wasted, especially at home or at a BYOB.
During the summer, while you’re sitting on the patio or hanging out in the yard, typically people drink a lot of lighter white wines, such as pinot gris or sauvignon blanc. If you’re drinking red wine, it’s the lighter styled pinot noirs. In the restaurant industry, we see it with liquor. Vodka sales generally slip a little and give way to Scotch and Whisky. As it gets colder and drearier outside, we need more substance, so now’s the time to drink the heavier Cabernet Sauvignons, the big Chardonnays, and the dark and spicy Syrahs.
It takes little skill or wine knowledge to go to the store and buy an expensive bottle of wine… price equals quality, right? Usually it does, although with some wines, especially those owned by the big corporate conglomerates or those that have been around for a real long time, sometimes you also pay for their marketing or for their need to please the shareholders. The real trick is to find a bottle of wine at a good value, that has the quality of a wine that is more expensive.
When I go to a liquor or wine store to buy wine, I generally buy wines in three different price ranges: Under $20, Under $30, and $30 and up. We’re going to focus on the two formers and save the latter for when my 401K goes back up…
First off, knowing where to find good wines is important. You can search for deals at Whole Foods or Dominicks, and you can get great prices at Costco, but places like Binny’s or Sam’s, that focus solely on liquor and wine are my choice. They’ll also have better selections and are more likely to feature lesser known wines, made by smaller winemakers, and generally there’s a wine geek somewhere that can answer questions for you and is eager to do so.
So what should you look for…. First off, stay clear of the Coppola’s and the Mondavi’s. I usually stay away from California and Australian wines too… Ever heard of Shiraz? That’s what happens when great marketers from Australia try to sell their wines to unsuspecting housewives or PLRG’s that read about it in Women’s Circle. They’re mass produced, generally non-quality wines that mostly taste the same and have little character outside of a clever bottle. The same grape that is used to grow Shiraz, the Syrah grape, is actually native to the Rhone Valley in France, and because of the success of the Australians, you can always find a great deal and value on these wines. “Cote Du Rhone,” those are the three words to look for. They’re almost all good values and great wines. In fact, it’s actually hard to find a Rhone Valley Syrah for more than $25. Some of my favorites… E Guigal, Jaboulet, Domaine D’Andezon, and they’re all between $15 and $20 at Binny’s. These wines are going to be a darker red, almost purple, with great spice, and a lingering finish. Good stuff for a cold night with anything from pizza to steak, awesome with cheese.
Focusing on wines from regions that are just struggling to get their wines in front of you is one way to get a good value. Many high end winemakers have what they call a “second wine.” Generally, these wines are of great quality and made with the same wine techniques, they’re just not able to be labeled the same, for various reasons. A great example is Dom Perignon… Only in spectacular years or vintages do they make Dom; 1998 was the last year it was made. When they don’t make Dom, they still use the grapes and make champagne, they just label it differently and sometimes make it in a different style. In the case of Dom, it’s called Moet and Chandon White Star… You’ve probably heard of it.
For about $12 at Binny’s and Sam’s, you can buy a bottle of Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s founder, Chuck Wagner, also founded a winery called Caymus several years back. “Caymus Special Selection” can go for as much as $200 a bottle; Liberty School is made using similar techniques and grapes. Bottom line it’s a great value.
So go out there and drink away your sorrows, but try to do it with a little class and a little dignity. There’s plenty of great wines out there, and lots of restaurants that will let you bring those wines in during the week for a small or sometimes no corkage fee. Cheers.
(Story by Scott Weiner)
Give back while throwing down with the 
