Inexpensive Wine Buys from Consumer Reports 


Some are available at Price Cutter in Springfield 

Just in time for the holidays!

Quick Picks
   

Pinot noir
Delicate pinot noir grapes create wines that are subtle and moderately complex. Flavors include raspberry or strawberry, spicy notes, and cedar pencil shavings. Typically, wines are dry, with a medium finish--as in how long taste and texture linger after swallowing.

Artesa $18
Complex aroma notes, such as tobacco, leather, and pencil shavings, reflect classic pinots noir from France’s Burgundy region. Mouthwatering structure (tannin and acid) pairs well with food.

Meridian $10, CR Best Buy
Balances very ripe fruit with tartness, tannin, and some wood notes.

Beringer $12, CR Best Buy
Similar balance to the Meridian (3) but with less intensity. Has some classic pinot noir elements.


Pinot grigio/pinot gris
The same grape is called pinot grigio in Italy, pinot gris in France, and either name in the U.S. Both are relatively simple. Fruity aromas such as apple, pear, and citrus might be noticeable.

Hogue $10, CR Best Buy
Full-flavored pinot grigio with crisp acidity, clean finish, and wide array of ripe fruit aromas, notably tropical fruit, apple, pear, and citrus.

McManis $10, CR Best Buy
Similar to Hogue (16) but without the citrus; its aromas combine with the mouth-filling flavors of a classic pinot grigio.

King Estate $15
This pinot gris is full-flavored and crisp. It has a fuller body than most, as well as notable tropical-fruit, citrus, and honey aromas.

Ecco Domani $11, CR Best Buy
Though its flavors aren’t intense, they’re classic for pinot grigio, notably the tropical fruit. Crisp, dry, and short finish.

Bella Sera $8, CR Best Buy
Simple fruit flavors. Easy-to-drink pinot grigio.

Willamette Valley $12, CR Best Buy
Full-flavored pinot gris with ripe fruit and some wood notes; off dry.

   
 
Merlot and red blends
Merlots may have predominantly fruit aromas or offer a mix of fruit and wood on the nose. They may have herbaceous aromas in addition to typical dark-berry and spicy notes. The red blends in our Ratings
--which combine two or more varietals such as shiraz/syrah, cabernet sauvignon, and sangiovese--have similar characteristics to the merlots.

While as a rule wines are ranked in descending order of quality, two groups--Bogle (33), Concha y Toro (34), and Jacob’s Creek (35); and Chateau St. Jean (38) and Yellow Tail (39)--are ranked the same and listed alphabetically in the Ratings.

Gallo of Sonoma $13, CR Best Buy
This merlot has big, full fruit flavors and good structure (tannin and acid).

Bogle $9, CR Best Buy
Full-flavored, with ample fruit, good structure (tannin and acid), and a longer finish than most other merlots in this group.

Concha y Toro $9, CR Best Buy Intense ripe fruit and a firm structure (tannin and acid) characterize this merlot.

Jacob’s Creek $9, CR Best Buy
Consider cellaring this merlot for a year or two to allow its full fruit flavors to integrate better with components such as wood and tannin.

Yellow Tail $7, CR Best Buy
Big, young, rich, and fruity merlot. Lacks some wood to completely balance it. A bit sweeter than the others in this group.

Rosemount Estate $8, CR Best Buy
This blend of shiraz (62 percent) and cabernet sauvignon (38 percent) has rich fruit flavors and good structure (tannin and acid), and should soften if cellared.
   

  

Posted: Thu - November 17, 2005 at 07:10 AM          

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