Need a good, inexpensive red wine

[STR8UP]

I know my way around tequila, vodka, and rum, and I'm pretty much an expert when it comes to beer, but wine I know next to nothing about.

I need a decent, inexpensive red wine.

In the past I have bought Yellow Tail Shiraz. Not bad for my tastes, but I'm not a wine drinker.

I'm buying it for someone who is staying with me for a couple of days, and I doubt if she's really picky about it, but I would rather not serve a guest some rotgut hooch, if you know what I mean.

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

I don't drink red wine often but I've had Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon (1996) with a couple of vastly diverse menus ranging from petite filet mignons to Pappa John's pizza delivery. It was surprisingly good! It has a bit of a raspberry taste to it. It's only $10-12 a bottle too.

 

[penkitten]

st julians has one that is really good and cheap.
you can find them online.

 

[Latinoman]

Check your PM.

 

[Bonhomme]

Di Majo Norante Sangiovese

Organic, just dry enough and very "clean" tasting, and about $10 US per bottle, sometimes even less. Every bit as good as much more expensive wines.

 

[Rollo Tomassi]

Dude,..Smoking Loon Merlot. Cost's around $8-$9 and will blow your sox off. Don't waste your money on the 'colors & critters' label stuff, it's just repackaged mediocre crap.

Another good Merlot or Chianti is Tall Horse from South Africa. Good stuff and under $12.

Enjoy.

 

[STR8UP]

Don't waste your money on the 'colors & critters' label stuff, it's just repackaged mediocre crap.

Yea, I know. I'm sure it's like Corona. Stuff I call "grocery store" beer. Not BAD, just not really good either.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. The most awesome wine store in the world is two blocks from work. 1000's of wines. I will see which of these I can find.

 

[speakeasy]

Dude,..Smoking Loon Merlot. Cost's around $8-$9 and will blow your sox off. Don't waste your money on the 'colors & critters' label stuff, it's just repackaged mediocre crap.

Does Yellowtail fall into that category?

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Yea, I know. I'm sure it's like Corona. Stuff I call "grocery store" beer. Not BAD, just not really good either.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. The most awesome wine store in the world is two blocks from work. 1000's of wines. I will see which of these I can find.

Get a couple of different bottles and ask the resident oenophile for a brief description of each. Write it down if you can't memorize it. Then offer your guest a choice with a brief description. You don't need to profess being expert, but you know just enough to make a couple of good choices at the "licker'stow"

 

[STR8UP]

Get a couple of different bottles and ask the resident oenophile for a brief description of each. Write it down if you can't memorize it. Then offer your guest a choice with a brief description.

Haha, well, my guest is probably more accustomed to paring her red wine with Doritos and Ramen noodles than Herb Crusted Honey Dijon Rack of Lamb, so not much need for formalities

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Haha, well, my guest is probably more accustomed to paring her red wine with Doritos and Ramen noodles than Herb Crusted Honey Dijon Rack of Lamb, so not much need for formalities

Well if that's the case this is the site you need to go to.

http://www.bumwine.com/

If you want to impress her, mix up the wine with some cherry Kool-aid.

 

[Rollo Tomassi]

Does Yellowtail fall into that category?

Not really. Yellowtail's a new brand, but I'm not sure I'd lump it into the colors & critters category. I only know about this stuff because I've done a few labels for some distributors that want to cash in on the trend right now. I'm not complaining, they pay well, but when the bottle and label cost more than the wine in the bottle I'll pass.

Funny thing is that the colors & critters stuff became popular around 4 years ago as a result of market research that showed that about 70% of wine buyers were women (shocking, I know) who really knew little to nothing about wine. The stuffy old style Ernst & Julio Gallow labels were a turn off for women so mediocre brand startups began slapping bright, colorfully illustrated labels on their off brand vintners bottles and they out sold the big boys right out of the gate.

So of course now everyone does it. It's like a competition to see the next fluffy animal, cute illustration or catchy "unorthodox" name they can come up with; forget what the wine tastes like. So when you see the next bottle of Red Truck, BIg Fin, Bad Momma's Red, you'll know the score. Just for the record, I did the Tall Horse and Big Fin labels,..heheh.

 

[Killer_Demo]

the red MD 20/20 strong stuff for 3 bucks

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

the red MD 20/20 strong stuff for 3 bucks

And don't forget, "There is also a new "Blue Raspberry" flavor with "BLING BLING". "

 

[STR8UP]

If you want to impress her, mix up the wine with some cherry Kool-aid.

She's pretty sophisticated for her age as far as food and stuff goes, but being in school full time I'm sure she doesn't exactly eat gourmet every night.

I'm sure whatever I pick up will be fine.

 

[Deep Dish]

You can never go wrong with some Pinot Noir or Red Zinfadel.

 

[Yotsuya-san]

I know my way around tequila, vodka, and rum, and I'm pretty much an expert when it comes to beer, but wine I know next to nothing about.

I need a decent, inexpensive red wine.

In the past I have bought Yellow Tail Shiraz. Not bad for my tastes, but I'm not a wine drinker.

I'm buying it for someone who is staying with me for a couple of days, and I doubt if she's really picky about it, but I would rather not serve a guest some rotgut hooch, if you know what I mean.

I love NV Piccolo Cru (Paoletti). It's a Bordeaux Blend. But you need to know where to find it. Best bet is to ask at specialty stores. You may see it on the wine menu of a very good bistro.

And also, you can't go wrong with Baron Herzog. It's reasonably priced and it's Kosher.

 

[Mr.Positive]

I'm actually a big fan of Trader Joe's "2 Buck Chuck".

Not sure if you have a Trader Joes in your area, but for a 2 dollar bottle of wine, it's actually pretty d@mn good. The Shiraz actually won awards and beat expensive wines.

Not for bringing a bottle to someone's house, but if you are serving dinner at your place, the wines good, cheap, and you can serve plenty of it.

 

[KarmaSutra]

I'm actually a big fan of Trader Joe's "2 Buck Chuck".

Not sure if you have a Trader Joes in your area, but for a 2 dollar bottle of wine, it's actually pretty d@mn good. The Shiraz actually won awards and beat expensive wines.

Not for bringing a bottle to someone's house, but if you are serving dinner at your place, the wines good, cheap, and you can serve plenty of it.

This sh1t is slammin'! The Charles Shaw truly is a cheap ass wine better than the high priced stuff.

A good friend sent me a case from Vegas for my upcoming birthday. I wasn't supposed to have any until he comes down and we hit up Key West but I couldn't help it. It's surprisingly sweet and has a clean, fresh finish on the palate. Great with a rare (or raw as as my preference) steak and I'll assume sushi.

I did some research and this guy sells about 50 million bottles per year. Just for the "2 BUCK CHUCK".

 

[Mr.Positive]

This sh1t is slammin'! The Charles Shaw truly is a cheap ass wine better than the high priced stuff.

A good friend sent me a case from Vegas for my upcoming birthday. I wasn't supposed to have any until he comes down and we hit up Key West but I couldn't help it. It's surprisingly sweet and has a clean, fresh finish on the palate. Great with a rare (or raw as as my preference) steak and I'll assume sushi.

I did some research and this guy sells about 50 million bottles per year. Just for the "2 BUCK CHUCK".

Yeah, I just can't see spending money on an expensive wine anymore. I've yet to try a bottle of wine (under $10) that even comes close to Charles Shaw.

Funny thing is that a buddy of mine got married a few years ago. They had cases upon cases of "2 buck chuck" at the wedding reception, and everyone loved the wine. They got a lot of compliments, and saved a ton of money on the reception too.