Cheaper by the dozen
Posted on January 7th, 2009 – 4:51 PMBy Bill Ward
In the wine world, the word “bargain” does not necessarily equate to “inexpensive.” There are $12 and $25 and even $50 wines that are bargains, bringng the thunder in what I called “great oomph for the moolah” in this week’s Liquid Assets.
Here are a pair of mixed cases of wine that shouldn’t cost more than $150 (averaging $11.50-$12) and $200 (averaging $15):
The $150 Case:
Whites: Szermeley Pinot Gris from Hungary; Clean Slate Riesling from Germany; Foris Gewurztraminer and Hedges CMS blend from Washington; Le Poule Blanche blend from France; Murphy-Goode Fume Blanc (made by Minnesota native Dave Ready Jr.) from California.
Reds: Falesco Vitiano blend and Castello Monaci Mara Negroamano from Italy; Vivir, Vivir Ribera del Duero from Spain; Plantation 1905 from France; Bogle Petite Sirah and Marietta Old Vine blend from California.
The $200 case:
Whites: Four Vines Naked Chardonnay and Abundance Bountiful Blanc blend from California; Laulerie Montravel Bordeaux Blanc and Domaine Labbe Abymes Vine de Savoies from France; Martin Codax Albarinio Rias Braxas from Spain; Inama Soave Classico from Italy.
Reds: Mandolin Pinot Noir from California; Chateau Saint-Sulspice Rouge from Bordeaux; Piatelli Premium Malbec from Argentina; Santa Rita Reserve Carmenere from Chile; Kiona Lemberger from Washington, Casa Santos Lima Quinta Das Setencostas from Spain.
The usual caveats: No store will have all of these at a given time, but you can ask for something similar in that price range. Some of these wines will be above the average price, but it should even out. And again, many merchants will give you a 10-percent discount on a mixed case. (In this economy, all of them should, I say.)
4 Responses to "Cheaper by the dozen"
Bradley Crowder of Austin, Texas, pleaded guilty this morning in federal court in Minneapolis to possession of a destructive device during the Republican National Convention last fall.
By James Walsh , Star Tribune
Last update: January 8, 2009 - 10:36 AM
Why can’t your readers comment on this story????????
add the 07 Dr. Loosen into the mix. At $9 bucks a bottle at the Haskell’s sale you cant’t beat it.
Vivir Vivir’s going away, someone bought the last 8 cases yesterday. Call Corey to find out who-they may be unloading it on the cheap.
To Bob- Molotov cocktails don’t count as the type of things people discuss on the drinks page. Try the news section.
Mitch, you are correct as always. The distributor said it is going away “to make room for some other new and
exciting stuff.”
Let’s you and I hold his feet to that fire.
Oh and Erin, right on (pardon the ’60s flashback). Dr. Loosen can do no wrong, best I can tell.
