Shutdown Sips

It's Day Three of the government shutdown.

It absolutely surreal that nearly everything from Head Start programs benefiting young under privileged young children to National Parks and museums have simply been forced to close their doors indefinitely.  Congress can't come to a resolution so everyone, especially those who need it the most, have to deal with the consequences and suffer....

Here in DC, I have a number of friends who are directly and indirectly impacted by the shutdown. Whether it be government employees, hospitality and tourism folks, businesses with government agencies as clients, everyone and everything is feeling the brunt of this treacherous storm.

Earlier this week, restaurants, including Mr. Vino's place, filled the Twitter-verse with generous and heartfelt tweets touting food and drink specials to those impacted by the shutdown.  I thought it was brilliant and it inspired me to put together a quick list of five amazing wines that won't break the budget during these times of uncertainty.  Each of them delicious and under $10...perfect for when your energy for going out wanes and you desire to sip in the comfort of your own home.

Here's to hoping everything resumes back to business as usual...SOON!  CHEERS.

1.  Thorny Rose Sauvignon Blanc, 2011, Marlborough New Zealand 

courtesy bestwineinny.com

This wine is always stocked in our refrigerator and a spectacular everyday Sauvignon Blanc. If you enjoy crisp, fresh, zesty white wines, this one's for you!  It also presents well-balanced flavors that are not too sweet nor too dry in the mouth and in the taste.

While the collection of Thorny Rose's wines are made from varietals grown in Washington state, these stellar Sauvignon Blanc grapes hail from the Marlborough region of gorgeous New Zealand.  It's no wonder it's so delicious...and VERY easy to drink...without food, or with grilled chicken dishes and grilled seafood.

Wine Notes

Bouquet: Fruity, minerals, tart

Taste: Flowery, fresh, crisp, grapefruit flavors

Price: Approximately $9

 

 

 

 

2.  Clos du Bois Chardonnay, Sonoma, California

 

Rich, buttery and full-bodied, this Chardonnay gives you an amazing bang for your buck.  The creamy texture coats your mouth and showcases hints of green apple tartness and the succulent juice of Bosc pears.

The grapes for this elegant, yet affordable, Chardonnay are a combination of the Clos du Bois' estate vineyards, as well as from more than 100 contract growers from the prominent North Coast of California.  This wine pairs beautifully with a fish prepared with a butter base, pasta with creamy sauces, and a variety of chicken dishes.

Wine Notes

Bouquet: Green apple, pear, vanilla

Taste: Buttery, rich, full-bodied

Price: Approximately $10

 

 

3.  Vina los Valles, 2011, Rioja, Spain

 

This is one of my ABSOLUTE favorite Riojas--regardless of price!  It tastes like a rich, expensive wine and bursts with flavors of raspberries, boysenberries, and dried cranberries.  It is full-bodied, structured and jammy with a fresh, long finish.  The taste of the grapes stays in your mouth for long after you've taken a sip.

This ravishing Rioja is made from 90% organic Tempranillo and 10% Grenacha grapes by master winemaker Miguel Angel Rodriguez.  Vina los Valles cellars occupy a total of nearly 62 acres of vineyards in four different zones of Rioja Alta.  All grapes are harvested by hand and sorted again upon arrival at the winery prior to crushing and fermenting.

Wine Notes

Bouquet: Raspberries, boysenberries, dried cranberries

Taste: Same as above; full-bodied, jammy, fresh

 

Finish:  Long

Price: Approximately $9

 

4.  Mark West Pinot Noir, 2009, Sonoma, California



A lighter, but delightful, red that exhibits subtle vanilla tones and fruity components of berries, plums, and jam.  I find this wine to be "gentler" and smoother than the typical spicy and peppery Pinot Noirs.  This is a wine that pairs well with a wide range of foods as it is not over powering or, shall we say, "in your face."  If you like lighter reds or are still a "I prefer white," drinker, this may be a great starter red wine for you.

I find it challenging to find a good quality Pinot Noir for under $20, however, the Mark West name is synonymous with remarkable Pinot Noirs at reasonable, everyday prices.  For almost 40 years, the winery has created a brand around the tagline, "Pinot for the People."  And, thankfully, that means we don't have to dish out a lot of dough for a light, round wine that is an everyday go-to wine. 

 

Wine Notes

Bouquet: Vanilla, berries, plums

Taste: Raspberries, strawberries, jammy

 

Finish:  Little

Price: Approximately $10

 

 

5. Alamos Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

 

I always turn to Argentina when I need an easy, inexpensive wine to pair with everything and an everyone, regardless of their wine "tastes."  The Alamos Malbec is popular at my cocktail parties as its smooth, black cherry and blackberry flavors are a hit with both wine "snobs" and wine-o-phytes alike.  Medium-bodied and well structured with strong tannins, this rich Malbec has hints of chocolate and sweet, savory spices and presents a medium finish.  It's a great choice to accompany snacks, tapas, and hors d'oeuvres. 

The Alamos winery touts itself on making wines "that are as good as wines as twice their price"....I think this wine, at just under $10, has accomplished this incredible feat.  A great value wine with a burst of flavors and all around silky, smooth feel.

Wine Notes
Bouquet:  Black cherry, blackberries, earthy

Taste:  Silky, velvety, chocolate, sweet spices

Finish:  Medium

Price:  $9