Italian Beer Tasting and Stump Jump Wine Tasting

By Greg B. So I traveled down to the Perfect Pour to check out an Italian beer tasting, once again bringing my labmates with me.  In this post, I’ll start with the beers, then move onto the wines.  Why, you ask?  Because I left any real good reliable note-taking material in the lab, so my notes are scattered and extremely illegible, even by my standards.  So here we go, Italian Beers! Read more

Tasting Report: Good Values From Sicily- The Wines of Sicilian Producer Tasca d’ Almerita

Sicily is well known for its sweet Marsala wines, which make up a majority of the wine produced in the DOC wine region. But in recent years, there has been a surge towards producing quality red and white table wines as the global demand for quality wines increases. Read more

Tasting Report: Good wines and great QPRs from Chilean producer Vina Ventisquero (Chile)

Chilean wines are quickly becoming some of the best QPR (quality-to-price) wines in the market today. From Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet, to the more rare Carmemere, the Chilean wine industry is setting the bar high when it comes to wines that bring big bang for their buck. (click here for more on Chilean wines)

I was recently invited to lunch with Felipe Tosso, head winemaker at up and coming producer Vina Ventisquero. In our two hour lunch I developed an understanding of his style and a respect for his experience and passion, as well as for his commitment to maintain eco-friendly wines. (image from www.intlwine.com/southamerica.htm) Read more

Friday Wine Roundup: Best QPR (Quality to Price) Wines This Week- June 20, 2008

QPR is a measure of a wines Quality to Price Ratio. QPR is used to determine whether or not a wine is worth its price. Each Friday I put up a list of wines that I have recently tasted, that I feel offer great “bang for their buck.” With gas at $4.00 a gallon or more, it’s good to know that you can continue to enjoy great wines even when the budget tightens up. The wines listed here are wines that I feel offer you, the consumer, a great wine that is both well priced, and succeeds at providing a great wine experience. I try to introduce new grape varieties or wine regions to keep things interesting and recommend keeping an eye out for these good QPR’s next time you’re out wine shopping. Most, if not all are available throughout Baltimore. Read more

20 Great Value Wines: How to drink good wine when gas is $5.00 a gallon or more

The current economy has most of us cutting back on non-essentials, driving less, and trying to find ways to save a few bucks. Below is a list of wines that you can afford by cutting back on two gallons of gas or less (most are under $10!). For specific recommendations on wines, wine regions, wine pairings, or anything related to value wines, leave a comment. Have a favorite wine under $10 that I missed? Let us know about it! (Image: WINE AND MONEY© Kvkirillov | Dreamstime.com)

Here are my top picks for value wines, producers, and wine regions. Keep in mind that an 85 is a “Very Good” wine and shouldn’t be overlooked. Too often reviewers and magazines want you to think that only 90 point wines are worth drinking…this isn’t the case and can become quite expensive! An 85 point wine is a wine that I consider to be very good, and would buy again.

Keep an eye out for my report next week on the best wineries and wine regions when it comes to quality and value!

Twenty Great Value Wines: (Click here to download this as a shopping list in PDF Form)

Sparkling

N.V. Riondo Prosecco Veneto IGT -$12 (Italy, Veneto, Veneto IGT): Sealed with a traditional cork requiring a cork-screw. A little sweet, hint of yeast, a little fruity, not a lot of fizz but quite refreshing. Overall good appertif, nice flavors. My rating: 87 pts, GV (Good Value)

N.V. Roederer Estate Brut -$21 (USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley): This is the most expensive wine I put on the list, with all the others being $12 or less. But for the price, you get good value here. Apples and citrus on the palate, a very crisp wine with subtle nuttiness and caramel. Nice finish- a great bottle of a special dinner on a budget. My rating: 89 pts, GV Read more

Friday Wine Roundup: Best QPR (Quality to Price) Wines This Week- June 6, 2008

QPR is a measure of a wines Quality to Price Ratio. QPR is used to determine whether or not a wine is worth its price. Keep in mind, a good wine that is $10 may be an outstanding QPR, while a good wine that is $40, may be poor. Each Friday I put up a list of 5 wines that I’ve had recently that offer great “bang for their buck.” With gas at $4.00 a gallon or more, it’s good to know that you can continue to enjoy great wines even when the budget tightens up. The wines listed here are wines that I feel offer you, the consumer, a great wine that is both well priced, and succeeds at providing a great wine experience. I try to introduce new grape varieties or wine regions to keep things interesting and recommend keeping an eye out for these good QPR’s next time you’re out wine shopping.

Sparkling:
NV Freixenet Brut Cava “Cordon Negro” -$10: I’ve said it many times before: Cava is a great value wine and can be very good. Cava of course is the sparkling wine of Spain, more specifically the Catalonia region. Though not as complex or elegant as their French counterparts (Champagne), sparkling wines from Cava tend to be very clean tasting and provide among other things apple and citrus notes. Popping the cork on a bottle of good Cava (especially for $10) is a great way to begin any weekend (or weeknight for that matter!). This Freixenet Brut is no exception. It’s crisp, has notes of grapefruit and honey and has a refreshing finish that is sure to cool you off on a warm day or night. My rating: 86 pts, GV (Good value) Read more

Friday Wine Roundup: Best QPR Wines This Week- May 30, 2008

QPR is a measure of a wines Quality to Price Ratio. It’s a basic question of: how good the wine is for its price? Below are my top picks for this week. Keep in mind, a good wine that is $10 may be an outstanding QPR, while a good wine that is $34, may be poor. The wines listed here are wines that I feel offer you, the consumer, a great wine that is both well priced, and succeeds at providing a great wine experience. Keep an eye out for these good QPR’s next time your out wine shopping. Read more

Friday Roundup May 23, 2008: 5 Best QPR Wines of the Week (with Memorial Day in mind!)

QPR is a measure of a wines Quality to Price Ratio. It’s a basic question of: how good the wine is for its price? Below are my top picks for this week. Keep in mind, a good wine that is $10 may be an outstanding QPR, while a good wine that is $34, may be poor. The wines listed here are wines that I feel offer you, the consumer, a great wine that is both well priced, and succeeds at providing a great wine experience. Keep an eye out for these good QPR’s this Memorial Day weekend and you’ll be sure to impress your fellow wine-drinking friends and be the talk of any barbecue! Read more

Friday Roundup May 16, 2008: 5 Best QPR Wines of the Week

QPR is a measure of a wines Quality to Price Ratio. It’s a basic question of: how good the wine is for its price? Below are my top picks for this week. Keep in mind, a good wine that is $10 may be an outstanding QPR, while a good wine that is $34, may be poor. The wines listed here are wines that I feel offer you, the consumer, a great wine that is both well priced, and succeeds at providing a great wine experience.

Champagne/Sparkling Wines
N.V. Diebolt-Vallois Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs -$34: Light mineral notes, yeast, grapefruit, light nuttiness that is enjoyable. Great QPR Champange. My rating: 89 pts, Good Value (GV)

White Wines
2006 Santa Julia Torrontés - $10: Light, crisp, lots of tropical fruits, grapefruit, apple, with floral notes. Great value, perfect for the spring barbecue or a warm summer night.  My rating: 88 pts, Outstanding Value (OV)

Red Wines
2006 Viña Santa Rita Carménère Reserva Santa Rita - $10: Rich ripe, dark fruits with mild spice notes, vanilla and toasted oak. Elegant tannins with a bit of heat but overall an outstanding QPR and very fine wine. Went great with Pizza! My rating: 88 pts, OV

2005 Ferraton Pere & Fils Crozes-Hermitage La Matinière - $17: Mineral notes, mouthful of spice, green pepper, cherry, dark raspberry. Pretty nice balance and structure, red fruits showing up near the finish (which is quite nice, albeit reserved). Overall great value, perfect introductory wine for people looking to try a Syrah-based Rhone wine. My rating: 89 pts, Very Good Value (VGV)

2005 Domaine Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône Reserve - $12: Nose: Sweet notes, cherry, laffy-taffy, herb and earth notes. Sour cherry, raspberry, spice, medium tannins, lots of razor sharp acidity. Purchased for $10- very good value. My rating: 89 pts, OV