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By Jim Peterson
Wine Enthusiast & Instagram Wine Influencer
As someone with a relatively large wine collection (over 600 bottles), and the value of those wines ranging from a low of just over $30 to some valued at $300 or more per bottle, I thought it would be a fun exercise to challenge myself to go to a supermarket and buy six good quality wines without spending over $100. Knowing it is possible to find excellent value in wines that cost under $20, what would my choices be to optimize my chances of really enjoying them? I hope you will indulge me as I take you through my thought process, picking my own brain so to speak, and reveal how I ended up with these six bottles of “value wine” I was convinced I would enjoy.
How did I improve my chances of picking a great value wine?
FIRST PRINCIPLES
There is an old song by The Kinks called “Give the People What They Want.” That is kind of how I feel about value wines – go with what you want, what you like, and what you know you are sure to enjoy.
In that respect the first bottle I chose was an easy selection.
For a few years now I have often remarked that the Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages is one of the best wine values in the entire world. This wine can usually be found in almost any supermarket, and it is often a go-to bottle when I am traveling. Beaujolais wines are made from Gamay grapes, and they are bright, juicy, and fun to taste.
At the start of the pandemic, I found myself constantly opening Beaujolais just to cheer myself up. You can find the 2020 vintage of this Jadot on the shelves right now. I would also note that all the Louis Jadot entry level wines are usually a solid bet on the value side.
After the Jadot I thought it would be prudent to look at the rosé selections and see what under $20 gems I could find there. Stop the presses! Right away I spotted the 2020 Château de Trinquevedel Tavel, which surprisingly was listed at $19.98. Score! In my article on rosé I not only covered Tavel, the Rhône Valley appellation solely devoted to rosé, but I also listed this particular wine in my recommendations. What a find this was. It is imported by Kermit Lynch, and Kermit Lynch wines are known for their quality. Going with a well-known importer or producer is a great fallback.
And that brings me to my next selection, the 2020 Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc. I have a nostalgic attachment to this wine since it was served at my wedding in 1999. That night it paired perfectly with the seafood cakes from Boudro’s on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. This wine is made from Sauvignon Blanc. Fun wine fact: Robert Mondavi coined the term “Fumé Blanc” as a nod to the Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc wines of Pouilly-Fumé. It gave his own Sauvignon Blanc wines some distinctiveness in the marketplace, and many other producers copied it. Ferrari-Carano uses grapes from various sites in Sonoma County with a portion fermented in neutral oak. This use of oak prevents overt tartness on the palate and helps smooth out the wine.
PRO TIP: Three of the easiest criteria for choosing value wines are 1) Country/Region, 2) Producer, and 3) Importer. First, European countries are very strict on both winemaking and labeling, so the labels will indicate exactly what is in the bottle. Fair warning: Labeling can often be misleading on cheap wines. Secondly, good producers can produce good wines at any price point, and a lot of them do. Finally, certain importers are just more trusted – Kermit Lynch, Rosenthal, Jenny & Francois, Terry Theise, and Skurnik Wines are just a few to trust. Shopping by importer is a largely unknown method and it is greatly under-appreciated.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
For my fourth selection I spotted a 2019 Toscana Rosso from one of my favorite Brunello producers, Altesino. I visited Altesino in 2002, bought their 1997 Brunello, and I have been a huge fan ever since. I still have several Altesino Brunello vintages in my cellar. In my article on Tuscan wine, I mentioned that “Rosso” wines from Brunello producers were often great values. I was mainly referring to Rosso di Montalcino wines, but this Toscana Rosso is different because it has 80% Sangiovese with the remaining 20% comprised of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is what I like to call a mini–Super Tuscan, and these can often be intriguing.
Thinking I should try to be somewhat conventional, I decided to add a Chardonnay to the mix. This is where the combination of a known winemaker and French labeling came into play. I once had a private tasting at the Joseph Drouhin cellars in Beaune, France back in 2006. I had been familiar with the Drouhin wines for several years by then. Joseph Drouhin is a very famous (and large) négociant in Burgundy, owning many vineyards while also buying grapes for their wines. Drouhin’s wines range from the value priced to some that are crazy expensive. The 2020 Joseph Drouhin Mâcon-Villages caught my eye; a wine fermented in stainless steel (no oak used) so likely very fresh. There are many nice values to be found in Mâcon-Villages wines as it is one of the lesser-known appellations within Burgundy. Combine that with the Drouhin name on the label and you have a winning combination.
Finally, I decided I would have to do something for the Cabernet Sauvignon lovers out there. The Chilean Los Vascos Cabernet became well known in the late 1990s because the winery is an offshoot of Château Lafite Rothschild, the famous (and very expensive) First Growth Bordeaux. I mean, if Lafite is willing to put their name and reputation on the label how bad can it be, right? I opted for the 2018 Cromas Gran Reserva, their higher priced Cabernet. They do have an under $10 entry level Cabernet, but I could not bring myself to go that far. Hah!
THE BILL COMES DUE
I started this adventure determined to spend less than $100 on six good quality value wines. This grocery store has a 10% 6-bottle discount, which always helps, but my total wine cost (before tax) was still easily under $100. Here are the prices and totals with the discount applied:
2020 Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages, $11.68
2020 Château de Trinquevedel Tavel, $17.98
2020 Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc, $9.88
2019 Altesino Toscana Rosso, $15.29
2020 Joseph Drouhin Mâcon-Villages, $13.48
2018 Los Vascos Cromas Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, $15.15
Total Wine Cost: $83.46 + $6.89 tax = $90.35 spent
Average price per bottle (all-in): $15.05
QUICK TASTING NOTES
Jadot Beaujolais: Just a fun wine to sip on. Bright cherry and raspberry flavors. Fun in a bottle.
Trinquevedel Tavel: Complex and savory. Rich and luxurious. Could easily age. Love this!
Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc: A classic example of Cali Sauvignon Blanc. Fresh, crisp, lemony.
Altesino Toscana Rosso: Black Cherry, plum, with hints of tobacco. Better with Italian food, and better on the second day.
Drouhin Mâcon-Villages: Light floral notes on the nose with minerality. Fresh and light. Also better on the second day.
Los Vascos Cromas: Smoky dark berry aromas with black fruit and a little spice on the palate.
Summary: All of these were easy on the palate and quite enjoyable. Most importantly, if I saw any of these being served at a party, I would not hesitate to pour myself a glass. For a true wine lover, that alone speaks volumes. Wishing you good value hunting!
Follow Jim on Instagram, @tx_wine_pilot, for more wine tips and reviews.
Biography:
Jim Peterson is a retired U.S. Air Force officer who mainly flew the A-10 fighter jet. He has ties to the wine business going back over 20 years and is an avid wine collector. His extensive wine knowledge includes travel to many wine regions while living in Europe, many tastings led by sommeliers and wine professionals, and ongoing personal wine exploration and self-study. He has cultivated a large following on his Instagram account, @tx_wine_pilot, where he tastes and reports on wines from vintage to value. He now works in marketing and resides in San Antonio, Texas.
