Some Fine Wines for $10 and Under
The result is "rich yet supple" says Dominique Noel, wine buyer at PJ Wine in New York City, with "ripe cherry fruit and hints of leather and tobacco." It pairs wonderfully with hearty dishes, such as roast loin of pork or leg of lamb.
www.pjwine.com
2005 Fondreche O'Sud
Rhone, France. $10
From France's unheralded Côtes du Ventoux appellation in the Southern Rhone valley, this blend of Grenache and Syrah grapes is "just plain delicious," says Phil Bernstein, wine buyer at MacArthur Beverages in Washington, D.C.
Unlike oak-aged wines, winemaker Sebastien Vincenti (formerly of Châteauneuf-du-Pape) creates this one entirely in a stainless steel tank, "which keeps the nose and fruit fresh," including hints of ripe cherries and a faint taste of anise. Bernstein kindly credits his pick to wine merchant Robert Kacher, "who has a knack for finding great French wines that sell for a song."
www.bassins.com
Domaine de l'Ecu 2004 "Expression de Orthogneiss" Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie
Loire Valley, France. $10
As the organic food craze has gained speed, so has interest in organic wines like this "stony, minerally" white, says Robin Garr, editor of the Wine Lover's Page.
In classic Muscadet fashion, it's aged "on the lees," leaving residual dead yeast in the bottle and giving it a slight spritz. Its natural companion is fresh oysters on the half shell, but it goes mighty well with just about all forms of seafood and fish. Prices for Muscadet have been on the upswing recently, but you can still find this one on sale at www.wineanthology.com.
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