Last time I posted, I was dissecting frogs – that is, I was analyzing wine “frogs” I bought in the state liquor store in the hope I’d find a few princes. Of the three wines I tasted for my previous post, two were keepers. Now onto the three remaining bottles in my wine rack.
As I’ve mentioned, I’m a bargain hunter. Or, and I’m a little ashamed to admit this, perhaps I’m cheap – not thrifty, which implies saving and sacrifice, but just plain cheap. If you’re like me, and loathe to part with your hard-earned dollars, you can end up with not just frogs, but some real dogs, too. This is something you may want to avoid.
(For the record, I love dogs. Once upon a time, I had a dog. I’m also fond of frogs, especially the green frogs that “twang” like a broken banjo string. So please, if you’re reading this and thinking of calling your local ASPCA, kindly step away from your phone…)
In the wine world, price does not always equate to value. But price does matter. Wine producers that tend their grapes lovingly and invest in their wine cellars tend to charge more than those that don’t. And wine regions generally enjoy good reputations for a reason.
I chose two of my remaining wine purchases because they were certified organic. While I want to support sustainable agriculture of all kinds, I’ve concluded the organic label alone isn’t a good basis for decision-making. I enjoyed the bramble aroma and firm but not overpowering tannin of the 2013 Frey Vineyards Redwood Valley (Mendocino County, CA) Certified Organic Petite Syrah. On the other hand, the 2013 Orleans Hill (California’s Central Valley) Certified Organic Zinfandel was thin and disappointing.
The best of the six bottles was the 2012 Valley of the Moon Sonoma County (California) Pinot Blanc. With its pineapple and honeysuckle aroma, medium-plus acidity, and a rich mouthfeel due to partial aging in French oak, this wine lived up to its recommendation by the store’s wine specialist.
I did OK with my wine choices, but I could have done better. So here are my take-aways:
- Buy organic, but don’t buy organic for its own sake unless you’re vegan. Have another compelling reason to buy an organic wine, such as notable wine region, recommendation, or past experience.
- Seek advice from people in the know. That person could be your local wine store specialist, a well-versed and trusted wine critic, or even your mom (if she knows what she’s talking about).
- Develop a “go-to” list and branch out from there. For example, I love Willamette Valley, Oregon, Pinot Noir. Next time I shop, I’ll look for an organic Pinot Noir from this same wine region.
- Read up before you experiment. Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is out of my price range. I’ve been reading about Chilean cabs as an alternative. After all, parts of central Chile have the same climate as northern California.
- Go to tastings because there’s nothing that beats drinking a lot of wine (on several levels).
- Every so now and then, splurge. Yes, even if you’re cheap like me.