Revisiting Zinfandel... Guest blogger: My mom!!

Old Moon 2010 Old Vines Zinfandel
$5.99@Trader Joe's

Brian sez: I used to drink a bunch of Zinfandel about ten or twelve years ago. I found it to be a good grape for convincing non-wine drinkers or non-red wine drinkers that they liked red wine. I got away from it before too long because a lot of the Zinfandel I was finding in grocery stores were uninteresting to say the least and serious wine shops didn't stock much of it.

Fast forward a decade or so and there I am in Trader Joe's picking up a bottle of Old Moon Zinfandel. Fast forward a couple more nights and I'm grilling some skirt steak, corn, potatoes and squash-- the Zinfandel seemed like a logical choice.

It's nice and wide open with plenty of spice and dark fruit but not a lot of complexity. It fades out quickly but cleanly. This is a fine crowd-pleaser Zin that reminds me of why I loved this grape back in the day.

Julia sez: Pairs well with grilled food.

My mom sez: It was light and smooth. Subtle.

Binary rating: 1

Calling All White Winos...

As all six of our devoted followers know, we are getting married this Fall. Since we are lovers of cheap wine, we have arranged for the reception venue to serve some of our favorite cheap wines with dinner. We have the reds all set, but are still struggling to come up with a couple of white offerings. Wanna help? : )

The ideal cheap white wine should:

1. Cost between $5-10

2. Be a crowd pleaser

3. Pair well with food

4. Be widely available (or at least easily procured in Madison and/or St. Louis)

And since we here at CWC love a good contest, if we select your suggestion, we'll reward you by having you over for dinner and serve your suggested wine... 

Any and all input is welcome... Thanks!!

Pinot Meh

Vintjs Pinot Gris (2010)
$5.99@Trader Joe's

Brian sez: I love Pinot Gris. But not this one. This grape comes from the Willamette Valley, an area known for some great Pinots, but this one just fails to show up. To me, Pinot Gris should be Pinot Grigio's cowboy American cousin but the Vintjs doesn't bring any of the mineral or smoke that I love in a Pinot Gris. Oh well.

Julia sez: Eh. Bland.

Binary rating: 0

Make me sangria...

New Age Torrontes/Sauvignon Blanc  (NV)
$5.99@Woodman's

Brian sez: I needed a wine to make a white sangria. This was cheap and mostly Torrontes, a favorite of mine. Little did I know it was also slightly effervescent. Take 6 tbsp hot water, mix in 1/2 cup sugar and some mint leaves (I used a combination of mint and peppermint) and muddle. Add half a cup of brandy and two bottles of New Age. Chill. Enjoy.

Julia sez: Makes a delicious white sangria.

Binary rating: 1

Green Fin Redux

2009 Green Fin Cabernet Sauvignon
$3.99@Trader Joe's

Brian sez: Utterly unremarkable yet not in any way offensive.  I wouldn't have told you this was a cab, but after reading it on the label, I guess it does have some spice and vague oakiness. A little red fruit as well. If this were any more than $4 I would be disappointed, but this is a perfectly adequate Tuesday night wine.

Julia sez: Tastes great after a couple beers. I bought it for the label and the price. I like cab. Flat bottom.

Binary scale rating: 1

Green light for Green Fin...

2009 Green Fin Table White
$3.99@Trader Joe's

Brian sez: Huh. This is quite good. I wasn't expecting much for the price, but this is a great little summertime bottle of white. Properly chilled, it's refreshing with tart crispness. Kinda tastes like green pears. A little acid and mineral rounds it out.

Julia sez: Perfect for a 40 degree Wisconsin Spring night. Pairs well with tonight's artichoke appetizer.

Binary score: 1