Amen, now grab that corkscrew: "cheap wine across the board is far superior to what it was 50 years ago".
Good point, and a good read. But. Note to the NYT: West of Europe, and north of California, there’s a helluva lot more good wine for under $10. But you didn’t hear anything from me about Oregon’s Rogue and Willamette valleys. Not a thing.
Who Knew a $10 Bill Had Such a Nice Bouquet? – New York Times
Via: 10 best wines under 10 bucks : Lifehacker.
Page 2 of the article lists the wines, with notes. Being as the NYT archives their articles eventually, the list, sans notes, is reproduced here so that I already have a shopping list handy:
Whites
- Steenberg South Africa Sauvignon Blanc 2004, $8
- Veramonte Casablanca Valley, Chile Sauvignon Blanc 2004, $7
- Domaine Duffour Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne 2003, $7.40
- Bodegas Salentein Mendoza, Argentina Sauvignon Blanc Finca el Portillo 2004, $9
- Bolla Venezie I.G.T Pinot Grigio 2002, $10
Reds
- J. Vidal-Fleury Côtes-du-Rhône 2001, $8
- Domaine Lafond Lirac Roc-Épine 2002, $8
- Bonny Doon California Ca’del Solo Big House Red 2003, $10
- Sumarroca Penedès Tempranillo Barrel-Aged 2002, $10
- Bogle California Old Vine Zinfandel 2003, $9
Impressive Oregon wine under $10? Where are you shopping? Putting quality aside entirely, Oregon wines are overpriced across the board. At least one reason is beyond vintners’ control: the state’s high sin tax. Try this: search for “Oregon” at http://www.wine-searcher.com. There are 1164 hits for U.S. merchants. 6 are under $10.
Market of Choice and Sunrise are my main wine haunts – no, it’s not a massive selection under $10, but I’ve still found good buys under $10. I’ll try to remember to add some next time I think about it.