A Buyers Guide for the 
Last Minute Wine Gift Giver
I am constantly amazed by the wine writers both local, in the “Times” and even in The Wine Spectator who seem to know something about wine but don’t have the writing skills, logic or energy to transfer information of any real value to the reader. What good is it to recommend wines that are not available or in such limited supply that it would take a week to and $10 worth of gas (even at 99 cents a gallon).  

The information offered on this page will be organized in a simple to understand manner that will help you choose the price and style of wine that you want to buy. It will be fairly priced and available now and at a store in the neighborhood.

We categorize red and white wines by price points and style so that all you have to do is decide how much money you want to spend and pick out the wine from there. We did a comprehensive review of Champagne last issue but we will reprise it here quickly.  

White Wines

When one talks about white wines the word Chardonnay jumps out. There has been so much planting of this grape in California that there are tremendous values in all price ranges. More white wine drinkers are also turning to Sauvignon Blanc for a different flavor and perhaps better value. Voignier and Reisling are also worth considering but a lot harder to find.

White Wines Under $10

Perhaps the best wine values come from Columbia Crest in Washington. Look for either Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc in this category ($7-$10). Australia is now making wonderful Chardonnay and good Sauvignon Blanc and the names to look for and find easily are Rosemount, Lindemans, Penfold and Wolf Blass. All of the above have good quality bottles at well under $10- in some cases as low as $6 and are in good supply.

If you are truly serious about Sauvignon Blanc and you should be, then put in a little more effort and seek out any New Zealand product preferably from the Marlborough valley. They are currently among the best wine values in the world and Sauvignon Blanc may go better with most food than low end Chardonnay.

White Wines Under $20

This is the area in which the Chardonnay selection opens up and is ripe for serious gift giving. Kendall-Jackson is the big name here and on occasion his Vintners Reserve low end wine can even be found for under $10. Also look for other Kendall Jackson in the $18 category. Hess Selection, Beringer, Estancia and Meridian are also an excellent choice around $13 or less. Also consider trading up to the better wines from the Australian Penfolds and Rosemount labels.

 

White Wines Under $30

This area widens your choices and offers some great values. Hess Collection, Landmark and Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay are very sophisticated choices. Again Kendall Jackson Monterey Great Estates 99 Chardonnay is highly rated. The very popular Chalone 99 should also be able to be found at this price.

White Wines Over $30

At this point you should go to your local wine merchant. The range is very wide and he will take you in the right direction because it is to his advantage to prove that his knowledge has value and you will come back. Names he might suggest are a $30+Beringer, Chateau St. John and Chateau Montelena. 

You should stay away from Grgich Hill and Far Niente which were very popular but may now be living on their past. The two big names in Chardonnay right now are Kistler ($50 and up) and Marcassin ($80). This is a lot of money but these wines are better than most of the highly hyped French Puligny Montrachets that are foisted on this country at similar prices and often are close to undrinkable.  

Red Wines

You will be in for some surprises when you look at the choices for red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon still reigns but it is hard to find much worth while in the low end. Emerging Pinot Noir and Zinfandel are better choices and Shiraz from Australia has become an excellent choice. Unbelievably, French wines from areas other than Bordeaux and Burgundy are remarkable values in the low and mid range and make great gifts because they bring the French imported aura with them. At the upper level Italian wines may now be the best values in the world.

Red Wines Under $10 

You will find almost no domestic Cabs available at this price. If you want a domestic red consider Falling Leaf or Gallo Sonoma Pinot Noir. Many sophisticated wine drinkers are beginning to prefer Pinot Noir for good reasons among which are that they are a red that goes better with the lighter food now being eaten. Again don’t over look Australia. The same labels from above offer wonderful Shiraz and Shiraz Cab blends for under $10. If you must have a Cab look for Maddalena at $9 but it might be hard to find. Kendall Jackson has a terrific red under $10 called Collage. It is a Shiraz blend and is widely available.

George Duboeuf is the Mondavi of France and his Beaujolais Village, a step up from straight Beaujolais can be found for around $8. Also from France are some wonderful Cotes du Rhone from the Rhone Valley just below where the expensive Burgundies are produced. My choice is Perrin Reserve 98 or 99 and it is in wide supply. But there are others.

Red Wines Under $20

A Pinot Noir worth buying is Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Cabs that might be available are Stonehedge and Guenoc. But this is an area where Zinfandels shine. You can get some wonderfully flavored Zinfandels from Three R prestige producers such as Renwood, Ridge and Rosenblum. However my favorite in this category is a masculine and hearty Beaujolais, again from Duboeuf, Moulin a Vent. It is about $15 and is wonderful. For those ladies that like Merlot consider Duboeuf Fleurie. There is no comparison. Also look for some Rhone Valley 98s or 99s in this price category. Paul Coulon and Fils Villages Beauregard 99 is an excellent wine.   

 

Red Wines Under $30

Again, this is where the choices for Cabernets and Pinot Noirs open up. Big names like Beringer, Raymond, Freemark Abbey, and St. Supery. St Clement and Rutherford Hill are all good choices.

But…. In this price category unbelievably there is a plethora of great and romantic Chateauneuf du Pape, again from the Rhone valley. The 98s and 99s have been vintages of the Decade. Look for Chateau Mont- Redon or Guigal, If your friend likes Italian wines, you are in the category of fine Chianti such as Ruffino Riserva Ducale +Gold Label reserve or Antinori Reserve. 


Red Wines Over $30

Again you should start talking to an independent wine merchant. The range is wide here and there are good values being offered right now by distributors with too much inventory in this category. Your merchant will know. Again names to look for are Beaulieu, Beringer, Kendall Jackson, Kenwood and St. Clement. Crazily, you can buy super cult wines with names like Screaming Eagle and Bryant for $125 and up. Opus and Mondavi Premium Reserve both originally priced at over $100 are now available for less but may not be worth it.

Champagne

Under $10- Cristalino and Korbel

Under $20 – Pacific Echo- Gloria Ferrer and especially Roederer Estate Brut

Under $30 – Taittinger Francaise

Over $30 Avoid Dom Perignon and even Veuve Cliquot Grande Dame although both have dropped dramatically in price. They dropped because they rate below many Champagnes selling for ˝ their price. Look for Drappier, Heidseck, Laurent Perrier and Feuilatte