wine suggestions?

Question

i want to buy a dozen or so bottles of wine for my home bar. i want to spend around $15-30 per bottle, and have a range of different kinds. i like reds better, but it's more for guests. i am pretty ignorant about wine--can anyone recommend their favorites in my price range?

Answer 1

I agree that this is a lot of money to pay for wine... but... if I were going to have a nice selection in that price range I'd say:

Eroica Riesling (Want less expensive? - J. Lohr Bay Mist, Bonny Doon Pacific Rim, Fetzer Valley Oaks or Trimbach)

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (Less? - Nobilo, Casa Lapostolle or Babich)

J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay or Chalone Estate (Less? - Penfold's Rawson's Retreat or Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley)

Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir (Less? - Elk Cove or David Bruce Santa Cruz)

Franciscan Oakville Estate Merlot (Less? - Gallo of Sonoma, Beringer Founders Estate, Fetzer Valley Oaks) (Yes, seriously!)

Estancia Alexander Valley Meritage

Francis Coppola Diamond Series Black Label Claret

Santa Cristina Sangiovese

Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut Champagne (less? - Domaine Chandon Riche Sparkling or Bouvet Brut)

Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio

Hugel Gewurztraminer

D'Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz

Montecillo Rioja Crianza

Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Sauvignon

I threw in a couple of extra bottles because, for the price, they pack an awesome taste into a glass and more expensive wines don't taste any better (even according to professional tasters) so you wouldn't want to be without them. Given the prices you suggested, you still aren't "over budget"

Salut!

Answer 2

Most people select a bottle of wine by the label, which really is not the best way (even though I have done that myself many times.) You're asking a difficult question because wine is a very individual thing. Here's some suggestions for selecting wine:

1. Go wine tasting at wineries. Many allow wine tasting for free. Most will let you have a copy of the list of wines being tasted where you can write notes. Keep track of those you like. Some wines are available only at the winery so if you like some of these, buy them while you're there. You can usually buy wines cheaper at a discount wine shop than at the winery...if they are marketed.

2. Go to a wine shop and ask the assistant. Tell him or her what you like and your price range and they can usually be a big help.

3. You could buy a wine based on its rating. This does not guarantee that you will like it...but at least someone did. Not all wines get rated so you will miss out on many wines if you only buy highly rated wines. Wines rated 90 or above are judged to be excellent. The most well known raters are probably Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast.

Answer 3

Here are my European suggestions for a dozen bottles of wine (six white, six red) in this price range, though the cost may be somewhat higher in the US:
White: Rheingau Riesling 2003; Chablis Grand Cru 2003; Alsace Silvaner 2004
Red: M. de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2001; Barolo 1998 or 2000; St. Emilion Grand Cru 2001

If you'd rather have eight bottles of red and four of white than take four bottles of Rheingau Riesling 2003; four bottles of M. de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2001 and four of the St. Emilion Grand Cru 2001.

Much pleasure.

Answer 4

I wish I knew what country your in, here in australia, I would buy some evans and tate west classic, some goundry unwooded chardonney, some merlots but Id ask the wine store for guidance, and maybe a couple of sweeter wines or sparkling wines for friends who like sweet things
If your not in aus, ur local wine store is always good for advice, or you could even consider a trip of the local wineries if your lucky to have within a few hours drive

Answer 5

I would buy 2 bottles of NV Laurent Perrier champagne ($29.99 each)

2 bottles of Shepard's Ridge Sauvignon Blanc from NZ ($10 each)

2 bottles of Viognier or Chardonnay from Russian River such as Chasseur ($30) if California or Burgundy such as Duet by Louis Latour ($10 each) if European.

1 bottles of Pinor Noir from Oregon's Williamette area. ($20-$30)

1 bottle of 2001 Pomerol (Chateau de Bourgueneuf $25) from Bordeaux

1 bottle of 2001 St. Emillion (Chateau Destieaux $30) from Bordeaux

1 bottle of BV Tapestry from Napa ($30)

1 bottle of 2000 shiraz from the Barossa Valley by Peter Lehman ($25)

1 half bottle of 2000 or 2001 Quarts de Chaume from Loire Valley (Sweet dessert wine)

This should cover every situation.

Answer 6

i admire Robert Mondavi inner maximum decision Merlot. This vinter makes plenty greater costly wine yet i'm unable to arise with the money for it. I provide bottles to my aunt and uncles each Christmas and serve it at a brilliant form of events. Priced between $10 - $15. "Merlot Our Robert Mondavi inner maximum decision Merlot is made with grapes predominantly from California's Monterey County appellation. There, the vineyards take exhilaration in a nightly blanket of cool Pacific Ocean fog, wonderful soils and a protracted transforming into season. This perfect mixture brings shiny flavors and silky tannins to our Merlot alongside with luscious layers of berry, plum and spice with gentle o.ok.nuances from barrel-transforming into previous."

Answer 7

15-30 dollars is a pretty decent amount to pay for abottle of wine
cab/savs from chilli are rather good
shiraz or syrah from australia is awesome
pinot noirs from newzealand are just out of this world
sauvignon blancs from nz or france(sancerre) are wowwweeee

however if you be living in the usa it is a totally different story. they have the napa valley. awsesome chardies, riesling and frightfully good pinot noirs( very selective) next tim e let me know where you are at and i shall advise you accordingly
zen bartender

Answer 8

Faustino number 1. Over here it sells for £15 a bottle. It is a rich red riojca and I really love it!

Answer 9

I prefer red wine

Answer 10

gallo white merlot

corbett canyon white zinfandel

both sweet, not too dry or bitter