THE BEST BOTTLES by WINEFINDER

THE BEST BOTTLES
  

BY
WINEFINDER 

 

There are so many wine blogs presenting an overload of information to wine loving consumers. 
HOW DOES THE EVERYDAY SHOPPER FIND GREAT WINES? ARE YOU ONE OF THE MANY WINE BUYERS WHO HAVE NO INTEREST IN BECOMING AN EXPERT, DOING ANY EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, TO FIND OUT WHAT’S GOOD, REASONABLE IN COST, WITHOUT SPENDING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME IN THE PROCESS? When I decided to start a new blog theBestBottles, (“TBB”), I wanted to assist the everyday shopper who isn’t interested in knowing everything about wine. I have consistently heard from consumers “I just want to buy a great tasting wine for the lowest price possible at convenient locations”.  My experience as a retailer and wine bar operator focused on taking the mystery out of selecting wine and making it enjoyable and satisfying.  The following addresses this issue and other issues as my initial opening blog. I welcome comments from those who fit in this category of consumers and those who have a more extensive wine knowledge. The following, in my opinion, applies to many consumers even if they do not admit the same.

I HAVE FOUND MANY WINE BUYERS CHOOSE A WINE FOR THE LOOK OF THE LABEL, LOWEST COST, FAMILIARITY WITH THE VARIETAL, WHATS STACKED HIGH AT YOUR WINE STORE OR A COMBINATION OF THESE FACTORS. 

HOW CAN TBB MAKE YOUR WINE SELECTION EASY, FUN AND SUCCESSFUL?  TBB’s GOAL IS TO BECOME YOUR PERSONAL SHOPPER OR GUIDE TO HELP YOU SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE THE SELECTION OF GOOD TASTING WINES AT A COST THAT FITS YOUR DESIRED PRICE RANGE.  I CALL THIS THE TASTE/VALUE RATIO.  

The Best Bottles (TBB) creates a dialogue and guide for you to choose The Best Bottles of wine.  For most of us wine buying is challenging; mystifying, time consuming, a gamble or shot in the dark. Occasionally it is fun and rewarding.  Unfortunately we do not experience the latter as often as we would like.  The gamble is to choose a wine that has great taste and falls within the cost range of $5 to $20. This is like beating the house in Las Vegas which does not happen frequently enough.
A majority of the time we purchase wine that fits our taste profile and cost range based on trial and failure.  When success is achieved on a particular wine it is fleeting because that successful pick/vintage has a limited supply based on the yearly production.  Taste will change in most instances from year to year due to the growing climate.   The trial and failure or success of choosing the right wine for you is a continuing process which is time consuming and expensive. 

WineFinder has been in the wine retail and wine bar business for the last 10 years.  I have been a collector of wines for 30+ years.  My experience has consistently demonstrated that the consumer searches for the best tasting wine for the lowest cost – Taste/ Value Ratio. Purchase a wine for $5-$7 and expect a taste equivalent to a $10-$15 bottle. This Taste /Value Ratio applies to most wine consumers in the $5 to $20 price range.  Can a $15 bottle of wine taste like a $25-$30 bottle of wine? In most cases it’s the gamble with the success if the consumer is permitted to taste before they purchase, which increases the odds in their favor. However, most retail outlets do not permit the taste before you buy platform.  A significant amount of wines are purchased by consumers at the following retail outlets:
 

A. National/Regional Grocery chains

B.  Costco - National presence

C.  National /Regional wine stores such as Total Wine or Total Beverage

In the southeast (Atlanta) where I live the following retail wine outlets represent a large portion of the market share of wine sales.
 

A. Kroger

B.  Publix

C.  Whole Foods

D. Costco

E.  Total Wine

The reason for the above dominant retail sales are as follows:

Why- Convenience due to the purchase of other weekly essentials at groceries & Costco and Total Wine has 58 sites with the largest selection of wines compared to most other wine retail outlets.
 

Where- Strategically located in many of the major metro areas covering the wine consumers’ demographic.
 

Cost- National buying power to purchase at lower costs from wholesalers and/or sell at lower margins than traditional retail outlets due to its other items offered for sale.
 

The challenge and question you should ask yourself – HOW DO I KNOW WHICH WINE WILL MEET MY SUCCESS CRITERIA AND MINIMIZE MY TRIAL AND  FAILURE GAMBLE?  The goal of TBB is for WineFinder to select a minimum of 6 wines offered at each of the above southeastern sites that fit the Taste/Value Ratio, (many of the selected wines will be offered nationally).  I will revisit the wine selection every 30 days for each site and update new and exciting choices.  The price range of the wines will be $5 to $20 covering varietals from light body white wines to full body reds.  The term BODY in the Taste description refers to the weight of the wine on your tongue.  An analogy of skim milk (light body) or a milk shake (full body) demonstrates how body will affect the flavor and taste profile you experience. I would suggest opening the red wines at least ½ hour before drinking. From time to time I will notify you of other special wines offered which might exceed the $20 ceiling. I hope you will respond to me with successful finds on your part. My initial selections follow: 

LABEL   VARIETAL   VINTAGE   REGION   TASTE      PRICE

               Kroger (Long Island and Sandy Springs)
                   

Marquis Phillip Cabernet Sauvignon    2007   SE Australia   full body red      $15.98*

Faustino Reserve Rioja                          2006         Spain              full body red      $17.98

Ruffino  Lumina Pinot Grigio    2008     Italy             Light body white                  $8.98

Side Yard Cabernet Sauvignon    2008       California          medium body red         $8.99

Frei Brothers Cab Sauvignon Res   2007   Alexander Valley Ca.    full body red $19.98*

Mark West Pinot Noir   2008       Sonoma Calif.           Light body red                  $11.98*

*WineFinder believes these are of the highest in Taste Value Ratio wines

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            Publix (Chastain and Vinings Store)

Terrazas Malbec     2008           Mendoza Argentina            full body red             $11.49

Ruffino sangiovese,merlot,syrah      2007       Tuscany       medium body red  $13.98*

Frei Brothers Reserve Merlot   2007 Dry Creek Valley Ca medium body red  $18.99*

Seven Daughters of vintners blend   2008   California      medium body red            $12.99

La Crema Pinot Noir  2008       Sonoma Coast Ca.               light body white       $19.99

Edna Valley Chardonnay        2008  Paragon  California    full body white         $13.50

*WineFinder believes these are of the highest in Taste Value Ratio wines

              _________________________________________________________________

           Whole Foods (Buckhead and Sandy Springs)

Peter Lehman Clancy’s  Shiraz/Cab/Merlot 2005 Barossa Valley  full body red $18.99*

Astica Malbec                   2008             Mendoza Argentina      full body red    $7.99

Walnut Block   Sauvignon Blanc           Marlborough NZ        light body white   $11.99*

FoxGlove  Chardonnay    2008     Central Coast Ca.         full body white            $16.99

Morande Carmenere’ Reserva      2007      Chile             full body red           $12.98

Villa San Julliete  Cab Sauvignon  2007  Paso Robles Ca.  full body red       $15.98*

* WineFinder believes these are of the highest Taste/Value Wines

_________________________________________________________________
   Costco

Pillar Box Red shiraz, cabernet merlot   2006    Australia    full body red           $9.89*

Banfi Chianti Reserva (sangiovese)         2006      Italy   medium body red     $16.99*

Monte Antico sangiovese, cabernet, merlot  2006 Tuscany  full body red            $8.99*

Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon  2007  Colchagua Valley Chille  full body red $17.59*

Peter Lehman Shiraz    2007   Barossa Valley Australia   full body red                $13.99*

Privada Meritage (malbec/merlot/cab)  Mendoza Argentina   full body red     $19.99*

Tolosa Chardonnay (non oaked)  2007  Edna Valley Ca.  medium body white $14.89*

Buchaine Chardonnay  Estate    2007     Napa Valley Ca.   full body white      $16.99*

  

*WineFinder believes all of the Costco selections are of the highest Taste/Value Ratio

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                                              Total Wine

Villa San Juliette Petite Syrah  2007   Paso Robles California  full body red         $15.99

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier  2008  Napa Valley light body white        $10.99

Angeline Pinot Noir        2008    Russian River Ca            light body red      $14.99*

Flichman Tupungato cab/malbec/merlot 2006  Mendoza Arg full body red    $15.99*

Marquis Phillip Shiraz            2007          SE Australia          full body red      $15.98*

Terlato Chaputier Shiraz/Viognier 2008 Victoria Australia medium body red    $22.99**

Courtney Benham Cabernet Sauvignon  2007  Napa Valley  full body red           $19.99*

* WineFinder believes these are of the highest Taste/Value Wines

**WineFinder is aware this wine exceeds the $20 ceiling however peak ofTaste/Value Ratio

     _________________________________________________________________________

THE GRAPE WINE BARS and RETAIL

For those followers of TBB, who have more time to search for the Success criteria, I would advise spending some very rewarding time at The Grape retail and wine bar sites in Atlanta and their other locations. The Grape offers complimentary taste before you buy on a substantial majority of wines offered at retail which increases the odds of success. Their staff is well versed in wines and many of the wines fit within the $7 to $20 price range.  The Grape also has a unique program of Wine Discovery which selects 3 to 4 wines every month to taste in flights and take home for your pleasure.  I was the founder of The Grape and I have retired from any active role in The Grape operations however still strongly support the concept.

TBB will be easy access by applications from IPhones, Google, Blackberry, Facebook, TBB Blog and several other social media connections.  For TBB to be successful  I welcome and encourage your comments, wine selections, additional retail outlets and opinions that promote our finding great wines that fit the Taste/ Value Ratio. Knowledge does not begin and end with the WineFinder. Your participation in assisting me  will be greatly appreciated.  TBB will expand to other metro areas in the near future with wine selections for that specific metro area or geographic region, however in many instances the wines placed in the national or regional chains will be present in your area. 

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