The opportunities to spend a pile of money on a bottle of wine are plentiful and nowhere is this more evident than in our own backyard where we are seeing the price of a bottle of BC wine reach $60 plus.  Nevertheless, with an international wine glut still happening, there is a tremendous opportunity to grab some great valued wines.  However, manoeuvring the array of bottles on a wine shop’s shelf can be a tricky business because the bargains stand shoulder to shoulder with the duds. 

When shopping for wine, plan to spend a little time looking over the choices and becoming familiar with the labels.  Some of the slickest labels hide shabby wines and some of the most unassuming presentations offer surprising delights.  One of the best ways to find a good wine is to ask the store staff their favourite wines and see if their choices match your palate. 

So, what makes a great valued wine?  Everyone has a different concept of this from the easy drinking $10 quaffer to sumptuous and rich $50-$75 wines.  However, the common perception is that the wine has to be cheap to be great value.  Winemaking technology has changed and a $10 wine now delivers a decent wine and the same holds true of the $50 wine.  Although the $50 wine may be expensive, it could very well deliver quality normally found in wines much more expensive, so both categories can be classified as great value.

But basically, you want to find a wine that pleases your palate and your pocketbook and will compliment the food you enjoy.

There are many different varietals from all over the world worth discovering.  Do not be afraid to try out an unfamiliar grape.

If you discover a bottle of wine that has a funny taste, do not feel shy about taking it back.  It may be corked, its taste affected by a faulty cork.  If it has been exposed to air or too warm of storage, it may be “oxidized” or “maderized”, showing a brown tinge and heavy, stale smell.  Retailers often find out about a problem with a shipment because a consumer takes the time to return wine.  You should get your money back with a smile.

However, a wine is not bad just because you do not like it.  In this type of situation, you should just chalk it up to wine education and move on.

Keep in mind when receiving recommendations from friends, wine magazines and even in this blog that wine is very subjective.  What I like may not be your cup-of-tea and visa-versa. 

Here are some of my choices for value wines.

This is a delicious, value-packed red.  The 2009 Terre di Giumara Nero d’Avola ($16) is inky black in colour, it is loaded with buckets of black cherry, raspberry, and blackcurrant aromas with a hint of smoke, licorice, baked earth, dried herbs and chocolate.  The palate is big and fat with powerful black and red fruit flavours, cocoa, spicy black pepper and a good grip of tannin on the finish.  An absolutely blockbuster texture, it has a veritable glass and teeth staining quality.  Allow this wine to breathe for an hour then enjoy with rich tomato sauces, roasted meats or hard cheeses. Could be cellared until the summer.  Buy a case before it’s gone!”

From the east coast of Italy in Abruzzo, the 2010 Tollo Montepulciano D’Abruzzo ($14/L) is a dark ruby red colour with rich, spicy black cherry, raspberry, black plum, chocolate, and tobacco leaf followed by smoke, prune, licorice and graphite.  The spicy oak dominates on the palate but blows off to reveal tasty chocolate and raspberry flavours.  The palate is velvety with soft acidity and ample but approachable tannins.  Great value in a litre size bottle.

California is not really known for value wines unless you’re drinking from one on the bulk, jug brands.  So value has another meaning here; not cheap, below $15 wines but great value for the price.  The 2009 Cameron Hughes Lot 212 Carneros Chardonnay ($24.90) is just such a wine.  The Lot 212 shows a light straw-gold colour with a green tinge, luscious aromas of citrusy lime, pineapple, mango and papaya. The palate is rich and full with gobs of luscious tropical and orchard fruit, honeysuckle, creamery butter and crisp spicy acidity.  The slight hint of nutmeg on the lush finish adds that little extra layer of complexity.  A fantastic example of Chardonnay for those who like the rich, buttery style.

The 2007 Herdade Paço do Conde ($12) is a blend of Aragonez (Tempranillo), Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet (Garnacha Tintorera) and Cabernet Sauvignon. Displaying a rich ruby colour with juicy aromas and flavours of red currant, black cherry, strawberry and leather, the palate is soft and lush with juicy black and red fruit flavours and a medium finish.  A superb bargain and a great match with grilled beef (including hamburgers), roast pork, poultry and vegetable stews.  Exceptional bargains such as this do not come around very often and it is always best to grab as much as possible when they do.  A wine that is meant for immediate consumption, it can also be cellared for fall and winter enjoyment.

Produced in the heart of the Colchagua valley, the 2010 Estación Carménère ($14) has a brilliant ruby colour with aromas of blackberry, cassis, black liquorice, black cherry and chocolate liqueur. Flavours of blackberry, black currant, gobs of black liquorice and hints of cherry kirsch are on the palate with a ripe, pure mouth-filling texture that is absolutely delicious.  The finish exhibits soft acidity, smooth tannins on the finish. Enjoy with garlic-roasted lamb, spicy empanadas or fajitas or simply it on its own.