As I wrote in my last piece, “Uncorking
Value: Where to Find Outstanding Wines
Without Breaking the Bank,” truly quality wine can be found for under $35 if
you know where to look. Last time, I
wrote about value wines from well-known regions. This time, we look at a few regions that–while
not unknown by any means – often receive less attention than the quality of
their wines should dictate. Join me as
we look at wines from the Finger Lakes region of New York; Stellenbosch, South
Africa; and Jerez, Spain.
Finger
Lakes, New York:
For any East-Coasters out there regularly
lamenting the distance to get to the great wine regions of the US, it’s
important to remember that New York state is home to one of the great American
wine regions too: The Finger Lakes. The Finger Lakes wine region has a storied
history that goes back well over a century, with records of vineyard plantings
dating back to 1829.
Today the region is home to over 100 wineries
and is producing world class wines. The
region’s most notable grape is Riesling, but other grapes are coming to
prominence too, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir. Despite its quality and recent notoriety, the
region is still often overlooked in favor of the more famed West-Coast
regions. But the lack of awareness among
the wine-buying masses is a great recipe for value, as many producers are
making superb wines that sell for great prices, including Hermann J. Wiemer,
Red Newt Cellars, Hillock & Hobbs, Ravines Wine Cellars, Forge Cellars, and
of course, Dr. Konstantine Frank (the winery eponymously named for—and founded
by—one of the pioneering figures in Finger Lakes wine.
A few of my personal favorites include:
-
Hermann J. Wiemer HJW Vineyard Riesling: This wine can regularly be found for between
$30 and $35, and is consistently well rated by critics. This is a classic Riesling with pronounced
notes of citrus and stone fruits that fade into a nicely complex
minerality.
- Dr.
Konstantin Frank Semi-Dry Riesling: This wine can be found for between $15 and
$20, and I encourage anyone that may sweet-wine phobic to give this a try. Filled with rich tropical and stone fruit
notes followed by zippy acidity, this wine is well balanced and fun.
-
Hosmer Winery Cabernet Franc: If Riesling isn’t your thing (and you should
reevaluate if that’s the case) or you’re in the mood for something red, give
this Cabernet Franc a chance. Found for
between $15 and $20, this fruity and ephemeral red is a great value.
Stellenbosch,
South Africa:
Next up among the world’s value wine regions
is Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Stellenbosch holds a special place in my heart, as it's where my love
affair with wine began. While the
region’s wine history dates back to the 1600s, it received a revitalization and
reinvestment in the late 20th century, after the end of South Africa’s
atrocious apartheid regime and the attendant sanctions that the country faced,
resulting in a region that has an interesting mix of New and Old World
character, along with European and distinctly African influences.
In the last few decades, South Africa has
started exporting truly phenomenal wines, some of which can be found for
fantastic prices. The country produces
classic European varieties such as Cabernet, Chenin Blanc and Syrah, along with
South Africa’s native grape, Pinotage.
Producers to look out for include Warwick, Tokara, Thelema, Simonsig, and
Mulderbosch.
A few of my personal favorites include:
-
Warwick Estate Three Cape Ladies Cape Blend: This wine can be found between $21 and
$27. Medium-bodied and classic on the
palate, with black fruits and spice, this is a well-balanced Bordeaux blend at
a fraction of Bordeaux prices.
Bonus tip: For something even cheaper, don’t
be afraid of Warwick’s First Lady Cabernet Sauvignon, which can be found for
$12 to $18 dollars and is an eminently drinkable Cabernet to pop open with pizza
on a Tuesday.
- Raats
Old Vine Chenin Blanc: Found for between $23 and $28, this is a fresh
and zippy Chenin Blanc with a savory touch and just a bit of that classic
Chenin funk.
-
Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage: Pinotage can be a difficult
grape to work with, as it lends itself to being overly hot and taking on burnt
rubber aromas when done poorly. Done
right, however, it can be a satisfying and unique wine. Few producers do it better than Kanonkop,
where the vigor of Pinotage is matched with well-balanced oak, fruit, and
depth.
Jerez,
Spain:
The final region to cover in this second
installment of Uncorking Value is Jerez, Spain – home to a plethora of fantastic
and fantastically priced Sherries. For
those uninitiated into the cult of Sherry, it is a wine that can be made in a
variety of styles, from bone dry to decadently sweet, from nutty and oxidative
to yeasty and fresh – all of which are delicious when done well. That said, Sherry is unlike many other wines
and has a much more savory – yet still refreshing–quality, which can take some by
surprise. But take the time to learn and
appreciate Sherry and you will be duly rewarded with complex and fascinating
wines that can be had for stellar prices.
Some producers to look out for include Bodegas Hildalgo, Barbadillo, La
Guita, Valdespino, Lustau, and El Maestro.
A few of my favorites include:
-
Bodegas Hidalgo, "La Gitana" Manzanilla: Bodegas Hidalgo’s La Gitana is an iconic
Manzanilla and at $16 for a 500ml bottle, it represents a phenomenal
value. Notes of almonds, sea spray, and
lemon yield an easy-drinking and complex wine.
-
Barbadillo Solear Manzanilla en Rama 'Saca de Verano': Found for around $23 for a 375ml
bottle (Sherry is commonly sold in smaller formats), this sherry has a lovely
almond nuttiness that gives way to a zesty refreshing finish.
-
Lustau Solera Los Arcos Dry Amontillado Sherry: Key to
Amontillado sherries is that they see both non-oxidative and oxidative aging,
allowing a unique and complex medley of flavors and aromas to form. This particular wine shows dried fruit, caramel,
and nuts, yet stays fresh with a touch of citrus and seaspray.
There is a treasure trove of high-quality,
reasonably priced wines to discover for those willing to do a little
exploring. Jerez, Stellenbosch, and the
Finger Lakes are three great examples, but many more remain. So, stay tuned for more installments of
Uncorking Value in the future!