Good wine buys: Local pros suggest $10 bottles
Heading down the aisle of a liquor store and looking for a bottle of wine can be exhausting.
You want to try something new, but you've been burned before. It's a Friday, you're due at a friend's house and the clerk is too busy to help you choose something. Help!
We asked some local experts for their picks for a red, white and sparkling wine at $10 or less. A few are pushing that $10 limit at $10.99, but we'll allow that if something is tasty enough.
And just for fun we asked for a splurge.
Here's what our pros suggest.
John Ryan, owner of Ryan's Wines & Spirits
RED: Tololo, Cabernet Sauvignon. $9.99. Ryan says the quality of Chilean reds is "scary, sometimes" for how affordable they are.
WHITE: Cuvee Jean-Paul Gascogne Blanc de Blancs Sec. $9.99.
SPARKLING: Gran Sarao, Brut Cava. $9.99. Cava is a very affordable sparkling wine from Spain. It's a best-seller for young adults ages 21 to 29, Ryan says.
SPLURGE: Punch Vineyards, 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon. $49.99.
Ryan's Wines & Spirits, Independence Mall, 1601 Concord Pike, Wilmington; (302) 655-8466. www.ryanswinesandspirits.com
Vivian Miller, manager of The Right Bottle
RED: Chateau Julien, Merlot. $10.99. A creaminess on the front end and a subtle finish make this a standout for the cost, says Miller.
WHITE: Voga, Moscato. $9.99. Miller says the public is infatuated with this sweet, white wine right now, and this is an affordable option.
SPARKLING: De Perriere, Blanc de Blancs Brut. $9.99. Proseccos are also popular alternatives to champagne, Miller says.
SPLURGE: Steven Kent, 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon. $56.
The Right Bottle, 699 Jimmy Drive, No. 2, Smyrna; (302) 653-6131. www.rightbottle.com
Kevin Teller, owner of Teller Wines
RED: Protocolo, red wine. $7.99. Teller calls this tempernillo from Spain a "full, right flavored wine for the price." He's not the only one. In 2011, this was ranked No. 2 on Wine Enthusiast's list of the 100 best buys of the year.
WHITE: Hemisferio (Miguel Torres), Sauvignon Blanc. $9.99. A fresh, Chilean wine perfect for a back porch on a summer night. Chill and chill out, is Teller's advice.
SPARKLING: Premio, Sangue di Giuda. $10.99. This sweet red sparkler has a rich flavor that goes nicely with dessert, Teller says.
SPLURGE: Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy, Shiraz. $59.99. It has blue and raspberry flavors and is dry on the end, but with silky tannins, Teller says. "It's not just sucking all the moisture out of your mouth."
Teller Wines, 1201A Savannah Road, Lewes; (302) 644-7400. tellerwines.com
Bob Kreston, owner of Kreston's Wine & Spirits
RED: Ocaso, Malbec. $8.99. When they offer this red for tastings, people are always surprised it's so affordable, Kreston says.
WHITE: Pleasures, Chardonnay. $9.99.
SPARKLING: Casa Dora, Cava Brut. $8.99. Kreston says you can opt for this Spanish cava instead of spending a lot for a French or premium California sparkling wine or champagne. It's good for everything from mimosas to host/hostess gifts.
SPLURGE: Chateau Jean de Gue, Lalande de Pomerol. $49.95. This red is from a small area in France's Bordeaux region. Kreston calls it "soft and silky," without that tannic bite that some younger wines can have.
Kreston's Wine & Spirits. Middletown Shopping Center, East Main Street, Middletown; (302) 376-6123. 904 Concord Ave., Wilmington; (302) 652-3792. www.krestonwines.com.