A Resolution You Can Keep: Drink More Wine
We did it - we survived the holidays! If you're reading this, you're no longer in your butter soaked food coma and you made it through all those family gatherings without strangling your uncle. Congratulations! It's the new year, time for a fresh start. Maybe you're looking to drop a few more pounds or a few less dollars. I'm here to help and with a resolution you can keep - drink more wine. Hear me out - I know we all overindulged. Since Christmas Eve and Day fell on a weekend, my traditional family visits on the weekends before and after Christmas meant that the holiday lasted over two weeks. I have eaten sausage rice balls with every meal for the past few days. I also celebrated a birthday this month, so there was cake, too. I had my share of salted cured meats, and cookies before breakfast, during lunch, and after dinner has been the norm. I am practically oozing butter and cheese at this point. I need a vegetable that hasn't been dipped in ranch dressing or fruit that wasn't drizzled in caramel.
Yes, a glass of wine will set you back a few calories (approximately 125 per glass), but you're dieting, not dead. A small glass will help you face that mountain of vegetables, plus give you antioxidants. "But where am I going to get the money to restock my cellar? I'm a little embarrassed to go back to the wine shop so soon after buying all the sparkling wine you recommended in your last post. My wine guy will think poorly of me." (Pro tip, no he won't. He's probably lonely in there now that the holiday crowds are gone. Go visit him. It's a great time to get to know your local wine shop.) Enter my list of budget friendly wines. Each wine listed below should run you about $10 per bottle, making this list a great one to remember for parties too when you want to buy a case.
Saget La Perriere "La Petit Perriere" Vin de France Sauvignon Blanc: The Domaine La Perriere Sancerre is an awesome bottle of Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, but it will run you north of $22 per bottle. Enter the "Petit Perriere", where the grapes come from a larger geographic area outside of the Sancerre region. Since this wine doesn't carry "Sancerre" on the label, the wine costs you a fraction of the price. An awesome partner with delicate fish dishes or goat cheese.
Azul Portugal: To the right, this is an example of one of the many labels you will find from this brand. The Azul Portugal series is a great way to be introduced to native white grape varieties such as Arinto and Fernao Pires, and red varieties such as Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro. Those are a mouthful to say and we will go deeper into Portugal in the future, but these wines remain a terrific value. The Dao (right) red makes a fine starting point for red berry and cherry fruit flavors with some spicy/floral notes. If you run into any of the other wines, jump in! You won't be disappointed.
Cono Sur Bicicleta Series (Take your pick...Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Noir): Cono Sur practices organic farming and sustainability in the vineyards. These are bold and fruity wines; Viognier can work well with Thai-style seafood, Chardonnay with a risotto, or the Pinot Noir with a roasted pork tenderloin. Chile also remains a very good value on your local shelves.
Charles Brotte Grand Vallon Vin de France Syrah: This is a very simple way to be introduced to Syrah from France. Charles Brotte is well-known for his wines of the Rhone Valley, but this particular wine sources Syrah from all over southern France. The fresh blackberry and violet aromas and juiciness on the palate make this a great match with a low-fat burger.
Feudi del Duca Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (not pictured): This was a huge hit at the Divine Wine Emporium; we must have run through 30 or 40 cases of a very humble wine. Many Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines at the $10 price point can be astringent and tough on your palate, but I was floored by how fruity this wine was. With red cherry fruit and a little anise and earthiness, this is killer with a red sauce-based pizza or pasta.
Bodegas Atalaya Almansa Laya red blend (not pictured): Spain's most popular red wine in America is Rioja by a mile, but to search for greater value your best bet is to head south to Almansa, where Garnacha and Monastrell grapes rule the vineyards. Garnacha's red berry character and Monastrell's dark berry and plum fruit combine to make a bold, full-bodied wine. If you are looking to try lean game meats like venison or bison, the Laya red blend is a winner.