Although we agree with Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson that when it’s great, “wine is bottled poetry,” on a typical weeknight most of us are not expecting a revelation. We’re just hoping for a pleasant end to the day with something that enhances dinner at a price point that’s easy on the wallet.
That’s the mind-set we maintained when researching for this column on under-$15 wines. Besides price, the criteria we used to hone our picks were deliciousness, food friendliness with a range of common weeknight dishes (from simple home-cooked fare to takeout), and availability (no fabulous-but-obscure bottles with very limited production).
It may not be poetry, but it is exactly what we want: a cheap weeknight thrill.
5 BUDGET BUYS
2006 Cartlidge & Browne Chardonnay
CALIFORNIA, $12
Flavors: classic chardonnay with ripe-pear fruitiness and well-balanced oak
Pair with: grilled chicken, fish, pork or shrimp; roast turkey
2005 Cartlidge & Browne Merlot
CALIFORNIA, $12
Flavors: black cherries meet dark chocolate with a hint of cinnamon
Pair with: semisoft cheeses, grilled chicken and meats
2006 Don Miguel Gascon Malbec
ARGENTINA, $12
Flavors: black cherries and blackberries with notes of bitter chocolate and espresso
Pair with: chili, grilled beef, lamb or game, pastas with meat sauce
2006 Columbia Winery Cellarmaster’s Riesling
WASHINGTON, $9
Flavors: ripe peaches and pears with honey notes balanced by crisp acidity
Pair with: spicy Asian or Mexican cuisine, fruit salads, desserts
2005 Rosenblum Cellars Chateau La Paws Cote du Bone Roan
CALIFORNIA, $14
Flavors: black cherries and plums, with smoked-bacon notes
Pair with: chicken, beef, hamburgers, lamb, steaks, pastas with meat sauce
NOTE: PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE. ASK A WINE STORE TO ORDER FOR YOU. OTHER RESOURCES FOR FINDING WINES AT RETAIL INCLUDE WINESEARCHER.COM AND WINEACCESS.COM. [THE WASHINGTON POST]
