Wine Information

Wine recommendations?

I am trying to stock my wine cellar and am interested in hearing any recommendations. I particularly like red wine, especially australian and south american blends. One of my favorites is Penfolds Cabernet Shiraz. I am not fundamentally opposed to whites. I am fond of Muscato (sp?) and Pinot Grigio. I am trying to keep the price under $30 so that i can buy a good quantity of wine. Willing to spend more for a bottle that can't be missed.

Public Comments

1. I just have to say you are overlooking the obvious: California. Anyway, there is a bottling by Penfolds, "Bin 25" or something like that, Cabernet, that is very good. Sorry I can't remember the specifics. I think the person who let me have a taste told me it was available at Costco. About $22 I think. But you really should buy CA.
2. There are a number of good Australian Shiraz wines available at Sams Clubs for under $30. Penfolds Thomas Harding Shiraz comes to mind, as does a disturbingly inexpensive Shiraz, Yellow Tail. Yellow Tail is meant to be consumed now, the Penfolds will celler nicely for three to five years. Muscats tend to be sweet and musky. Good taste, but terrible hangovers, as they go down very easily. Pinot Grigio- a variety I have had occassionaly- grassy, a bit dry, and not to my liking. No recommendations here. Try a Jinderlee Shiraz, if you can find it, and Brother in Arms, another prime Australian Shiraz, from Langhorne Creek region in South Australia. In the under $10 class, there is a decent shiraz called Moon Dog. Avoid a shiraz called "Ghost Gum" - it has all the virue of vomitus in a glass... As to blends, I have no knowledge of them, as there are too many good Shiraz out there to waste time on the blends (personal preference and bias, of course) I have been trying to learn about Australian wines for years, and they keep producing them faster than I can drink them... While I have had an occassional bottle that was over $30, I must state that I have not had one that was worth the money... That does not mean they are not out there, just that I have not found one. Again, there are plenty of good Australian Shiraz wines for under $30 a bottle.
3. If you like red wines from California you could try Robert Mondavi and Sterling Napa Valley wines.
4. American wines are very good. They compete with wines from other countries all the time. If you like sweet wines.... I would go with a Fredonia, or a Merlot flavored with berries like raspberry or blackberry. If you like dry wines.... Baco Noir is one of my favorites. I found one at Forks of Cheat winery in Morgantown West Virginia. Super yum-o. Amish country wines are a good choice too. But only if you live near any Amish farms and wineries. lol There is one near me that sells a fantastic red that the gals at the store call the "back porch wine". It's prefect for sitting outside and watching the fire flies dance around. Any wine that you find you like, is the best choice for your wine cellar. Sample wines whenever possible. It's the only way to find just the right one for you.