Excellent Wine Need Not -Be Pricey: Here Are Six Examples!

 Points In Relation To Quality/Price 

The 100 point system is an easy one to understand. A wine that scores in the 90's would be deemed better than one that scores in the 80's.  However one item that comes into the equation is "Price".  Would a $200 bottle of wine out class a $12 wine in a tasting of "expert analysts"?  Chances are yes! However, a  neophyte tasting a young Mouton or Petrus might not appreciate it as much as a $12 bottle of  Cabernet-Shiraz from Australia. Points can determine the discernable complexity of a wine but not always the "appreciativeness" of it. When I find a wine that I think that the general public would enjoy and afford, the points go up.

So a $1000 (714 Euro) Mouton Rothschild could score a 98/100 for its 2020 vintage due to its greatness and potential but a simple $12.00 Cabernet-Shiraz in my opinion could score a 94/100 for its immediate appreciative value based on price. Would Mouton be a greater wine---most likely! But---I would gladly buy the Cabernet-Shiraz for its price and immediate value. No brainer!

The following wines are extremely fine both in price and quality.

White 

The Cape Chenin Blanc 2022  Western Cape    South Africa   $16.95        93/100 points 

Colour: Clear, light yellow    

Nose: floral blossom, pear, pineapple, citrus, straw

Palate: light to medium body, integrated, well balanced acidity, super mouth feel, fresh finish

Pairing: light meat, veggie burgers, aperitif, fish

Comments: nice price/quality ratio, party wine, pleasing

Le Colonne Vermentino 2021       Tuscany          Italy          $16.95    94/100 points

Colour: clear, light straw 

Nose: citrus predominates, mango, apple blossom, banana, herbal grass

Palate: medium body, pleasant acidity, nutty finish

Pairing: finger food such as chicken fingers, cold cuts, vegan food, fried calamari, shell fish

Comments: A very versatile white that can be used for many occasions/events. 

LatteMiele Pecorino   2021       Abruzzo      Italy              $13.95       95/100 points

Colour: clear, light yellow

Nose: :fruit, floral, orange peel, citrus, pebble

Palate:  citrus lemon, medium body, great mouth feel, pleasant acid finish

Pairing:  pasta with cream sauce, pasta with mushroom sauce, sea food marinara

Comments: A wine with character and individuality at a great price. 

 Red

Naturalis Shiraz: 2021         South Australia                  $16.95        94/100 points

Colour: dark purple

Nose: dark fruit, (black cherry, blackberry, plum) cinnamon, currant, spice

Palate: medium-full body, velvet smooth mouth feel, pepper spice, anise, long finish

Pairing: roast beef, venison, oxtail, black forest ham

Comments: An organic wine which value far outweighs the price. Keeps evolving in the glass! Good for at least 5 to 7 years aging. Produced by the Angove Family, this totally certified organic wine is also certified vegan. The "Bee" on the label indicates the winery's commitment to the production of wine in association with nature.

The Cape Cab 2020         Western Cape South Africa  $16.95     94/100 points

Colour: dark red

Nose: plum, black cherry, raspberry, currant, cassis, mint, some vanilla wood, chocolate, earth

Palate: medium body, fruity, nice tannin structure, anise on a long finish

Pairing: a food wine for Roast Beef, Grilled Steak, Osso Buco

Comments: ready now but possible age for 5 years plus.

OGGI Sangiovese 2021         Puglia     Italy                 $11.50        96/100 points

Colour: medium red, clear      

Nose: red cherry, strawberry, herbal extract

Palate: medium body, pleasant tannin, fresh acidity, clean cherry finish

Pairing: nice on own but a great grilled food wine with foods such as steak, salmon, veal, chicken, pasta with tomato or even carbonara sauce, burgers, cold cuts.

Comments: enough cannot be said for quality/price ratio of this wine. This wine is a true buy and definitely "A consumer's  daily wine!"