NeroW Needs Your Help

[JPW]

YOu've hit upon my favorite topic. I generally spend <$10 for everyday wine by the case while splurging on some individual bottles for more special occasions (like when I want a bottle of really good vino).

Don't have my notebook on me, but some current faves that have not been mentioned --

The Rhone wines have made a HUGE improvement over the last decade or so. You can find some really sturdy dependable red wines from -- Cotes de Rhone, Costieres de Nimes, Vaqueryas (sp?), etc.

Recent buys from these areas that I have enjoyed are:

Ch. Mas Neuf (Costieres de Nimes)

Rasteau (CdeRhone and a CdeRhone Villages - I like the second better)

IMO the affordable Australian Shiraz's have really gone downhill in the last decade. It seems as if they (esp. Rosemount) have dumbed down their taste to get a larger market share. WHich is a shame because I really loved how peppery they were.

For whites, i too tend to dislike the buttery Chardonnays. Someone already mentioned the Picpoul which is great at $6-7 per bottle.

A fuller white that I like that might be good for NeroW is the Domaine de Pouy (Gascogne?) which I feel is a steal at $7-8.

In the end, remember -- one man's vinegar is another's nectar.

[NeroW]

I think it's time for a Nero drinkblog. How about it?

i don't know if my stomach could take it.

Too bad: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=33206&hl=

[badthings]

Rasteau (CdeRhone and a CdeRhone Villages - I like the second better)

To clarify:

Rasteau is a "Côtes du Rhône Villages suivie du nom de la commune d'origine" (see this page).

This classification theoretically denotes a level of quality in between a -villages wine and a full communal appelation like Gigondas or Vacqueyras.

Unfortunately, Rasteau is no longer as under the radar as it used to be, and it sells for more than $10.