weeknight wine

[helenas]

Thanks for all your replies. I succeeded to find a lot of recommended wines, even in my local stores.

Also thanks to Ron, who pointed to the

Wine Lovers Page, where i found the following list of

2002 best QPRs:

http://www.wineloverspage.com/qpr/index.shtml

Since i tried and liked some of their selections, i tend to trust them.

Last night, for example, we had the Taurino 1998 Salice Salentino Rosso, which was excellent and different  

http://www.winebow.com/shortdet.asp?ID=317

[Ron Johnson]

Helena, glad you liked the Wine Lover's Page.  I think that Steve Plotnicki would agree with me that it is a good resource for wine no matter what your level of expertise.  It also generates significantly more traffic than the other wine forums, so I find it more informative.

[Beachfan]

If you like Steve's recommendations, also try Domaine Clavel La Copa Santa (their top end) from southern France (Languedoc?) at discount around $17.  For $10 and under try Falesco Vitiano (I like their Montiano, but that's quadruple the price).  For white's, try Pieropan's Soave single vineyards (such as La Rocca in 98), or Gini (not quite as good, but cheaper).

Back to Reds.  Beaurenard makes a nice Cote du Rhone Rasteau 99 at about $11 discount.

Allegrini Palazzo della Torre in 97 was lovely.  Anyone have the 98 yet (about $14)?

[Beachfan]

If you like Steve's recommendations, also try Domaine Clavel La Copa Santa (their top end) from southern France (Languedoc?) at discount around $17.  For $10 and under try Falesco Vitiano (I like their Montiano, but that's quadruple the price).  For white's, try Pieropan's Soave single vineyards (such as La Rocca in 98), or Gini (not quite as good, but cheaper).

Back to Reds.  Beaurenard makes a nice Cote du Rhone Rasteau 99 at about $11 discount.

Allegrini Palazzo della Torre in 97 was lovely.  Anyone have the 98 yet (about $14)?

[Beachfan]

If you like Steve's recommendations, also try Domaine Clavel La Copa Santa (their top end) from southern France (Languedoc?) at discount around $17.  For $10 and under try Falesco Vitiano (I like their Montiano, but that's quadruple the price).  For white's, try Pieropan's Soave single vineyards (such as La Rocca in 98), or Gini (not quite as good, but cheaper).

Back to Reds.  Beaurenard makes a nice Cote du Rhone Rasteau 99 at about $11 discount.

Allegrini Palazzo della Torre in 97 was lovely.  Anyone have the 98 yet (about $14)?

By the way, I self import another way.  I bring empty wine shippers over and have them filled on the way back.  Usually 3 cases.  If I got stuck paying overweight baggage (a distinct possibility if you don't have high tier frequent flyer status) it would probably cost about as much as the formal import, but I've been lucky the 3 times I did it and didn't pay anything.

Unlike the US, the winery is the cheapest place to buy things in Europe.  Often 20% cheaper than the store in town.  If you hit the right area during the right vintage, it's fabulous.

Steve, do you use one for all over France or does it vary by region.  Recommendations for France and Italy would be appreciated.

[Beachfan]

Apologies for the multiple posts.  When I added more to my reply after posting, it added the whole thing again.