By Bob Lipinski
The search for the perfect wine never ends, and the chance of finding an outstanding bottle for $9.99 keeps enthusiasts intrigued. Along the way, we look for wines suited to a special dinner or easy Saturday afternoon sipping. Still, spending $10 on an unfamiliar bottle can too often lead to disappointment.
After tasting dozens of wines (and spirits for a future article), I found 10 exceptional values that pair well with a multitude of foods and would be a welcome ingredient in many cooking recipes. Here are my recommended wines for you to try.
NV Costa do Sol “Vinho Verde Branco,” DOC, Portugal. Light yellow with a slight fizz. Flavors of tropical fruit, lime, grass, and high acidity. Notes of pears and an abundance of green apple, with a dry finish.
2022 Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio, “DOC Delle Venezie” Italy. Aroma and taste of green apple, melon, nectarine, and pear. Notes of honeysuckle, minerals, tarragon, and lime with a characteristic peanut skin aftertaste.
2023 Fontana Candida “Frascati” DOC, Latium, Italy. Pale straw colored with a clean, fresh, fruity aroma of apples, citrus (lemon), pears, and tropical fruits. Soft and fruity tasting with a dry finish and a lingering, faint almond aftertaste.
2023 El Coto “Blanco” DOC Rioja, Spain. (Blend of Viura, Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc) Dry, clean, crisp, and very floral smelling—fig, peach, and tropical fruit (pineapple). Dry with flavors of grapefruit, pear, and bitter almond.
2024 Kia Ora Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand. (Kia Ora is an expression in the Māori language of New Zealand and simply means “Hello/ Be Well.”) Light yellow with an aroma and taste of citrus, celery, green olive, and herbs. Notes of pear, orange peel, grapefruit, and passion fruit.
2022 Cantina Valle Tritana “Montepulciano d’Abruzzo” DOC, Abruzzo, Italy. Ruby red color with flavors of mulberry, jam, licorice, and plums. Notes of cinnamon, balsamic, dried fruit, violets, and a tart-berry aftertaste.
2022 Natale Verga “Nero d’Avola,” DOC, Sicily, Italy. Dark ruby color; black currant, licorice, prune, bitter chocolate, and jam. Notes of black peppercorn, earth, oregano, smoke, mushrooms, and roasted almonds.
2021 Lindeman’s Shiraz, “Bin 50” South Eastern Australia. Deeply colored with a bouquet and taste of blackberry, plum, dark chocolate, and figs. Notes of black pepper, licorice, and black cherry. Dry with a long aftertaste.
2024 San Telmo “Malbec,” Mendoza, Argentina. Dark color with ripe fruit flavors of boysenberry, and raspberry. Brown spices, leather, cherry, chocolate, and sage. Finishes smooth, with an aftertaste of mint and licorice.
2023 Casa del Toro “Cabernet Sauvignon” Valle de Colchagua DO, Chile. Medium-bodied and very easy to drink with flavors of plum, raspberry, black tea, black olives, soy sauce and hints of mint and sandalwood.
Bob Lipinski is the author of 10 books, including 101: Everything You Need To Know About Whiskey and Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple, available on Amazon. He consults and conducts training seminars on Wine, Spirits, and Food and is available for speaking engagements. Contact him at www.boblipinski.com OR bkjm@hotmail.com
Bob Lipinski, author of 10 books; writes, consults, and conducts training seminars on Wine, Spirits, and Food and is available for speaking engagements.
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