[abefroman]

Originally Posted by DuckFat

I still agree. Have you tried the FetzerGewurztraminer at TJ's? About $7.
Another good find at Costco this weekend is a Washington wine:
2007 Chateau Ste Michelle, Indian Wells, Cab Sav- $13.

Haven't had those, I'll check them out.

[Pete]

Haven't had those, I'll check them out.

And that's my point. Too many Americans are too willing to bash a wine due to its price point. They automatically assume if it is less than $15-20 then it has to be crap. That is not neccessarily the case. Sure, a $12 bottle of wine isn't going to be a life changing experience, but there is something to be said for easy to drink every day wines and that's what many of these inexpensive wines are. Sure there are plenty of crappy wines at that price point, but then again, there are some pretty crappy wines at higher price points also. Another story-the sommelier at City Grill, in Atlanta, turned me one to this great little port from South Africa. It was dirt cheap, but very drinkable. He turned me on to it because he loved it and thought I would to. Sure it was not a "great" port, but it was well balanced, had plenty of good flavors, and was affordable enough that I could drink it often and keep the Warres '83' for a special occasion.

The point is, there are plenty of very drinkable inexpensive wines out there. Just because a wine is inexpensive doesn't automatically make it TBC. Not every wine has to be a culinary experience, just like every meal doesn't need to be.

[abefroman]

Originally Posted by Pete

And that's my point. Too many Americans are too willing to bash a wine due to its price point. They automatically assume if it is less than $15-20 then it has to be crap.

I'm not saying that, I know there are a some out there that are good wines for cheap.

I'm saying the ones I have had that were really cheap are often terrible, and in several instances I poured the bottle out, or just used it for a marinade. If you go into the $7-15 range your a lot more likely to get something good or at the very least drinkable.

One cheap wine I had that was very good, was a Cuban white wine, I got it free (in Canada) but it probably costs less than $0.50 per bottle there. It was just labeled white wine, so I'm sure it was a mix but the predominant grape was Sav Blanc.

[DuckFat]

Originally Posted by Pete

The point is, there are plenty of very drinkable inexpensive wines out there. Just because a wine is inexpensive doesn't automatically make it TBC.

There are indeed plenty of very good wines available for $16 and less. I've listed several on this thread alone that fall in to those perameters.
I don't drink much and when I do pop a cork I do want it to be an enjoyable experience. I have opened my share of wines in the $30-40+ price range that were disappointing so it's not just about the label or the price point but rather the quality of what's in the bottle.
I don't think any one here is using TBC as a generic descriptive for cheap wine. We are talking about the Charles Shaw wines sold at TJ's for $2.

[RLP]

Since the OP is from California you are probably not too far from a vineyard or a wine store that offers wine tasting, I would suggest finding one and trying several and find out what matches your palate.

As far as temperature goes, personally I like reds served in the high 50's range and whites in the low 50 range

[DuckFat]

Originally Posted by RLP

I would suggest finding one and trying several and find out what matches your pallet.

I tried that once but it was hard trying to match my pallet. I felt like I had splinters at the end of the day. I just couldn't find any thing with that pine nuance. Not to mention some of the more uppity tasting rooms wouldn't even let me in the door.
I probably should have went to the service entrance. My pallet would have been a lot more welcome there.
Of course I'm just joking. Now I better watch for my own twypos!

[RLP]

Originally Posted by DuckFat

I tried that once but it was hard trying to match my pallet. I felt like I had splinters at the end of the day. I just couldn't find any thing with that pine nuance. Not to mention some of the more uppity tasting rooms wouldn't even let me in the door.
I probably should have went to the service entrance. My pallet would have been a lot more welcome there.
Of course I'm just joking. Now I better watch for my own twypos!

You need to try the pine aged wine, thanks for the catch.

[abefroman]

Originally Posted by RLP

You need to try the pine aged wine, thanks for the catch.

In Greece pine aged wine, Retsina, is common. Very interesting taste.

[petalsandcoco]

Speaking of Greece, may I add that some excellent Bordeaux blends are produced in Krania.....

Greece makes a dessert wine which I really enjoy as well, it is not too expensive and tastes great.
My sister taught me a few things from there....