"Local" wineries outside the major production areas can be interesting, fun, surprising and rewarding.  As to being your "best bet" for "good," no.  Unless it's a very special winery indeed (and heaven knows, I'm certainly not familiar with anywhere near most of them), the mind boggles.  There are sound climate and soil reasons the big areas are the big areas.  With respect and affection for Indiana, it isn't Napa or the Loire.

BDL

OK. Here's a "local" for some of you in Granola-land: 

http://stefaniawine.com/

Everything they make is good. The proprietors, Paul and Stephania are both really nice people. 

Anyway, that's not the point of this post. Friday I picked up a bottle from the local grocery store ('da Jewels) for +/-$7 otd. I'm told by some wine geeks that it should go regularly for $15. It was fandamntastic. 

Their stuff is very good quality/price/ratio juice (QPR). One of my favorites is their Petite Sirah. 

That however, is not the focus of this post. This one, Conservancy Crimson and Clover, is. 

Like I said, I gave about $7 for this, and tomorrow I'd be happy to drop the $15 for it because it is that good a juice. The nose has some spice, maybe currant and/or clove; The palate has nice dark fruit, like brutally ripe strawberries and blackberries. My wife thought maybe vanilla. I thought that was maybe leather and tobacco. All in all, delicious. Nice finish, with some tannin to support it's wonderful body. Very mature for an '09. It paired very well with our "Hamburger-Helper CLASSIC Cheeseburger Macaroni". I'm sure it could hold up to anything big. 

I have heard (and only heard, so this could be completely wrong), but apparently you can tell how good the wine is by the curve at the bottom of the bottle. The more curved, the better the wine. Cheers!

Sorry beginnerchef, but NO, bottle curve and wine quality are not so much related. 

I'm not sure if this is a "supermarket wine"

but I had this at a fish place in Hawaii and REALLY liked it

Now I just have to find it

I did a "Google" search and came up empty

Buonasera,

In Madrid Capital, all major supermarkets have a special wine section in which they carry the Designation of Origin Wines from Spain, and then there are international supermarkets and they also have a lovely selection of Italian, French, Argentinian and even some Californian and Chilean ...

Depending on the supermarket, for example: El Cortes Inglés has a Club Gourmet, which is a high end upscale gastronomic retail phenomena, with an enormous wine section featuring an array of some of the best of each wine producing country.

We are not speaking of a small corner Grocer. I have bought well known wines in El Corte Inglés and have paid less than at Lavinia which is an over priced French Retailer.

I would therefore state, it all depends on the supermarket ... and perhaps its location ...

Have a nice Sunday, Ciao.

Margcata.

I know I've said this before. It's the best, most influential recommendation I can make. Find local wine stores with regular free tastings. TRY STUFF. Make up your own scale; simple is NO, maybe try again, YES. Almost always the stuff being sampled is on sale. You make friends with staff or managers and once you've dropped some $$$ they will look out for you. They will if they've got any brains. 

Any store that sells magazines should have "Wine Spectator". Look at the "Savvy Shopper" page. That stuff is relatively available. You should be able to  easily find the inexpensive wines listed. In the back is an index of recently rated wines too. The less expensive stuff is also easy to find. 

QUINTA DAS ARCAS Vinho Verde Arca Nova 2011 (86 points, $12)

This shows good definition to the mineral, peach and apricot flavors, which linger with touches of richness on the spicy finish. Fresh and crisp. 

BIG HOUSE White California 2010 (86 points, $10)

Pretty floral notes of honeysuckle and jasmine give way to flavors of juicy apricot nectar, zesty lemon-lime, spice and almond on a light, refreshing body. Malvasia Bianca, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio and Albariño.

BROADBENT Vinho Verde NV (85 points, $10)

A crisp white, offering vibrant aromas and flavors of fresh-cut green apple, with vanilla and mineral notes.

DOMAINE DU TARIQUET Ugni Blanc-Colombard Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne Classic 2010 (85 points, $9)

This has some juicy, peachy notes to the fresh-cut green apple flavors, with melon and spice on the crunchy finish.

NUGAN ESTATE Cabernet Sauvignon South Eastern Australia Third Generation 2011 (85 points, $10)

A light and tangy red, showing a sharp edge of smoke and tar more prominent than fruit. 

CHÂTEAU LA FREYNELLE Bordeaux White 2011 (85 points, $14)

This forward white offers good grapefruit and lemon zest notes and a plump, open-knit finish. Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle.

PROVIVA Malbec Mendoza Maipe Rosé 2011 (85 points, $13)

A fresh, lively rosé, with strawberry and black currant notes backed by a floral finish.

CAIU A NOITE Vinho Verde 2010 (85 points, $9)

Ripe peach flavors are accented by some decadent spicy notes in this white. Interesting petrol accents chime in on the finish.

ALAMOS Red Blend Mendoza 2010 (85 points, $13)

This spicy red shows layered flavors of black pepper, toasty oak and licorice to the rich plum and blackberry fruit. Moderate tannins firm up the finish. Malbec, Bonarda and Tempranillo.

WINE BY JOE Pinot Gris Oregon 2010 (86 points, $14)

Light and a bit tangy, with melon and almond flower flavors on a dry frame.

Buon Giorno Ice Man.

Thank you for posting your wine suggestions ... I am very fond of Portuguese whites and I truly enjoy 100% Malbec reds and rosés from Argentina ...

What is your viewpoint on Stellenbösch South African Reds ?

Have a lovely Monday,

Margcata.

A lot of good inexpensive and very drinkable juice comes from that area. I'm not so sure I've seen any in the "supermarkets" where I go, but I don't think I've looked for any either. LOL @ Me. Anyway, the LWS where I go do carry attractive choices. 

Iceman,

Firstly, I would like to wish you a wonderful holiday weekend, July 4th.

Thank you for looking up some South African Wines ... I have a list I shall post during the week along with the ones I have had

recently.  I have sampled some French wine estate Chilean wines, that were surprisingly exemplary too. I shall post them during the week.

Thanks again,

Margaux.

Happy and safe holiday backatcha'. 

$10-and-Under Red Wines

2009 Lindeman’s Bin 40 Merlot ($8)

This shows surprisingly robust tannins for a value-priced red.

* I'm not crazy at all about merlots, but this is good still.

2009 Morse Code Shiraz ($9)

A nicely affordable Shiraz that delivers a juicy, generous mouthful of black licorice, spice and ripe blackberry.

* Really nice juice, if you can find it. 

2010 Luzón Verde ($9)

Aging without oak keeps the bold red berry flavors in this organic Monastrell center stage‚ and the price low.

* VERY NICE.

2009 Castaño Monastrell ($10)

Fresh-cracked black pepper notes spice up this plummy, plush, incredibly low-priced Monastrell.

* Great "table red".

2008 Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel ($10)

There are nice vanilla tones in this flavorful, berry-driven red, thanks to a year of oak aging.

* Good "lunch-bucket blue-collar working-stiff" Zin.

2009 The Wolftrap ($10)

Pronounced blackberry, dark plum and spice notes define this affordable and tasty Syrah-Mourvèdre blend.

* Drinks like twice the price. 

Here are some Washington State well structured wines at affordable prices :

1. Colombia Valley Sogno di Stefano Cabernet Sauvignon

* refined red

2. Gra Eagle Red Wing Walla Walla Valley

* a lovely varietal

3. Colombia Crest Pinot Gris Grand Estates

4. ***  Cup Cake Riesling from Colombia Valley Apex ( real lovely Peach, Apple and Clove notes )

5. *** Merlot Colombia Valley Apex II ( berry red and peppery notes )

6. *** Syrah, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc Varietal from Colombia Valley Apex II - rich, round nuances.

*** These wines were had at an expat event I attended with the British Ladies Club, the American Club and the Canadian Club in Madrid, and thus, I did not have the price information here in Madrid nor in the USA / UK.

Happy 1st and Happy 4th,

Margaux.

Wines Under $15

2006 Chivite Gran Feudo Crianza Navarra ($11)

Fruity Garnacha and bold Cabernet Sauvignon bolster juicy Tempranillo in this accessible blend.

2009 Coltibuono Cetamura Chianti ($11)

Tangy berry flavors define this charming entry-level Sangiovese.

2010 Casamatta ($11)

Made from Sangiovese, Graetz’s entry-level red is a super value, with lush, energetic plum and cherry flavors.

2008 Navarro Correas Colección Privada Malbec ($11)

Smooth and lush, with plum and coffee flavors.

2009 Castle Rock Pinot Noir ($12)

Making decent, value-priced Pinot Noir is almost impossible, but Castle Rock pulls it off with this bright, plummy wine.

2009 d’Arenberg The Stump Jump Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvèdre ($12)

Named for a 19th-century plow invented in South Australia, this fresh wine is berry-driven.

2009 Trumpeter Malbec ($12)

A juicy, highly drinkable Malbec packed with freshly ground coffee and bold red-fruit notes.

2008 Kenwood Vineyards Zinfandel ($14)

A bit of Petite Sirah adds heft to briary berry and vanilla.

Love me some Malbec; Love me some Pinot. 

Iceman,

Navarran Rosé - Gran Feudo Julian Chivite is a stunning strawberry crisp dry Rosé ... Absolutely stunning at that price too ...

I enjoy full bodied Argentinian Malbec Mono Varietals very much too ...

Chileans are producing some Malbec grapes too ...  Any dish or update ?

Thanks for a great list.

Happy 4th,

Margaux.  

$15 Wines 

2008 Michele Chiarlo Le Orme Barbera d’Asti Superiore ($15)

A great house red, with energetic cherry and licorice flavors.

2009 Allegrini Valpolicella Classico ($15)

Aging in steel tanks keeps this bottling’s juicy, supple red-fruit flavors bright—and the price reasonable.

2008 Capezzana Barco Reale di Carmignano ($15)

A supple, invigorating blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet.

2008 Argiolas Costera Isola dei Nuraghi ($15)

Made mostly from Cannonau, this bursts with red-fruit flavors.

2008 Bodegas Hijos de Juan Gil Juan Gil Jumilla ($15)

A fleshy, international style of Monastrell with rich flavors and ample mocha and oak notes.

2009 Emilio Moro Finca Resalso Ribera del Duero ($15)

An earthy red whose firm tannins, spice and acidity make it ideal for burgers, lamb or steak.

2008 DQ Douro ($15)

This peppery, layered blend of Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional offers excellent value.

2009 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel ($15)

A supple, juicy Zin with expressive root beer and red plum flavors layered with notes of oak.

2009 Cline Cashmere ($15)

Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah yield chocolate and cherry flavors in this lush Rhône-style blend.

2009 Foxglove Zinfandel ($15)

The juicy wild berry and herb flavors in this great-value Zinfandel finish with tart acidity.

2010 Doña Paula Estate Malbec ($15)

Made with grapes from Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley, this Malbec offers waves of plum, red currant, tobacco and smoke.

2008 Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec ($15)

The depth and concentration in this jammy red comes from grapes sourced from higher-elevation vineyards.

Iceman, Happy 4th,

MALBEC post is wonderful ... thanks for your postings.

Terrazas de Los Andes Reserva Malbec is quite a red velvet fine sipping Argentinian Malbec Mono Varietal ...

Here are some, you may of not listed or listed ...

1. Luca Malbec UCO Valley: espresso and spice notes with boysenberry with shiso leaf aromas.

2. Tikal Malbec Mendoza Natural : ripe plum and blackberry fruit with hints of licorise and a long finish.

3. Viña Cobos Malbec UCO Valley Bramare :  dark plum and boysenberry notes.

4. Poesia Clos Des Andes Reserva Mendoza 2006 :  blackberry notes with tannins that frame the finish which lingers with melted anis.

5. Dominio del Plata Malbec Mendoza Ben Marco 2009 : this has a bouquet of ripe black berry & boysenberry framed with a subtle woodsy finish.

Since you are a Malbec fan, let me know which ones have you sampled and your views ?

Kind regards.

Margaux.  

I found this ‘new’ wine at our little store down the road a piecee, here in the middle of the desert.  I am the only on in our house that drinks adult beverages (mostly) and my preference is a white (no oak please).  This Turning Leaf Refresh Crisp White was a real surprise, it has just a hint of bubbles!  This was lovely with our grilled Mahimahi and small side salad last night.  The price was nice too, under $10 (US dollars).

Over the decades the best red has been GALLO HEARTY BURGUNDY.

It would be really nice to buy wines at the supermarket.  But I live in Utah, a totalitarian theocracy, so that ain't gonna happen.  But for quite some time a passable option was a Mondavi red table wine, labeled as Mondavi red table wine, oddly enough. Probably been a decade or so since I've had it, wonder if it is any good these days.

mjb.