Good and cheap Malbec

The Bodega Norton 2007 Malbec is available at Publix for less than $8. It is really smooth and good. Can't beat the price!

Surf Point Pinot Grigio California

 

$8.99 at Sweet Bay

From the "California" Region ;)
Actually pretty good, especially considering the price. Lively and crisp.
Will buy again!

Just did some internet research... looks like this wine was exclusive to FOOD LION! Ack! The 2006 vintage won some awards and the flowery language they use to describe that year do not quite apply to the 2007. Another relabel job! Corporate wine masquerading as something else. again.

Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc

 

Sucked Bad!

Number one sign a wine is bad news: animal name
Number two sign: it's the color of bum's piss

We tried it, we gave it a shot, but it was terrible. May have been cooked at some point during it's transit from NZ since it was completely flat and funky, which a white wine should never be. Terrible after taste.

Kendall-Jackson Meritage - Sweet Bay

Kendall-Jackson Meritage 2004
65% Cabernet Sauvignon
34% Merlot
1% Cabernet Franc

Price at Sweet Bay $11.99

Okay, first off - what is up with 1% Cab Franc???
Anyway, it was tasty & robust with good merlot flavors. Was a nice compliment to the steaks my husband grilled for dinner. I absolutely will buy again.

Meritage post on Wikipedia: "Meritage is a word used to distinguish wines that are made in the style of red Bordeaux but without infringing on that region's legally protected designation of origin. Winemakers must license the right to use the trademark "Meritage" for their wines from The Meritage Association, based in California."

More from Wikipedia: "Meritage" is a registered trademark of The Meritage Association and can only be used by wineries that agree to the Meritage Association's licensing agreement. This agreement stipulates the types of blends that can be labelled "Meritage". Red wine from Bordeaux is made with certain grape varieties, principally Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. A red Meritage must be made from at least two of these grapes (or the less well known St. Macaire, Gros Verdot, and Carmenere), and no single varietal may comprise more than 90% of the blend.

White Meritage bears the same relationship to white Bordeaux as its red counterpart. It is a blend of at least two of the grapes Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Sauvignon Vert."

SeaGlass SB, Sweetbay Supermarket

SeaGlass Sauvignon Blanc
Santa Barbara County
price = $13

This was a tasty treat. Tastes as if it has been exposed to a little bit of oak, since it has a certain roundness in the mouthfeel. Nice citrus flavors, good tartness, but not as tart as a NZ SB.

Definitely worth the price.

Zen of Zin - Sweet Bay

 

Zen of Zin, made by Ravenswood

price = ~$12
2006 Old Vine Zinfandel.

Thoroughly enjoyed this zippy red wine! We found it to have a nice inky color and a spicy/earthy nose; it was tart on the tongue and had a touch of blackberry in the aftertaste. Yummy!

Winking Owl Chardonnay - Aldi

 

Winking Owl Chardonnay - $2.99 Aldi Grocery Store

Okay, this was an experiment. I am not a fan of chardonnay, unless it is unoaked. This one was a little scary given its price and the lack of a year on the bottle. On the back, it says "semi-sweet."

The surprise here is that it is totally drinkable, and not the least bit oaky. Leaning more toward the sweet side, it manages to pull of "light and refreshing" without being too heavy. Tastes like a pinot grigio that is just a bit heavier and flavorful.

This isn't a cheese and crackers wine but certainly can hold up with dinner, as a second bottle at girl's night, or in a recipe that calls for white wine.