Category Archives: Wine by Variety

GOOD! Recuerdo 2012 Torrontés, La Rioja, Argentina. 13% ABV, $12

Posted on April 25, 2013 by The Frugal Wine Snob

COLOR: Clear, pale straw-green. NOSE: Roses, yeast rolls, stone fruit. TASTE: Roses, salt, stone, minerals. Dry with crisp acidity. Suggested pairing: oysters on the half shell. LABEL: Memories—recuerdos—are timeless. With more than 300 days of sun each year, the Argentine … Continue reading →

Posted in Argentina, Torrontes | Leave a comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: 2011 Cave des Vins de Bourgueil Lieu-dit Beauregard, Bourgueil, Cabernet Franc. 12.5% ABV, around $10.

Posted on April 4, 2013 by The Frugal Wine Snob

This wine is so stinkin’ delicious, I am heading to the wine shop later today to pick up their remaining stash. It’s the most exciting red wine I’ve had in a long time. It has the soaring high notes typical … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, France | Leave a comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: 2011 Domaine du Tariquet “Classic” white blend (45% Ugni Blanc, 35% Colombard, 10% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Gros Manseng), Côtes de Gascogne. 11.5% ABV, available for as little as $6.95 online.

Posted on April 4, 2013 by The Frugal Wine Snob

APPEARANCE: Pale gold. AROMA: Linden, citrus. TASTE: Pear, apple, honey, lychee, grapefruit. Very faint Sauvignon Blanc edge is evident. Tart and refreshing, dry, yet with a round sweetness. Minerals, lemon. Good silky mouthfeel. Among the most intriguing wines I’ve tasted … Continue reading →

Posted in Colombard, France, Gros Manseng, Ugni Blanc, White Blend | Leave a comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: The Wines of Turkey

Posted on December 19, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

I was thrilled to attend the November 2012 EWBC (European Wine Bloggers/Digital Wine Communications Conference) in Izmir, Turkey. Like most of the conference attendees, I sampled perhaps hundreds of wines. While the conference in Izmir’s SwissHotel was stellar, I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Boğazkere, Kalecik Karasi, Moscato/Muscat, Narince, Öküzgözü, Red Blend, Turkey | 4 Comments

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Matthew Iaconis 2011 Moscato, Lodi. 11.6% ABV. $11.99.

Posted on November 24, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

MAN. This will have to be one of my Wines of the Year. Absolutely fantastic. Roses, roses, and linden — perhaps the most aromatic wine I’ve enjoyed all year, with a taste that lives up to the aroma. A touch … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Moscato/Muscat, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

RECOMMENDED: Pamukkale 2010 Kalecik Karasi, Denizli, Turkey. 13% ABV.

Posted on November 22, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Tonight, I’m grateful for many people, events, and things, including the one bottle of wine I brought back from Turkey, the Pamukkale Wines Kalecik Karasi. Yummy with dinner! You probably won’t be able to find the Pamukkale … Continue reading →

Posted in Kalecik Karasi, Turkey | Leave a comment

RECOMMENDED: Erath 2009 Pinot Noir. 13.5% ABV, around $15.

Posted on November 1, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Medium ruby. Nose of cherries, strawberry. First impression: a little hot, bright fruit, spicy at mid-palate with nutmeg. Softened as it opened up with cherry and raspberry added; could be the “hot” impression came from new oak. A good Oregon … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Pinot Noir | Leave a comment

RECOMMENDED: 2010 Cryptic, California red blend. 14.5% ABV, $18 SRT; available for less.

Posted on October 31, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

If you haven’t decided on your Halloween wine yet, here’s a quick recommendation: the 2010 Cryptic red blend. It is delicious, inexpensive, and fun, with backwards lettering and scramble puzzles on the label that you must decipher in order to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Petite Sirah, Red Blend, Zinfandel | 1 Comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Bricco Dei Tati 2008 Barbera, DOC Piemonte, Italy. 12.5% ABV, $9 and up.

Posted on October 27, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Just delicious. This fresh, off-the-beaten-path red started out with some funky barnyard on the nose, but opened up quickly and gave way to dust, lively black fruits, and some spice. Medium-bodied but full-flavored, it tastes a lot more expensive than … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbera, Italy | Leave a comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Pappas Wine Co. 2010 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley. 13.4% ABV, $18.99.

Posted on October 21, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Beautiful light- to medium-ruby color with luscious pink edges. Gorgeous nose of strawberry, baking spices, cigar box—and an occasional whiff of dust and blood because of the volcanic soil in the area. Juicy and succulent, balanced, lively, just wonderful. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Pinot Noir | Leave a comment