Under $20 Wines from France and Argentina

As I talk to friends both old and new, young and “mature”, they share the same plea: help us find affordable, delicious wine. These wine lovers are like you and me.  We love to sip and savor wine with good friends, while reading a book or cooking a meal, when lounging by the pool, or while chatting with neighbors across the fence.  We like to have a nice bottle of wine at the ready when friends drop by unexpectedly or when a lovely dinner is planned.  And we simply don’t want to spend a fortune unless that wine is “really good”!  This week I have the pleasure of recommending a white blend from the Cote du Rhone and a Malbec from the Mendoza region of Argentina, both under $20 and lovely to drink at any occasion.  Enjoy!

2013 Les Dauphins Reserve White Cotes du Rhone – Just as memorable as the label on the bottle is this wine, a delightful white blend of 65% Grenache, 15% Marsanne, 10% Clairette, and 10% Viognier from the Cote du Rhone in the Rhone Valley.  With appealing, almost transluscent color of straw in the glass, fresh and light aromas of stone fruit, herbs and flowers led me down the the path to tastes of citrus and melon with bright acidity and zesty minerality. You may want to pair the Les Dauphins Reserve with fresh fish, a savory cheese platter, or the traditional bistro dish, croque monsieur.  Cost is $13.

2012 Trivento Amado Sur Malbec – From Mendoza, Argentina, the 2012 Amador Sur is 70% Malbec, 18% Bonarda, and 12% Syrah, a delicious combination if you haven’t yet tried it.  In the glass, the Malbec, tempered with small amounts of Bonarda and Syrah, was a rich, dark color of purple ink.  Aromas of red fruit, vanilla, chocolate, moss and earth enticed me to have that first sip.  On the palate I found plenty of sweet spice, red cherries and dark chocolate. Balanced with integrated tannins, medium acidity, and a pleasant finish with lingering notes of vanilla, this wine is a steal for $15.00.  Pair the Amado Sur Malbec with any selection coming off your grill.

Let the weekend begin!!

 

Cheers~ Cindy