| You don't have to be a billionaire to appreciate and | | | | red wine alternatives to expensive Bordeaux and |
| enjoy fine wine! Appreciating fine wine can be | | | | California Cabernet? These villages in the Loire |
| intimidating at first. With the weak dollar and the | | | | produce wine from primarily Cabernet Franc, a cousin |
| world popularity of wine skyrocketing, it seems like | | | | of Cabernet Sauvignon. These can vary from fruity, |
| wine is becoming more and more inaccessible. And | | | | simple wines for easy sipping to dark, rich, |
| for those of you who are new to the world of wine, | | | | age-worthy, full-bodied wines. While the best |
| you may think "what is the point?" If you can't | | | | producers' prices have risen somewhat, they are still |
| afford the high end wines that "wine snobs" rave | | | | several times cheaper than their Bordeaux and |
| about, then how will you ever build an appreciation | | | | California counterparts. |
| for fire wine? | | | | Languedoc-Roussillon |
| Well nothing could be further from the truth! Yes, | | | | The Languedoc-Roussillon region is a large region in |
| many top wines have become more and more | | | | the south of France, west of Provence along the |
| unreasonable to purchase and afford. Does that | | | | Mediterranean coast and up to the Spanish border. |
| mean we should give up on wine? That there are no | | | | The region encompasses several appellations |
| good, inexpensive wine options out there anymore? | | | | producing a large range of wines. While historically the |
| No, absolutely not! In fact, the wine world is filled | | | | Languedoc produced only inexpensive and largely |
| with wonderful wines that are just waiting to be | | | | mediocre wine, in the last few decades quality has |
| discovered. Most people, even billionaires, don't drink | | | | soared here! Many small producers have taken |
| the only rare and highly rated wines every day. | | | | advantage of the warm, beautiful climate to produce |
| There is a place for wines which are simply good and | | | | many wonderful wines. Because many still remain |
| don't have to be the best wine you have ever | | | | largely unknown and do not have the prestige of the |
| tasted. And you don't have to stop there...there are | | | | better known wine producing regions, prices for the |
| wines of very high caliber which can be had for | | | | most part have stayed low. Wines vary from white |
| affordable prices if you know where to look. | | | | to red and even great dessert wines. Many of the |
| Unfortunately, in many of the most famous wine | | | | red wines are based on Provençal and Rhone |
| producing regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy and even | | | | grape varietals like Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, |
| California, it has become harder and harder to find | | | | but some producers blend in Bordeaux varietals like |
| great wines at an affordable price. But if you think | | | | Cabernet as well. |
| outside the box a bit, exploring regions and producers | | | | Provence |
| that may be unfamiliar to the average wine drinker, | | | | Provence is in the south of France, along the |
| there are a slew of wines out there that deserve | | | | Mediterranean coast. While the eastern most part, up |
| your time and attention and will not cost you an arm | | | | to the Italian border, is the French Riviera, the west |
| and a leg. | | | | is still a large wine producing region. Most widely |
| Here are a few tips about some regions and types | | | | known for the excellent Rosé wines |
| of wines that are capable of greatness and which so | | | | produced, the red wines of Bandol are where quality |
| far can still be found at prices that mere mortals can | | | | really hits a high. Made from at least 50% Mourvedre, |
| afford. Whether it is an everyday pizza wine you are | | | | the wines of Bandol are rich, dark, meaty and |
| looking for or a world class wine with complexity you | | | | complex. They are also capable of long-aging. Again, |
| can get lost in, there are affordable options out | | | | while the best producers prices have risen |
| there. | | | | somewhat, many inexpensive options are available. |
| The Loire Valley | | | | These are great wines for pairing with the rich, rustic |
| The Loire Valley, or Val de Loire, is a large wine | | | | cuisine of Provence. |
| producing region in France that ranges from nearly | | | | German Riesling |
| the center of the country, west of Burgundy, all the | | | | German wines are often overlooked by |
| way to the west coast. It is a vast area | | | | English-speaking wine drinkers because of their |
| encompassing many different appellations which | | | | confusing names and labels. The long German names, |
| produce all types of wines, from light-bodied whites | | | | often printed in confusing medieval fonts, can |
| to full-bodied reds. For some reason, besides a few | | | | confuse even the most open-minded and cause them |
| notable producers this region has remained relatively | | | | to go elsewhere. Additionally, many people think of |
| invisible to the great majority of the wine world. | | | | German wines as being sweet and not good food |
| While well versed wine enthusiasts know and love | | | | wines. Part of that misconception comes from the |
| the Loire well, your average wine drinker in the | | | | fact that cheap German wines like Liebfraumilch and |
| United States knows little of the region. | | | | "Blue Nun" is a slightly sweet, poorly made wine. |
| Muscadet: From the west of the Loire, these wines | | | | Great German wines, particularly those made by the |
| are usually very inexpensive. Made from the Melon de | | | | noble grape Riesling, are a whole other story. Yes, |
| Bourgogne grape, they are light, fresh and crisp. | | | | they can be sweet, but the sweetness is well |
| They are great summer wines, refreshing and cold. | | | | balanced by intense acidity and minerality which |
| Excellent with light seafood like shellfish. | | | | prevents the wine from being cloying. These can be |
| Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé: These both | | | | truly great wines! While the best producers and |
| produce primarily white wine from the Sauvignon | | | | particularly the dessert wines can be very expensive, |
| Blanc grape. With more depth and body than | | | | lower Pradikat wines like Kabinett and Spätlese |
| Muscadet, these are intense mineral-imbued wines | | | | wines and even the QbA (Qualitätswein |
| which pair well with a number of richer seafood | | | | bestimmter Anbaugebiete) can be delicious, less |
| dishes. | | | | expensive options. And these wines are great with |
| Savennières: This small region which produces | | | | food! German Riesling is one of the best wine pairings |
| 100% Chenin Blanc makes some of the worlds best | | | | I know of for spicy Asian cuisine, such as Thai, Indian |
| white wines. While many years ago they were as | | | | and Vietnamese dishes. |
| sought after as the best white Burgundy, they are | | | | Italy |
| largely unknown to many wine drinkers today. In | | | | Italy is way too big a region to sum up in one brief |
| general, their prices are still very reasonable but the | | | | article. However, I include it because it produces a |
| best producers are capable of producing a truly great | | | | bevy of great, inexpensive wines. While it is most |
| dry white wine which is both intense and filled with | | | | famous for the wines from Tuscany and Piedmont, |
| minerals as well as full-bodied with layers of flavor. | | | | these wines can be quite expensive. But there are |
| These age beautifully, intense and tight when young, | | | | dozens of other appellations throughout Italy which |
| they blossom into a rich, complex, honeyed | | | | produce outstanding wines which can be quite |
| goodness! | | | | inexpensive. Regions like le Marche, Emilia-Romagna, |
| Vouvray: Also 100% Chenin Blanc, these wines can | | | | Friuli, Umbria, Abruzzo, Campania, and others all |
| vary from dry to sweet dessert wines. While the | | | | produce dozens of excellent wines that won't cost |
| best producers' sweet wines can fetch a hefty price, | | | | you an arm and a leg. Don't get stuck in a Chianti rut, |
| the sec (dry) and demi-sec (off-dry) wines, even | | | | explore the lesser known regions in Italy and you |
| from the best producers, are still quite reasonable. | | | | won't be disappointed! |
| Outstanding food wines, the slight sweetness of the | | | | Find a local wine retailer that carries a good selection. |
| demi-sec wines pairs nicely with some spicy Asian | | | | Ask a knowledgeable salesperson to recommend |
| dishes. There are even some excellent, inexpensive | | | | some inexpensive wines from some of these regions. |
| sparkling wines made here which are an excellent | | | | Don't be afraid to experiment with producers and |
| option if you don't want to spend the kind of money | | | | regions you don't have experience with, there is only |
| that Champagne sets you back. | | | | way to learn. And you may find that almost |
| Chinon, Saumur-Champigny and Bourgueil: Looking for | | | | everyone can afford to drink well! |