| 2007 Champane's Wine Cellars Top 100 Wines under $20 |
For this Holiday newsletter, we are going to forego our Tasting Notes and Top 10 Value Wine departments, which will return with the January '08 issue.
In it's place, we once again present our much anticipated Top 100 value wines of the year, all priced under the $20 mark. Culled from my tasting notes taken throughout this past year, each tasted and rated, the wines listed are in no particular order as to their rating as # 1 or # 50, rather grouped by varietal, starting with red wines, then finishing with white, rose, dessert, and champagnes.
Once again, as in years past, I found it extremely difficult to eliminate those last few wines to get my list down to exactly 100. So, again as a bonus, this years list contains an extra 10%, yes, for those who are counting, the list actually consists of 110 wines. I'm sure no one will disagree with this predicament, since here at Champane's, we love giving our customers just a little bit more.
We hope this list will serve as your Holiday shopping guide. Keep in mind that many of these wines are of limited production and may disappear quickly, and prices listed may change unexpectedly due to increased charges by our distributors.
We regret if your favorite wine did not make this years list, which by no means reflects it's quality. This list could easily have topped 300 wines or more. You may recognize some old favorites, or discover some new gems you have yet to try. Rest assured, we believe this years list of Top 100 Wines will be welcome additions to anyone's collection or a much appreciated gift for the Holidays.
RED
2005 JOEL GOTT CABERNET $13.99
2005 MOON MOUNTAIN CABERNET $12.99
2005 RED DIAMOND CABERNET $7.99
2003 VILLA MT. EDEN CABERNET $12.99
2005 J LOHR CABERNET $9.99
2004 ARTESA CABERNET $19.79
2004 WINE SMITH CABERNET $15.29
2004 WEINGUT JANZ CABERNET $9.99
2005 DYNAMITE MERLOT $8.99
2005 ST. SUPERY MERLOT $19.79
2005 PARCEL 41 MERLOT $17.79
2005 WENTE MERLOT $10.69
2005 BOGLE MERLOT $9.59
2003 COLUMBIA CREST CAB/MERLOT $6.59
2005 JOEL GOTT CALIFORNIA ZINFANDEL $15.99
2006 CLINE ANCIENT VINE ZINFANDEL $12.99
2005 ROSENBLUM RICHARD SAURET ZIN $19.99
2005 PEACHY CANYON INCREDIBLE RED ZIN $9.99
2005 7 DEADLY ZINS $15.39
2005 BOGLE OLD VINE ZINFANDEL $10.79
2005 SERENITY PINOT NOIR $17.69
2005 CARNEROS CREEK RESERVE PINOT NOIR $19.49
2005 ERATH PINOT NOIR $18.39
2005 CASTLE ROCK PINOT NOIR $9.99
2005 BLACKSTONE RESERVE PINOT NOIR $14.99
2006 SHERWOOD PINOT NOIR $15.29
2005 CONSILIENCE SYRAH $19.39
2004 JADE MOUNTAIN SYRAH $17.29
2004 SCOTT HARVEY SYRAH $13.99
2005 BOGLE PETITE SIRAH $8.99
2005 DAVID BRUCE PETITE SIRAH $18.99
2005 CASTLE ROCK PETITE SIRAH $10.29
2003 IRONSTONE CABERNET FRANC $15.89
2005 TEN MILE RED $9.99
2005 THE OTHER RED $8.99
2004 CHARIOT DIANA $12.99
2004 TWO BARREL $15.99
2004 JADE MOUNTAIN LA PROVENCAL $18.19
2005 CLINE CASMERE $11.99
2005 STEPHEN VINCENT CRIMSON $8.29
2005 SHOOTING STAR BLUE FRANC $12.39
NV DON'S RED BLEND $10.79
NV MARIETTA OLD VINE RED LOT #44 $9.99
2006 FOLIE A DEUX MENAGE A TROIS RED $7.99
2004 VERDAD TEMPRANILLO $16.49
2005 CLOS MIMI PETITE ROUSSE $14.99
2005 CHEAPSKATE MISER MERITAGE $7.09
2005 FLORA SPRINGS SANGIOVESE $16.69
2005 MICHELE CHIARLO BARBERA D' ASTI $11.19
2003 CANTINA ZACCAGNINI MONT. D' ABRUZZO $11.99
2002 PALAZZETTI ROSSO D' MONTALCINO $19.99
2003 LUIGI RIGHETTI AMARONE $19.99
2005 TRES PICO OLD VINE GRENACHE $11.99
2006 LUZON JUMILLA $5.99
2004 JUAN GIL JUMILLA $11.99
2006 CAN BLAU TEMPRANILLO $12.99
2005 VINA BORGIA GRENACHE $5.99
2004 LAS ROCAS GARNACHA $9.39
1996 LAN RIOJA GRAN RESERVA $19.49
2003 SIMONSIG PINOTAGE $13.69
2005 GEORGES DEBOEUF FLEURIE $13.19
2003 KERMIT LYNCH COTES DU RHONE $11.99
2005 MOUTON CADET BORDEAUX $7.99
2005 CHATEAU LA LAUZETTE $16.99
2005 CHATEAU HAUT-PLANTEY $9.99
2003 CHATEAU LAGAROSSE $9.59
2004 CRANEFORD ALLYSON PARSONS SHIRAZ $15.29
2006 TORBRECK WOODCUTTERS RED $19.39
2005 HOPE ESTATE THE RIPPER SHIRAZ $12.99
2006 THORN CLARKE TERRA BAROSSA SHIRAZ $8.99
2006 THORN CLARKE SHOTFIRE SHIRAZ $14.99
2006 TERLATO CHAPOTIER SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER $19.99
2006 THE BLACK CHOOK SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER $13.99
WHITE
2005 PENNY FARTHING CHARDONNAY $9.99
2005 LIN COURT CHARDONNAY $15.49
2005 LAETITIA CHARDONNAY $15.39
2005 SANFORD CHARDONNAY $14.69
2005 FOUR VINES NAKED CHARDONNAY $10.99
2005 PIERANO ESTATE CHARDONNAY $10.29
2005 GLEN CARLOU CHARDONNAY $11.99
2005 GEORGES DEBOEUF CHARDONNAY $11.49
2004 THE FURST GEWURZTRAMINER $13.19
2006 KIM CRAWFORD SAUVIGNON BLANC $13.99
2006 DRYLANDS SAUVIGNON BLANC $11.99
2006 SPY VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC $14.69
2006 BRANCOTT SAUVIGNON BLANC $7.99
2006 MORGON SAUVIGNON BLANC $11.89
2006 ST. SUPERY SAUVIGNON BLANC $15.99
2006 ROSENBLUM VIOGNIER $15.29
2005 CURTIS VIOGNIER $15.89
2005 INCOGNITO VIOGNIER $15.39
2005 ONE LAST KISS WHITE $11.99
2006 QUPE BIEN NACIDO CUVEE $17.89
2006 DR. L RIESLING $10.79
2005 MADONNA RIESLING SPATLESE $9.99
2005 HUBERTUSOF RIESLING CLASSIC $9.99
2006 SIMONSIG CHENIN BLANC $10.39
2006 SAN GIUSEPPE PINOT GRIGIO $9.99
2006 CESARI PINOT GRIGIO $6.99
2006 ADELSHEIM PINOT GRIS $15.89
2005 HUBERTUSOF PINOT BLANC $12.39
2006 FOLIE A DEUX ROSE $7.99
2005 SKIN FLINT ROSE $7.09
2006 S. STEFANO MOSCATO D' ASTI $18.69
2006 ST. SUPERY MOSCATO $15.99
2004 PARINGA SPARKLING SHIRAZ $10.59
NV GLORIA FERRER BLANC DE BLANC $18.02
NV CRISTALINO BRUT CAVA $5.00
NV CHATEAU CHANTAL CELEBRATE SPARKLING $12.49
NV LARRY MAWBY SEX BRUT ROSE $11.99
(Prices subject to change. Wines are listed by varietal, not rating)
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eaujolais Nouveau Tasting |
 C
Thursday, November 15th.
5:30 - 8:00 PM
$15.00 Per Person
Our BIGGEST event of the year!
You don't want to miss this one! | |
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Did you know.....................that despite popular belief, Dom Perignon (1638 - 1715), the cellar master at Hautvillers Benedictine Abbey did not invent champagne. Though blind, he is credited with inventing the mushroom shaped cork and wire cage, allowing champagne to cellar and age safely in bottles for the first time.
Wine Trivia.....................What is the largest single cork tree in the world? The Whistler Tree, so named for the numerous songbirds who reside therein, is 45 feet high and 15 feet round at its base. It is located near the town of Aguas de Moura in the Alentejo region of Portugal. Planted in 1783, a harvested ton of its raw bark is able to bottle over 100,000 bottles of wine. |
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Cellar Tip............With the Holiday season upon us, how many times when you are out shopping for a gift for that special someone do you ponder "What do I get for the person who has everything?" When it comes to that certain "Wine Nut" on your list, it can be an equally troubling task.
When it comes to buying a bottle of wine as a gift, many people feel quite intimidated. Am I paying too much or too little? Is it the kind that they like? Do they already have this wine? These are only a few of the many questions that you may ask yourself. And when it comes to accessories for the eonophile, a crystal ball or a physic might not even be of much help.
This month, we're going to help you break that cycle, letting you get a head start on your Holiday shopping by suggesting numerous ideas in helping you select that unforgettable gift for the wine lover on your list.
Wine Journal: What better way to record your wine tasting notes, keep inventory, save precious labels, along with fun facts and momentous memories of your favorite wines. A unique way to savor your wine history for years to come.
Glasses: The right stemware and a great bottle of wine is a match made in heaven. Certain wines benefit from the correct style bowl of a glass to accentuate it's finest qualities. A Cabernet style glass differs largely from a Chardonnay style, as does a Pinot Noir style from a Port one as well.
There are many quality glassware makers on the market, most notably Riedel, Spiegelau, Symphony, and Fushion to name a few. They offers many different shapes, styles, and sizes that will surely enhance any wine drinking experience.
Stay away from colored glasses or those adorned with cutesy painting. Your stemware should be crystal clear to help visualize color and clarity of the wine.
Depending on your budget, prices range from as low as $5 per glass up to $200. Remember, the right glass can transform a mere vessel into an instrument of pleasure.
Decanters: As I have stated in past columns, a decanter can have varied uses. Older vintage bottles not only benefits from it's use, but younger wines, with an hour or so of aeration, can help maximize their flavors as well.
Look for one that allows the most amount of air to come into contact with the wine. A wide bottom style with a narrow top is the most popular but many other styles work equally as well. Newer models even allow you to vacuum seal your unused portion in the same way a Vacuvin does with an unused bottle. Once again, prices vary depending on quality and style.
Aerating Funnel: This devise filters out unwanted sediment while you are pouring your wine into a decanter. They are simple to use and easy to clean. The brilliant color of a wine as it flows through the funnel and sprays out over the sides of the decanter is a wonderful sight to behold. New designs are constantly coming into the marketplace so there are many to choose from. A new cutting edge device which looks like a shot glass allows for speedy aeration, forcing wine and air to mix easily as it pours from bottle, through the devise, and directly into your glass.
Wine Sceptre: This newly invented device allows for the quickest advance in wine chilling design. Made of stainless steel, you simply put it in the freezer and when needed, insert into your favorite bottle of wine for a fast and easy chill. Instead of cooling your wine from the outside in, this tool does it from the inside out and maintain a constant temperature longer than the usual water and ice bath. | |
Wine bag: These travel carriers allow you to take a single or multiple bottles of wine with you where ever your wine destination may be. They come in hard or soft shell varieties, assorted colors, and insulation allows you to keep your white wines chilled and your red wines at good cellar temperature until you reach your destination.
Corkscrews & Openers: Many different style are on the market to choose from. The choices these days are endless. Some come with thermometers, titanium worms, in an array of colors and designs. From hand held designs to counter mounted professional models, find one that suites your everyday needs and the easiest to handle. Just be aware of each one's good and bad points. Critics choice was the Double Fulcrum Waiters Friend model.
Art: A framed wine photo or a colorful painting to hang on the wall will beautify any wine lovers home or office.
Artist Thomas Arvid specializes in high quality photo realistic wine paintings that are as beautiful as they are collectable. Go to www.arvid-artist.com to view some of his spectacular work. Also, many home good departments at various stores sell a wide variety of prints and framed wine art at a wide range of prices. As the saying goes, "You Gotta Have Art!"
Tasting Kit: Become a wine master on your own without the years of training. These kits contain vials of aromas and scents that help you identify the numerous characteristics found in your favorite wines. I use mine on a weekly basis and find it one of the best educational tools for those interested in expanding their wine knowledge and vocabulary.
Magazine Subscription: Your wine lover will reap the benefits from a subscription to his favorite magazine all year long. I highly recommend The Wine Enthusiast, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Newsletter, Wine & Spirits, Food & Wine, Decanter, and The Wine Spectator to name but a few choices.
Plate's & Napkins: If you look hard enough, wine theme plates, napkins, coasters, and towels are available through wine catalogs or at any number of department stores.
Cork Trivets: How many readers out there have saved their corks from countless bottles of wine they have opened over the years and swore that one day, they would do something with them. If you are the creative type and want to give a personalized treasure, here is your chance.
Used on a table as a hot plate or hung on the wall as a work of art or bulletin board, this can be a truly special gift.
You can purchase a number of different size pre-made wooden frames to get you started easily on this project, or if you prefer, build your own frame. I have done a number of them in various sizes and styles, though sometimes challenging, when finished, they are quite rewarding. You can do the typical 2 by 2 method (2 across then 2 down) or try the harder yet more stylish herringbone pattern. With the vintage and winery name on the corks, this is a gift that will bring back a life time of memories of wines shared and special celebrations.
Books: Titles abound when it comes to the print media on the subject of wine. Red, White, French, Italian, Napa Valley, What is, How to, When to, Where to, Wine for Dummies, the list goes on and on. I am currently enjoying The Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil, also Wine with Food, and Discovering Wine both by author Joanna Simon. Look also for coffee table books with splendid photographs on the various aspects of wine.
Wine Away: Ever spill red wine on your white carpet or heaven forbid, white clothes? No problem anymore as there are a number of solutions on the market to remove said stains. Wine Away and Wine B'Gone are the two most popular and they work pretty well. For a major carpet stain, always remember to use everyday table salt, it will do the trick just as well.
Wine: The best advise I can give to you about buying wine as a gift is to ask one of our in store wine experts for assistance in helping you find that perfect bottle. With literally thousands of wines to choose from, making the right choice is our specialty. From hard to find gems from every corner of the wine world, in every price range to meet your gift budget, we will help you in every way possible to please the palate of the lucky recipient.
Gift Baskets: These lovely arrangements can be a virtual all in one party. Filled with a wide assortment of delectable's from wine, cheese, crackers, nuts, candies, and novelties, it's hard to go wrong with this choice. Come browse our large assortment of specialty creations on display or let us help you create a one of a kind basket with our wide selections of specialties of your choice.
Various: Over the years, I have received such wine theme gifts such as Wine Crackers, a great way to cleanse the palate while tasting. Wine tags that fit over the neck of the bottle to record vintage and varietal information, a decanter cleaning brush, decanter drying rack, the board game Wine-opoly and a Murder Mystery wine game, wine racks, a vacuvin to preserve open bottles by pumping out the air inside, label removers, chocolate covered wine grapes, marble wine coasters, winery peppermills, and many untold duplicates that may have been regifted.
If money is no object, consider an unordinary gift such as a wine tasting party, a trip to any of the wine area's throughout the US or abroad, a wine refrigerator to store any large volume of collectable's, or if none of the above ideas strike your fancy, the old reliable gift certificate will always do the trick.
Which ever gift you may elect to choose, let Champanes Wine Cellar be your one stop shopping destination. Not only do we carry the largest and finest selection of wines in the State of Michigan, our large assortment of wine accessories and gift baskets are sure to please everyone on your Holiday gift list. | |
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