Wine suggestions for tightwads

The recession is hurting everybody's wallet nowadays, including those of wine lovers. When you just can't afford your favorite $25 wine, what can you do to quench your wine thirst? There's a lot of cheap wine out there, but it's a crapshoot trying to find the rare good ones when you don't know what they are or where they are.

Here are some of the good, affordable wine that gourmet bloggers, magazines, wine traders and wine-loving Sentinel staff would call "overperformers":

Rabbit Ridge "Allure des Robles" 2007

l Paso Robles, $8

This wine is medium bodied, with strawberry and cherry overtones and body from the Syrah. Bloggers say it goes well with grilled meats or is a good choice for just sipping. Its 2005 vintage won a bronze medal last year in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. If The Washington Post recommends it, it must be good.

"Fresno State Winery FC Muscat Canelli" 2007

l Fresno, $9.95

This is the first vintage from the newly operational vineyard at Fresno State. It has already won a silver medal at competition and we expect to only see it get better and better. Sentinel staff highly recommends this wine.

Smoking Loon Pinot Noir 2006

l California, $10

The palate is ripe with cherry and strawberry flavors with a slight astringency reminiscent of pomegranate seeds. A Sentinel staff member who tried this wine fell in love with it. This fruit-driven wine is a must with smoked game hen with bitter greens or wild salmon and roasted beets with a champagne vinaigrette, according to one magazine.

Fresno State Winery "TailGate Red"

l Fresno, $6.95

The TailGate Red wine is enjoyed at sporting events year-round. Another favorite tasted by Sentinel staff. Its medium-bodied, easy-drinking nature makes it perfect for any meal you chose to pair it with. It's a silver-medal winner in the 2008 Florida State Fair Wine Competition.

Fish Eye Cabernet Sauvignon

l Ripon, Calif., $6-$8

One blogger called it a "surprising cheapie." This wine lets the fruit speak for itself. Predominantly strawberry on the palate with a bit of currant and vanilla. Another blogger suggested decanting it first and giving it a little time to open up. When you first uncork it, it's acidic and lacks character. But many bloggers agree it becomes a decent wine after it had been open up for a while.

Fox Brook White Zinfandel 2007

l California, $2.99

Quality doesn't always equate price. This gold medal winner at the 2008 California State Fair is a good example. Online reviewers agree: It has a good balance between sweetness and the light fruity nuances. A note of crisp acidity makes it a perfect mate for spicy food

(May 17, 2009)