Some Prices are Starting to Going Up
If you haven’t noticed, prices continue to creep upward. A quick trip to the mall for a sale will have you asking, “This is on sale? This is the same price it was a few months ago!”

Price increases are most noticeable at the grocery store. Coffee, eggs, bread and produce are at least 10% higher than they were last year at this time.

Wine price increases haven’t gone unnoticed by this consumer. We had a nice drop in wine prices for the past 6 months, but they’ve stopped dropping and, in some cases, are starting to edge upward.

There are several reasons. Because of the loss of jobs, or fear of losing one’s job, consumers are buying less expensive wines. Twisting Vines talked about this in February.

Here in California, and to a lesser extent, Oregon and Washington, it’s starting to take it’s toll. Many newer winemakers and growers purchased land at inflated prices, and unless they have unlimited funds, can’t keep up with expense of producing wine.

Some have gone out of business already. Some are frantically working to downsize and streamline operations. Some are raising prices. There will reach a point where wine drinkers will decide that they would rather switch to a less expensive wine or simply drink less often.

Here at Twisting Vines we will continue to search for those “diamonds in the rough” wines – so you won’t have to.

2 Great Value Wines

Saint Clair Family Estate Vicar’s Choice Pinot Noir 2008
From New Zealand’s Marlborough region. Bright ruby color. Aromas of raspberry, strawberry and red cherry. Medium-bodied. Well-balanced acidity, supple tannins. Cherry and raspberry dominate the palate with hints of red currant. A smooth, long finish. Pairs well with red meat or pasta. At Wine Exchange for $12

2008 Pascual Toso Malbec Maipu Valley
From Argentina. Dark ruby color. Aromas of ripe plums, wet stones and a hint of toast. Flavors of dark cherries and berries with a hint of pepper. Full bodied. Acid balanced with ripe tannins. Drink now or hold 2 or 3 years. Perfect pairing with a cheeseburger! At K & L for $10

2007 Wine
One of the best vintage years for wine – worldwide, was 2007. These wines are now coming to market and with wine prices dropping, there are bargains to be had!

California reds have been slow to come down, but winemakers will have to start discounting in order to reduce inventory. Buyers that once spent $20 – $30 are now buying the $9 – $12 bottles. The $10 – $14 buyer is now in the $3 – $6 dollar category. This is quite a shift to a much lower price point.

In restaurants, we’ve started to see some of the higher end wines being sold by the glass. This is a great opportunity to sample better wines without having to buy the whole bottle.

Some of the best buys recently have been Zinfandel and Syrah from California, Malbecs from Argentina and French Rhône wines.

Fall Wines Under $25 from Dreyfus Ashby & Co.
By Jared Paul Stern – Luxist

New York-based Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., a national independent importer and marketer of fine wine and spirits, has put together a list of great fall wines from around the globe, ideal for various cuisines and all priced under $25.

France’s Château de Campuget “1753″ stems from an 18th century document mentioning the historic property. The 100% Syrah is aged in stainless steel, seeing no oak. Deep purple in color, it is elegant and herbal with nice tannin and a crisp finish, paring nicely with spicy foods as well as hearty cold weather dishes like beef and pastas in red sauce. $12.99.

Under the discerning eye of consulting winemaker Véronique Drouhin-Boss, the light, fruity quality of Cloudline Pinot Noir (2007) from Oregon never waivers and pairs perfectly with everything from a fatty fish, such as salmon, to lamb. $14.99.

Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignon (2007) from South Africa is a full-bodied, mouth-filling and rich wine with ripe fruit, delicate spice, firm tannins and a lasting aftertaste, pairing perfectly with robust winter stews, roasts and mature cheeses. $10.99.

Italy’s Renato Ratti Barbera D’Alba Torriglione (2007) is structured and rich with a pleasing and harmonious bouquet. The result is a full- bodied wine with an excellent balance between acidity and tannin that lends itself particularly well to pastas with lean protein, such as pork or chicken. $18.99.

Tedeschi Valpolicella Capitel Dei Nicalò (2006) is made from local Veronese grape varieties including Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara in the traditional style of the region. It is complex and elegant with lively acidity and an alcohol content that is balanced nicely by its tannins. $17.99.

Argentina’s Enrique Foster Reserva Malbec (2006) is made of selected grapes from old vines and production is limited to 5,000 lbs per acre. The wine is then aged in French and American oak for 12 months and in bottles for an additional six months. It’s a huge wine with fruity aroma and berry flavors perfectly suited to richly spiced dishes and roasted or grilled meats. $19.99.

2006 Water Wheel “Memsie” Shiraz-Cabernet-Malbec Bendigo Victoria
The 2006 Memsie red is a ruby-colored Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec blend. The nose exhibits black currant, plum and raspberry aromas.

A balanced, full-bodied wine with rich, dark fruit and berry flavors, with hints of savory spice and anise. The smooth, chalky tannins carry through to a lingering finish. This wine received 90 points from Robert Parker and Stephen Tanzer.

Best drinking between 2009 – 2012. It is an ideal match for pasta, lean red meat dishes and cheese. A great value. $11

Purple color with aromas of spice and mocha. Flavors of plum, ripe berries and oak. Full- bodied and balanced with a long, smooth finish. We had this wine with barbecued spareribs. It was a perfect match. Quite a bargain at $13.