So what do YOU drink?

One of the most common questions I get from people is "How do I know I'm getting my money's worth when buying wine in a store?"and the associated "What do you drink at home?"

There's actually a pretty good way to tell if a wine is at least "OK" if buying in a grocery store or neighborhood wine shop, and the price isn't ALWAYS the deciding factor: Is the winemaker or winery owner's name on the label?

I don't mean just something like "Gallo" or "Mondavi" (although both make quite a few very good wines). I mean, they're making a wine of which they're actually proud. To name a few, I always tell people to buy anything Bogle, Ravenswood, or Famille Perrin. And all three of those producers make wine at a multitude of price points. Here are some of the wines you'll find in my cooler:

Bogle Petite Sirah ($11, Total Wine)

Jammy, Spicy, Blackberries, Cherries. Have it with Burgers, BBQ, Beef & Broccoli, but most of all.....don't laugh....Oreos! 7 seconds. 

You'll never dunk in milk again!

Ravenswood Vintner's Blend Zinfandel ($8, Total Wine)

For someone that doesn't really eat a lot of red meat, I drink a lot of burger-and-BBQ wines. Because I'm also a cheese and chocolate lover. Again, better with a chill, but more red berries and wood, a bit of hot pepper spiciness, and chocolate on the finish. Have it with BBQ, teriyaki anything, dark chocolate, strong cheeses, heck, have it with a Grilled Cheese sandwich! I'll reduce a half bottle to a syrup and add it to brownies, then spike them with a little brandy when cooled. I'm also a big fan of their Lodi District Zin ($16). If you MUST drink Chardonnay, get theirs. I would go through ten cases a week, in the dead of winter in NYC, when I poured it by the glass.  

Perrin Reserve Côtes du Rhône ($10, Total Wine)

I usually have one of each, red and white, in my cooler for when friends stop by. People will say "I'll have a pinot grigio/chardonnay," not realizing I probably won't have either variety in my house, and I'll pour them this and they'll announce
"That's the best pinot grigio/chardonnay I've ever had!"

The red is meaty with black cherries, woody spices, black pepper, and a touch of cassis. Drink (with a chill) with, well, just about anything. I love it with veggie burgers, spinach dishes, heavier fish, chocolate and nuts (pecan pie, anyone?)
Ditch the Chianti, have it with Pizza. 

The white is round, but not cloyingly so like a chardonnay, with stone fruit, lemon peel, and floral overtones. You CAN drink it ice cold, but I serve it at cellar temperature.

Have it with salads, vegetarian food, fish, chicken, macaroni and cheese, quiche, creme brulee....the list goes on. Try it as a kir with Limoncello.

La Vieille Ferme ($7 Total Wine, sparkling a bit more)

Yes, more Famille Perrin wine! I have come to the conclusion that they just don't make ANY bad wine (although the rosé was not my favorite, I find very few rosés that are).I bought this as a cooking wine the first time (at Whole Foods! 2/$10?), and Julia Child said to never cook with a wine you won't drink, so I tasted it. And drank it. Perhaps not as complex as their Côtes du Rhône, but in a similar vein. This wine is from their grandfather's old property (The Old Farm) in the Luberon. I would pair similarly, if not more casually. And what's that? A new Sparkling Wine?
I haven't seen it on the shelves down here, but I'm game.

Keep in mind, these are the same people who make Miraval Rosé (Branjelina's wine, about $25) from Provence, Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($80-100) and Tablas Creek from California ($30-50) where they sold their vines to the original Rhone Rangers, notably Randall Graham from Bonny Doon.

Want to save a little money? It's a buck less at Trader Joe's
under the name "La Ferme Julien" (Joe's Farm). 

Gruet Winery ($11-17 Blanc des Noir, $10-15 Brut)

Probably the best American Bubbly for the buck you can get. This is a French family that, like Chateau Potelle in Napa, came to the US to figure out why people were suddenly buying domestic wine instead of French. They set up shop in the foothills around Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their Cuvee Sauvage is frequently rated in the top ten American bubblies, regardless of price. The Demi-Sec will satisfy the fussiest Prosecco or Moscato drinker. This might not be my "special occasion" bubbly (Iron Horse, Clicquot, Bollinger, Gatinois, etc.), but you'll usually find a bottle in my fridge.

If your winery didn't make it up here, you might check back for updates. There's always something from Ridge, Chateau St. Michelle, Argyle, Bonny Doon, and a few Italian Producers of which I'm quite fond in my cooler. And an occasional French or Spanish special offer from my friends at Wine Access. But these will give you the best value for your money and are the safe bets for quality.