Wine Fine:The price of drink

Reason ^ | 8/1/2002 | Mike Lynch

[WindMinstrel]

A fed-up consumer calls it "socialism." A fed-up retailer calls it "state-sponsored gouging." They’re referring to an Ohio law that requires vintners, distributors, and retailers to jack up the price of a bottle of wine a total of 135 percent before it hits the shelf. As a result, wine costs up to 50 percent more in Ohio than in other states, translating into $100 million a year that Buckeye State residents could spend on something else.

"I don’t know how this could possibly benefit the public," Tom Jackson, president and chief executive officer of the Ohio Grocers Association, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer, which documented the stupidity of the state’s wine control regime in early March. The paper claimed Ohio is the worst among 17 states that regulate the price at which wine is sold.

It may be the worst, but all 50 states have a strictly enforced three-tier regime to regulate the sale of alcohol. Vintners must sell to wholesalers, wholesalers to retailers, and retailers to the public. Twenty states allow vintners to sell directly to consumers, through either mail order or the Internet. Not one state allows small vintners to bypass the first middlemen and sell directly to retailers.

The protectionist regimes are generally safe in state legislatures, but they are coming under increasing attack through the courts and the Internet. The Institute for Justice, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit legal group, is challenging a New York law that prevents direct wine sales from other states. Wine lovers can also take matters into their own hands. In Ohio, for example, wine enthusiasts buy direct from out-of-state stores. The law requires them to register these purchases and pay the markup. But as The Plain Dealer notes, "many bypass that step."

[sinkspur]

As a matter of fact, speaking of Malbecs, we had a case of Trumpeter Malbec this last spring; very good with lots of aftertaste. I think Trumpeter is Argentinian, but I could be wrong about that.

I've got a friend who raves about Syrahs and Pinot Noir, but they're just too light for me.

Found a couple of good Zinfandels: Ravenswood, and Habacho (?, not sure of that name) (another South American goody).

[johniegrad]

I want cheap to offset the more expensive. I generally buy by the case and end up in the $250-$350 range. I get some pretty good wines in the process but I am wondering if any Freepers have really good bargain wines to offset some of my cost. I can enjoy a wide variety of wines and found some good ones for under $10 that help offset the bills when I buy the Caymus's of the world. I also am holding a bottle of Penfold's Grange and some fairly expensive Italians. But I am always on the lookout for bargains. Thanks for your help.

[johniegrad]

If you like zins, try Rabbit Ridge Grand Reserve (silverish label). Tasting notes are about 90. Price upper $20's. A good Saturday evening dinner wine for you and the misses. Priests probably can't afford it but deacons can.

[eno_]

Aye, Penfold's lower-priced wines are excellent. And for American, Cypress, which is AFAIK J Lohr's down-market label, also is excellent for that second (and third) bottle your in-laws will drink without noticing the downshift in oenological excellence.

[PhilipFreneau]

You can't go wrong with any of these:

Stonehedge 2000 is an excellent Merlot for under $10 on the East Coast ($9.99 where I purchase it). I have finished one case, and recently purchased 2 more.

Another delicious Merlot is Blackstone 2000 for under $12 on the East Coast ($11.99 where I purchase it). I recently purchased 2 cases of Blackstone. Blackstone 1999 is also delicious, but a few dollars more per bottle.

Francis Coppola 1999 (yes, from the Hollywood fellow's winery) is an excellent Merlot for $15.99 on the East Coast.

My favorite 'special occasion' Merlot is Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve 1999 for $17 on the East Coast.

Expect to pay $3 - $4 less in California.

[Romulus]

Good point about Penfold's. I highly recommend their tawny port (used to favor vintage port, but my tastes have mellowed). There are several fine tawnies coming out of Australia, priced for everyday drinking.

[PhilipFreneau]

For those very special occasions, try Estancia Meritage 1998, if you can find it. Expect to pay around $30.

[RedWhiteBlue]

You want cheap? Try Delicato, a California winery. The Chardonay and Merlot are award winners, but I like the Cabernet Savignon, too. Here in Texas, at Spec's (a liquor / wine warehouse with an unbelievable selection), we pay around $7.88 for a 1.5l bottle. Award winning, very drinkable everyday wines. I don't expect the price will stay this low for much longer.

I have grown fond of Spanish Riojas over the last year. You can find some very good ones in the $8 - $10 range.

I am not a fan of Ports, but I have found one that is absolutely decadent. It comes from the Messina-Hof winery in Texas. It is not an artificially fortified wine -- they get the higher alcohol content by using a proprietary patented yeast. Rich and smooth as silk; drink after dinner with a gooey rich chocolate dessert. Around $25.

[johniegrad]

I had a terrific meritage by Copola about 6 months ago but haven't seen it since. I think it was in the $50 range however.

[johniegrad]

I forgot about the Riojas. Yes, definitely in the bargain range. I may continue to bump this list from time to time so keep your eyes open.

[dogbyte12]

Great place I have found for bargains in Trader Joe's, a specialty supermarket in the west. They actually have very drinkable table wines selling for $1.99 a bottle and up. They cut really good deals there, so a $10 bottle at Trader Joe's, will cost probably a good $20-25 for a somewhat equivalent wine. Of course this is just for every day table wine, but for anybody who enjoys a glass with dinner most nights, and wants to have money in their budgets to splurge now and then, try Trader Joe's.

[PhilipFreneau]

Coppola's Rubicon Meritage is considered one of the finest. If that the one you are referring to, I have seen prices ranging from $89 to $140, depending on the year. In any case, it is out of my league, that is, if I want to continue playing golf.

[RedWhiteBlue]

Trader Joes! I lived in Orange County for two years and I LOVED that place. I miss it so much! They have opened several locations in seven states on the East Coast (Maine to Virginia) and Illinois as well. The wine selection is not too extensive, but it is so much fun because you never know what you are going to find there, whether it be bargain prices on common wines or boutique wines that are difficult to find anywhere else.

[johniegrad]

That's the one. Give up the golf and get drunk.

[aShepard]

Also try the Pepperwood Grove line. They put out some very drinkable Syrah at about $7.00.

[Neckbone]

I was really surprised how good the chilean reds are. My brother still insists I'm insane.

I don't need your wine choices to illustrate that.

My pick is the 1998 Forest Glen Merlot. Under $10 and a dyn-o-mite wine, as JJ would say.

[WindMinstrel]

I thought you preferred Boone's Farms?

[Neckbone]

Egads! Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill and a trash can. Good times...

[Lurker]

wines.com

Try the Limerick Lane zinfandel. It's exquisite.

L

[SamAdams76]

Rosemount Shiraz or Shiraz/Cabernet from Australia. All inexpensive and quite good.

The 2000 Rosemount Shiraz is an excellent deal. I believe it got a "90" rating in Wine Spectator (for what it's worth) and it's not often you get a "90" wine in the under $10 a bottle price range and it's available everywhere. Well I think it's pretty good and I'm already working on my second case. Another favorite wine of mine is the Rancho Zabaco Zinfindels (California).