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Booze on a Budget: Thanksgiving wine picks

November 24th, 2009, 6:00 am · 9 Comments · posted by PAUL HODGINS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

paulportrait1Thanksgiving is upon us, and if you’re like me you’ve left the wine buying until the last minute.

Here are a few good-value recommendations from Rick Webster, a managing partner at Rolf’s Wine. One of O.C.’s oldest wine shops, this Newport Beach retailer has been serving customers since 1953. Rick has been with the company since 1968 and knows a thing or two about fermented grape juice.

Rick’s picks for the Thanksgiving table:

cannonball1Cannonball 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon: If you don’t mind the unknown origins of its grapes, this wine is one of the great California Cab bargains of the moment, Rick says. “It’s probably got a little Napa, a little Sonoma, maybe even a little Paso,” Rick said of the grapes’ likely birthplaces. “It’s got great concentration, soft tannins — a steal at $12.99 a bottle. It easily tastes like it’s twice the price.”

Cazar 2008 Russian River Pinot Noir: “I find Oregon Pinots a little earthy for Thanksgiving,” Rick said. “I like some fruit in my Pinot. This one is made by a guy named Hunter, but that name was owned by another winery so he uses the Italian name for hunter, which is cazar.” Rick says Cazar is a nice blend of cherries, berries and vanilla. “It’s soft and so food-friendly.” $18.99 (better than the online prices I could find).

For Chardonnays, Rick mentioned Talbott Vineyard’s  Kali Hart — almost too popular now but still a bargain at $12.99. “It’s phenomenal at that price — lots of tropical fruit, a touch of vanilla, nice acidity.” Rick opts for that over Cambria’s ever-popular Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay, which he thinks has fallen in recent years.

For the less budget-conscious, Rick recommends Chasseur 2007 Russian River Valley Chardonnay. “It’s made by that same guy (who makes the Pinot), Hunter. ” Rick describes it as a classic northern California Chardonnay: “It’s got the toasty oak, the vanilla. Nice weight on the palate. A litle apple and pear, too.” At $24.99, Rick thinks it’s very well priced. (Compared to what I see on the Internet, so do I.)

Rolf’s Wine, 110 Tustin Ave., Newport Beach. 949-631-1212.

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 9 Comments

  • rambo says:
    November 24, 2009 at 9:48 am

    Try some Truning Leaf Chard at Ralphs, its on sale for $4.99 and often you can find an extra $1 off coupon right on the bottle. Not bad.

    Post Reply
  • Sidney says:
    November 24, 2009 at 10:35 am

    Hmm, I know he has been in the business almost as long as I have been alive, and maybe it is because his client base probably has one dimensional buying habits (Caymus, Silver Oak, Duckhorn, etc., etc., etc.) but for a meal with a wide variety of flavors (unless you are just eating the turkey) I can’t believe the best he can come up with is a young cabernet and two oaky Chardonnays.

    Alright, it is an American holiday so no Frenchies or Italians but what about recommending something like the Eroica Reisling from Washington? Nice acidity without the oakiness and can be widely found (Winex, Total Wine, Fresh and Easy) for under $20.00. Or a Halter Ranch GSM Rose from Paso for under $15.00? The fruit Mr. Webster says he likes but without the heavy- handedness of an oaky Chard. And no sparklers recommended? Try the Gruet Blanc de Noir from New Mexico for under $20.00 (an Australian Sparkling Shiraz is a better choice but I will keep this American centric).

    Finally, Oregon Pinots too earthy? Huh? No one has ever accused Ken Wright or Owen Roe wines from having too little fruit. However, since this is a budget column, I’d go with the Roots Pinot from Oregon or the Owen Roe Sharecroppers PInot (both around $20.00). Heck, even the 2008 Castle Rock from the Willamette Valley for under $10.00 (unless you buy it from Whole Paycheck) is a better choice than those Chardonnays.

    BTW, in spite of my critique, I’m glad the Register has started this column. They need a good wine blog to go with the food blogs everyone follows. Have a nice Thanksgiving!

    Post Reply
  • UnCorked Wine Bar says:
    November 24, 2009 at 11:24 am

    For all your holiday wines visit UnCorked Wine Bar in Rancho Santa Margarita.

    http://www.getuncorked.com

    Or buy through the web at http://www.webwine.com

    Post Reply
  • PAUL HODGINS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER says:
    November 24, 2009 at 11:29 am

    Thanks for your insights, Sidney. I would have added a couple of central coast Zinfandels to the list (my idea of a good pairing is a big-flavored, reasonably priced Tobin James Zin with my wife’s rather spicy Thanksgiving sides) and perhaps a Washington State Merlot (Columbia Crest is a great wine for the price). Anyone else have some suggestions about other varietals that are reasonably priced?

    Post Reply
  • Bengia says:
    November 24, 2009 at 12:30 pm

    Personally, I like a nice Merlot with my bird… Then a tawny port with my punkin pie…

    Post Reply
  • ThisIsNotAnExit says:
    November 24, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    I thought wine on a budget meant boones or boxed…?

    Just kidding!!!

    If you want to find good wines for cheap, you go to bevmo and find their clearence there. I have gotten some awesome wines! Once I got a bottle of Chilian wine (some kind of white, I do not remember) and it was 75% off!!! So I paid about $15 only.

    Post Reply
  • Mike says:
    November 26, 2009 at 2:50 am

    I’m going straight to Alsace for Turkey Day. I want something aromatic with a rich texture and plenty of acidity.

    Post Reply
  • Chris says:
    December 3, 2009 at 8:18 pm

    Coppola has a nice Zinfandel and for white I like Barefoot winery’s Pinot Grigio. Clois du Bois has a really good Chardonnay

    For my family that doesn’t drink a lot of wine and isn’t used to it I usually buy the Fetzer Gewurztraminer and that’s what they drink.

    All good choices but wine is really a personal taste. What I find heavenly tasting someone else will think it’s horrible.

    Post Reply

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