Great holiday wine values from Austin area experts

I keep a close eye on my wine prices. That doesn’t mean that I won’t pay for good wine, but I want to be sure that I know a bargain or a rip-off when I see one. Unfortunately, these days, bargains are harder to find. It seems that all the wine that was ordered when the Euro was worth more than $1.50 is making its way to America just in time for the Holidays.

My shopping survey suggests that the price increases are steepest for Italian and Spanish wines. From Spain for example, Constano’s 2004 Hecula is a good drink that was $9.99 this summer but is now $12.50 or more. Another Spanish wine that has been under $10 forever that is taking a big jump is Marques de Caceres 2004 Rioja Crianza Red, which is now $12.50 or more. From Italy, I bought Tomaresca’s 2006 Puglia for $9.99 about one month ago, and this weekend it was $12.99. And Inama’s 2007 Vin Soave Classico has increased from $14.25 to $16.25. I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.

People in the wine import business tell me that there will be a break later down the road because the dollar has rebounded against the Euro. Today the Euro is trading for about $1.33. Another factor that may slow the upward march of wine prices is the worldwide economic slowdown. Currently, CNN is reporting that prices being paid at auction are falling off their highs of earlier in the year. Recent auctions have seen about a 10% to 15% dip in prices for all but top-tier wines.

So what about wines for the holidays?

This means that help is probably on the way, but it will not get here until after the first of the year. So where do you look for good wines for your holiday celebrations?

I asked three local Austin area experts, John Roenigk from The Austin Wine Merchant, Michael McGovern from Central Market on Lamar, and Karen Dante from Grapevine Market. Here are their picks for beating the most recent wine price increases. (Update: we have also posted Austin-area expert wine recommendations from Molly Sheehan at Twin Liquors on Balcones and Jen Powell from Whole Foods on Lamar.)

Value wine recommendations from John Roenigk

The Austin Wine Merchant’s value white wine suggestions are:

• 2006 Mâcon-Lugny Les Charmes Chardonnay - $9.99 ($101.88 per case)
• 2007 Saint-Véran Joseph Drouhin - $13.75 ($140.28 per case)
• 2007 Laxas Albariño Rias Baixas - $14.99 ($152.88 per case)

The Austin Wine Merchant’s suggested value red wines are:

• 2007 Doña Paula Malbec Luján de Cuyo Mendoza - $11.99 ($122.28 per case)
• 2006 Côtes du Rhône Villages Perrin et Fils - $11.99 ($122.28 per case)
• 2006 Château de Sérame Corbières - $13.75 ($140.28 per case)

Value wine recommendations from Michael McGovern

“The Governor” at Central Market on Lamar for value white wine recommends:

• 2007 Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco - $13.99 ($151.09 per case)
• 2006 Ferraton Pere & Fils Cotes du Rhone Blanc - $14.99 ($161.89 per case)
• 2007 Indaba Chardonnay - $11.99 ($129.49 per case)

The value red recommendations from Michael at Central Market on Lamar are:

• 2005 Ormanni Chianti Classico - $14.95 ($161.46 per case)
• 2005 Borsao Crianza ‘Seleccion’ - $12.95 ($139.86 per case)
• 2007 Casa Viva Pinot Noir - $7.99 ($86.29 per case)

Value wine recommendations from Karen, James, and Lauren

Karen, James, and Lauren from Grapevine Market in Austin suggested these white wines:

• 2006 Kiwi Cuvee Sauvignon Blanc - $8.99 ($91.70 per case)
  • (Grapevine review) Bright, clean French Sauvignon Blanc in a New Zealand style from a Kiwi winemaker. Nothing but fun.
• 2007 Riff Pinot Grigio - $10.99 ($112.10 per case)
  • (Grapevine review) Second label from the great Lageder family winery. All the good you want in a PG at a fabulous price.
• 2006 Domaine Petit Chateau Chardonnay - $11.97 ($122.09 per case)
  • (Grapevine review) The price has gone up a tad but it is still a great party wine for the $$. The number one selling wine at GVM for many years because it is round but not over-oaked with good fruit and just nice in your glass.

The red wines suggested by the Grapevine Market staff are:

• 2007 Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines - $7.99 ($81.50 per case)
  • (Grapevine review) Still lots of bargains from Spain but this is consistently a winner. Lots of dark cherry fruit, smooth and easy-to-drink.
• 2006 Domaine de Servans Cotes du Rhone - $10.99 ($112.90 per case)
  • (Grapevine review) Every customer we give this wine to comes back for more. Friendly enough to go with all sorts of food yet still retains its “Frenchness”. Makes sense to us.
• 2006 Gouguenheim Malbec - $10.99 ($112.90 per case)
  • (Grapevine review) The first time we tasted this wine it blew us away with its lovely flavors, its depth of character and its low low price. The price has gone up a little but it is still so much wine for so little moolah.

I hope these bargain wine suggestions from local retailers help you get through the holiday season without spending all your money. We hope to bring you more bargain wines from other Austin experts and retailers soon.

Check out these related posts:

1. Holiday wine values from Austin experts, round 2
2. The high price of drinking wine in Austin, Texas restaurants
3. Great values for Easter wines
4. Masi, Italian wine giant, to reduce prices in Austin
5. CostCo vs. HEB – Who has cheaper wine in Austin?