Page 153 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2019 PORTUGAL

BY TOM GABLE

Essential Sources for Finding the Best Wine Values

ince starting to write about wine in the from a $15 California Merlot, to a $20 Oregon
1970s as a financial journalist covering Chardonnay or New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc,
the evolution of the California wine in- $30 Bordeaux, $40 Bourgogne (or Rioja Gran
S dustry, as a syn- Reserva or Chianti Clas-
dicated weekly wine sico Riserva), $50
columnist, and then Champagne, to $75
continuing as a free- Brunello di Montalcino
lancer when I switched and Super Tuscan.
to the PR profession, When I started the
I’ve always searched for quest, the California
values from around the wine industry was stir-
world to share with oth- ring, coming out of a
ers. somnambulant era and
It’s easy to write discovering its essential
about the most expen- ingredients for future
sive wines from around success (classic Caber-
the world – the first- net Sauvignon and
growth wines from Bor- Chardonnay). At the
deaux, Grand Crus from time, just two dozen
Burgundy, Grand Reser- Napa, California, winer-
vas from Spain, Super ies were producing
Tuscans from Italy, and much of value and qual-
cult wines from Califor- ity, with a similar num-
nia, to name a few. The ber in Sonoma.
bigger challenge is to I wrote a column in
find the little gems from 1974 for San Francisco
smaller producers, discounted wines from the Magazine on 20 Cabernet Sauvignons under
giants looking to clear inventory, or limited $5. The dependable benchmark was the 1972
editions not selling through the traditional re- Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) Napa Valley Cabernet
tail channels and find excellent values that tit- at $4. The column included a discovery, the
illate the taste buds and are easy on the wallet. first wine from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, its
The definition of value varies widely, de- 1972 Cabernet, at $5 (its 1973 made history
pending upon the wine, the source, and where when it won the 1976 Judgement in Paris
it fits within its category. For example, you can against top Bordeaux wines and Chateau Mon-
find tasty discounted wines at every level, telena beat the Burgundy Grand Crus!).

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