patrick.net

The author is correct.
By coincidence, I have consumed the bottle shown when in Mexico.
I have some anecdotes to relate to this subject, for what it's worth to the reader.
I once knew someone who owned a four wineries, one in Napa.
He wanted to make wine which wasn't expensive, but today he's not around and it's probably expensive.
His original winemaker who was French and was from a famous chateau in Burgundy eventually left Napa and started a winery in Chile.

We had lunch with a wine consultant who was formerly at Robert Mondavi. He said that today excellent wine is $14 or so.
There are thousands of wine brands.
The technique of winemaking has become known and now anyone can make excellent wine if he wants to spend the money on a facility.
UC Davis can teach you about winemaking.

Grapes can grow all over the place, but they don't do well in rainy places, e.g. Florida.

My contribution to this discussion is: Kirkland (Costco) Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2021

I also know that bottle well. TJ has it and I've had many.

My favorite cheap wine of all time was the Salentein Malbec, made in Argentina by a Dutch company:

https://vinepair.com/review/review-bodegas-salentein-reserve-malbec-2015/



That one is not so cheap at $19 because it's the "Reserve" but the non-reserve was great as well. I haven't seen it in stores in years though.

clambo says

Grapes can grow all over the place, but they don't do well in rainy places, e.g. Florida.

Duplin Winery opened up in Panama City Beach and was looking at growing muscadine grapes next to its winery .

Muscadine is the grape of the deep south.

It rains quite a bit in Northern Virginia and there are vineyards about 45 miles west of downtown Washington DC. They do a good job growing the grapes on hills to allow drainage.

Duplin Winery is the Winery of the South. R O L L - T I D E ! ! ! !

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clambo says

Kirkland (Costco) Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2021

Sadly, Costco’s in the Old Line State do not sell alcohol. Red zin’s can be fantastic, and are reportedly related to the Italian Primitivo, also quite good.

Patrick says

Salentein Malbec, made in Argentina

You really can’t go wrong with an Argentinean or Chilean Malbec. I first encountered Malbecs from Australia when I lived in San Diego, back in the day. I think they were $5 or $6 a bottle. I expected it to be grape juice when I bought it, but was knocked out by how good it was.

Likewise, you can’t go wrong with New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. All taste a bit like grapefruit.

I just don't drink wine. Problem solved. Everyone is better off for it. The only booze that makes me a complete angry ass hole. I avoid it at all costs at weddings or events. One tall glass is all it takes and I have a rather large tolerance. I don't know what it is.

Al_Sharpton_for_President says

Likewise, you can’t go wrong with New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. All taste a bit like grapefruit.

Yes! I also discovered that. The Kono Sauvignon Blanc at Trader Joe's is excellent.

Desflurane says

Very surprised. Beautiful dark color with blackberry and oak. This wine is young but should be good by the end of Trumps second term.

I'm not a wine snob, but I like this one. From Chile. The only wines I find I don't like are ones that are too sweet or leave too much aftertaste.