Bargain bottles - The Washington Post

Bargain bottles

★★★Exceptional ★★Excellent★Very Good

Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.

Here’s my monthly list of bargain wines that outperform for their low price ($9 to $16). Included are two rosés from southern France, each a bargain in different styles, and a charming red from Portugal that doesn’t even reach double-digits in price.

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier 2011

★★1 / 2

California, $15

Long a great-value white from California, this wine is creeping up in price, which is a shame. But the quality is still there: vibrant fruit and racy acidity that keeps it fresh. Try to save some for dinner. It goes great with a variety of summer foods.

Winebow/Bacchus/Country Vintner: Widely available in the District, including at Bell Wine & Spirits, Best D.C. Supermarket, Cairo Wine & Liquor, Calvert Woodley, Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits, Circle Wine & Liquor, Connecticut Avenue Wine & Liquor, Continental Wine & Liquor, Cowgirl Creamery, Dean & DeLuca, Georgetown Wine & Spirits, Local Vines, MacArthur Beverages, Magruder’s, Morris Miller Wine & Liquor, P&C Market, Paul’s of Chevy Chase, Pearson’s, Potomac Wine & Spirits, Rodman’s, Schneider’s of Capitol Hill, Trader Joe’s, all Whole Foods Market locations, Wine Specialist. Available in Maryland at Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits and Eastport Liquors in Annapolis; Blue Wind Gourmet in Lexington Park; Calvert Wine & Spirits in Hunt Valley; Corridor Wine & Spirits in Laurel; Eddie’s of Roland Park, Graul’s Wine & Spirits, North Charles Fine Wine & Spirits and Wells Discount Liquors in Baltimore; Frederick Wine House; Gilly’s Craft Beer & Fine Wine and World Market in Rockville; Grape Expectations in Gaithersburg; I.M. Wine in Fulton; Jason’s Wine & Spirits in Ellicott City; Mays Chapel Wine & Spirit Shop in Timonium; Montgomery County Liquor Stores in Kensington and Rockville; Rodman’s in White Flint; Roots Market in Olney; Wine Harvest in Potomac; Wine Merchant in Lutherville. Available in Virginia at Arrowine and Grand Cru in Arlington; Balducci’s and Unwined in Alexandria; Cheesetique in Alexandria and Shirlington; Norm’s Beer & Wine in Vienna; all local locations of Total Wine & More, Wegmans and Whole Foods Market.

Mas de Bressades Cabernet-Syrah 2010

★★1 / 2

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Pays du Gard, France, $16

Producer Cyril Mares labels this wine “Les Vignes de Mon Pere,” and his respect for his father’s vines and wines shows through in this lovely, lively red that is ideal for summer grilling. It is another great red from the terrific 2010 vintage in southern France.

Kacher/Washington Wholesale/Reliable Churchill: Available in the District at Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits, Dixie Liquor, MacArthur Beverages, Whole Foods Market P Street. Available in Maryland at Carrolltown Liquors in Sykesville, Enchanted Forest Wine & Spirits in Ellicott City, Perfect Pour in Elkridge, Quarry Wine & Spirits and Wine Source in Baltimore, Vineyards Elite in Pikesville.

Chateau Grande Cassagne Rosé 2011

★★1 / 2

Costieres de Nimes, France, $11

A bright red rosé that bursts with juicy strawberry flavors and refreshing acidity, the wine has a hint of sweetness that probably comes from ripe fruit. Think of this in the Tavel style of rosé, with its deeper red color. An excellent value that you will probably have trouble keeping in your glass.

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Kacher/Washington Wholesale/Reliable Churchill: Available in the District at Calvert Woodley, Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits, Dixie Liquors, Pearson’s, Rodman’s, all Whole Foods Market locations. Widely available in Maryland.

Coeur de Cep Rosé 2011

Coteaux Varois en Provence, France, $10

More in the style of Provence, this pale pink rosé has subtle melon flavors to match its lighter color. It’s a delicious wine, refreshing and with acidity to match even heartier summer dishes.

M Touton Selection: Available in the District at Barrel House Liquors, Best in Liquors, Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, Market at Columbia Plaza, Paul’s of Chevy Chase, Rodman’s. Available in Maryland at Franklin Liquors in Ijamsville, Old Farm Liquors in Frederick, Silesia Liquors in Fort Washington, Wine Bin in Ellicott City. Available in Virginia at Cork & Fork in Gainesville, Crystal City Wine Shop, Fern Street Gourmet in Alexandria, Marvelous Market in Arlington; on the list at Yves’ Bistro in Alexandria.

Jean Dumont Muscadet de Sevre et Maine 2010

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Loire Valley, France, $10

Muscadet, made with the grape melon de Bourgogne (although the area is nowhere near Burgundy), is typically a dry, mineral white that cries out for oysters. This example from the ripe 2010 vintage lives up to the grape’s name with lush melon flavors and a lovely, refreshing finish.

J.W. Sieg: Available in the District at Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits. Available in Virginia at All About Wine in Tappahannock, J. Emerson Fine Wines & Cheese in Richmond, Unwined in Alexandria and Belleview.

Alta Corte 2008

Lisboa, Portugal, $9

I’ve made no secret of my love for Portuguese wines, and this tasty little red waves the flag quite well. It’s a blend of caladoc (a rare cross of grenache and malbec) and tinta roriz, the Portuguese name for tempranillo. This would make an excellent house red for the summer, though you might want to break into a chorus of fado.

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Dionysus: Available in the District at Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, Rodman’s, Wagshal’s Market, all Whole Foods Market locations. Available in Maryland at Bradley Food & Beverage and Montgomery Gourmet Beer & Wine in Bethesda, Chesapeake Wine Co. and Wine Source in Baltimore, Iron Bridge Wine Co. in Columbia, Wine Bin in Ellicott City, Wishing Well Liquors in Easton; on the list at Red Red Wine in Annapolis. Available in Virginia at Iron Bridge Wine Co. in Warrenton, Whole Foods Market in Vienna, WineStyles in Chantilly.

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