As seen in.....

 

 

For the past seven years, the Globe has put together a list of what many shops around Mass. consider to be the best wine values of the year.  The only rule is that the wines have to retail for under $12.

Once the list is decided, a panel of four prominent wine folks taste all the wines BLIND (bottles are stored in paper bags) and decide which ones are the best.  The whole process has become an exciting annual event and is called Plonk-a-Palooza.  

A plonk is basically an inexpensive table wine that delivers great quality for the price.

Last week when the list was released, I hustled to read the Globe and call in orders to make sure we got some of the wines in stock for you to try.  The wines usually sell out quickly.  I only buy the wines that the tasters agreed were the top wines, runner-up, or wines that have been popular at the shop.


Below is the list of several "plonks" that we have in stock now....with more coming next week.   Seriously, get'em while they are hot.  Once they are gone they may not be back and we only have small quantities of each wine. 

In the shop, all of the "plonks" are grouped together and easy to find in the "highly rated" bins.  

Reds:



2008 Italo Pietrantoni  Montepulciano d’Abruzzo  
“Beautifully balanced with good richness and pleasing juicy quality; good concentration; nicely composed. ’’  $11.99




Montupoli Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 
“Ripe, high-toned fruit with cherry keynote; some brine and earth.’’ (2008 was tasted, but the distributor was out of stock for over a month before the article came out.  I got the 2009 instead and it's great.) $10.99


2008 Poggio Romita “Fiorino’’ Chianti  
“Very clean, attractive, slightly raisined aromas; shows a ripasso-like richness; nicely sweet and ripe. ’’  $11.99




2009 Cantina Santa Maria La Palma “Le Bombarde’’ Cannonau di Sardegna
“Really nice fresh quality with some pepper and spice, decent alcohol integration; nice, drier ‘bistro’ red.’’ C.G. $11.99



2010 Vigouroux “Gouleyant’’ Cahors
“Plus  acidity; Italian-like profile; medium-bodied; pleasing fruit.’ $11.99



Whites:

2010 Domaine des Cassagnoles Cotes de Gascogne
“More complex nose; mild fruit and oak; medium long finish; mineral citrus profile; nice acidity.’’ $10.99



2010 Domaine Labbe Abymes Vin de Savoie 
“Off-dry, nice stone fruit. Sweetness, refreshing, slight spritz.’’ $11.99




2010 Domaine La Haute Fevrie Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie
“Vanilla, melon, lemon, lime, minerals. Plus-level acidity.’’ $11.99


2010 Vignarco Orvieto Classico
“Good structure, richer, balanced, good attack, good acidity.’ $9.99



2010 Winzer Krems Kremser Weinzier (Gruner)
“Lovely balance of fruit and acid here; little piney; clean, brisk profile; everything in place; nothing sticking out; tip top.’’ $11.99