12 Under $12: Good Wines, Low Prices
Gary Vaynerchuk's picks wines that are easy on the wallet.
June 1, 2007 — -- Gary Vaynerchuk knows wine.
The director of the Wine Library in Springfield, N.J., and star of the no-holds-barred webcast, "Wine Library TV," has been immersed in the stuff since the age of 16. Read more here.
Vaynerchuk believes a good bottle of wine doesn't have to cost a lot. Check below for his picks for 12 bottles under $12. Look for them at the liquor store, or go to WineLibrary.com to buy them online.
Ruffino Il Leo Chianti 2003: $7.99
Vaynerchuk: "Amazing little Chianti. Everyone needs a nice $8 Italian red for pizza night."
Chateau Le Thys 2002: $10.99
Vaynerchuk: "Bordeaux is a staple and it doesn't have to be $50. Look for this steal."
Borgo Dei Vassalli Pinot Grigio 2005: $9.99
Vaynerchuk: "This is a steal and better than many $15 to $24 Pinot Grigios out there."
Domaine De La Garrigue Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Romaine 2005: $9.99
Vaynerchuk: "Cotes du Rhone is [Trader Joe's] $2 Buck Chuck on steroids. You get so much value. This reminds me of many $30 wines."
San Felipe Merlot: $6.99
Vaynerchuk: "Even though Hollywood tells you merlot stinks, I am like Justin Timberlake, I am bringing merlot back!"
Valdesil Montenovo Godello 2006: $9.99
Vaynerchuk: "Godello is the new hottest white wine in the market. These wines will be double in price in three years after it gets the 'street cred.' Buy up now!"
Laura Hartwig Cabernet Sauvignon 2004: $9.99
Vaynerchuk: "Chile has long been known for value but this cabernet smokes most Cali cabs twice the price!"
La-piece Sous Le Bras Rouge 2005: $9.99
Vaynerchuk: "This red blend from the Rhone Valley reminds me you can get serious wine for under 10 bones!"
Panarroz Jumilla Red 2005: $5.99
Vaynerchuk: "Spain is loaded with values but when you can buy two of these bottles for $12 I feel like I am hanging with Michael J. Fox and going back 20 years! Prices like this are rare for wines of this caliber."
Amaroo Chardonnay: $8.99
Vaynerchuk: "With Yellow Tail dominating people's minds, it's sad that a serious wine like this at $9 gets overlooked. This is what I call a joke. It's funny how good this is for the money."
One + One = Three Brut: $10.99
Vaynerchuk: "Say it with me C-A-V-A -- cava is the sparkling wine that is a third of the price of champagne and honestly can hang right there with their rivals from France."
Murphy's Law Red 2005: $11.99
Vaynerchuk: "Washington state has a serious chance to make us all forget about California. I am serious -- what is happening in the Northwest right now has the potential to change the wine world!"