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Home » Kitchen » White Wine » Cheap Riesling

Cheap Riesling, Cheap Sauvignon Blanc

Related Guides: Champagne and Cheap Red Wine

Riesling.

Riesling is a well-known white wine grape from Germany that now grows in Alsace, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, upstate New York, California, and Washington. The growing conditions and timing of the harvest strongly affect the character of the wine, which may be dry, semi-sweet, sweet, or sparkling. Regardless of the style, riesling grapes produce wines filled with floral and fruit aromas and tasting of fresh fruit -- a bit of citrus, a tad of apple. In its dryer states, the residual sugars and natural acidity make it a good wine for many foods, from fish and pork to spicy Asian cuisines.

Our top riesling pick (and high atop our list of favorite whites), in fact, is German -- Dr. Loosen Red Slate (starting at $9.99, Amazon). This wine scores big with experts for underlying flavors of pear, apple, and peach (and a snip of minerality) along with an acidity and finish that make the 2009 vintage a match for brunch, dessert, or savory Asian noodles. From Washington comes Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling (starting at $8.49, Amazon), whose 2010 vintage won a gold prize at the 2011 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition; white wine reviews say it shows off flavors such as lime and pear, apple candy and celery leaf, while hewing to a dry and tart finish. Pacific Rim Riesling (starting at $7.99, Amazon) is produced by a Washington vineyard known for this varietal, and the 91-point review of the 2011 vintage says it is dense and intense with an exceptionally long finish.

Sauvignon Blanc.

Sauvignon blanc is originally a French grape but now grows in regions with cooler climates, including Canada and Chile; New Zealand and Australia are well-known for varietal sauvignon blanc wines. Sun levels during the growing season and degree of ripeness at harvest affect the finished product, and under the right conditions sauvignon blanc wines will be dry, crisp, and tangy with hints of melon, citrus, bell peppers, and even grass. California vintners sometimes call this wine fume blanc; experts say the California style ranges from quite dry to fairly sweet, and the wines often have a high alcohol content. Sauvignon blanc is a versatile wine that stands up to pungent tastes, such as garlic and tomato, and also works with cheese, fish, and even sushi.

We found good cheap sauvignon blanc wines from Washington, California, Chile, and New Zealand. Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Sauvignon Blanc (starting at $8.49, Amazon), one of our picks for best cheap white wine, shows off flavors of pear, green apple, lemon, and lime, according to white wine reviews, in a light, mildly acidic body that still manages to feel silky on the palate; try it with aged Gouda. Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi 2011 Sauvignon Blanc (starting at $6.49, Amazon) is perfect for pairing with seafood and was described by a blogger as surprisingly complex and a good value. From Chile comes Veramonte Reserva Sauvignon Blanc (starting at $8.99, Amazon), a spicy and complex wine with well-balanced peach, apple, and melon flavors and undertones of grapefruit that scores with reviewers commenting on Wine.com. Another good buy is Brancott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (starting at $8.99, Amazon); past varietals have received gold medal awards and this wine commonly scores in the high 80s.

by Louis DeNicola (Google+ Profile)

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Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Sauvignon Blanc Review
Dr. Loosen Red Slate Riesling Review
2011 Bodini Chardonnay Review

Jacob's Creek Chardonnay

 

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