$4 Sutter Home Zinfandel California Stater Bros.

This wine usually retails for $3.99 around here, but I picked it up on sale for just $2.79, nice! I'll be honest, with Sutter Home, it's really hit-or-miss. They have some real stinkers. But a few decent ones (like the Gewurstraminer) keep me trying out new ones in hopes of a winner.

So this is a 2010 Zinfandel and to be honest it smells a bit past it's prime. A few more sniffs and I pick up some currants, blackberries and a bit of meatiness. Upon sipping it's not quite as over-ripe as I had feared. It's actually quite bright and grassy. It is lacking fruit of any kind... there is maybe a teensy bit of... no, nothing. Not bad if you like a dry, non-fruity wine. It's got a few flaws, but hey, don't we all?

I give this a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

$5 Barefoot Red Moscato California Vons

Moscato is the new buzzword of wine these days... usually said by wine newbies who "have just discovered the best wine ever!" It is also mentioned in a few rap songs such as "Do it Now" and the ever-popular "No Hands" which have helped drag Moscato into the spotlight. (And here's a fun fact, Moscato is not technically a "dessert wine" as so many of us think.)

So now to add to the Moscato lineup Barefoot recently introduced a RED Moscato. Yes, you read that right. Moscato is made from the muscat grape and is usually made into a sweet white wine, but this one is a red... well more like a really, really dark pink, but close enough.

I have to admit this wine smells delicious. It smells like fruit salad and I almost want to take a bite out of the glass. Melon, peaches, apples, pears and berries... I am in fruit heaven. (Can someone just bottle this smell, please?) Usually Moscato is heavy on the apples and pears, but this has some nice cherry hints which I'm sure are stemming from the red aspect of the wine.

The first sip is very much not like Moscato- in a good way. I find that regular Moscato can be too syrupy, (not unlike the syrup in a can of pears) but this one is so well-balanced with a nice little zip to it, that keeps it refreshingly sweet without being too heavy. Really it's more like a cross between a Moscato and a rosé. It's very well balanced and I would pick this over a regular Moscato any day of the week. Well done, Barefoot!

I give this 5 out of 5 stars

(Warning, as of this post, Barefoot Red Moscato may not be available everywhere since they just unveiled it a few days ago. But it should be everywhere pretty soon... so keep looking if you don't see it right away.

Top 5 Dirt Cheap Wine picks for Valentines Day

As I discussed on my Red Radio segment, here are my top picks for February 14th. These wines selections have been consistently good over the years and affordable. So whether you're buying a bottle for a romantic Valentine dinner or you're trying to drink away the blues on "Single Awareness Day" you can't go wrong with one of these picks.

Sutter Home Moscato
(ultra-sweet white wine)
Moscato is growing in popularity, especially among people who don't consider themselves wine-drinkers. Moscato is made from a very sweet grape and the wine is super-sweet, almost syrupy. It is considered a "dessert wine" because it pairs well with sweet desserts (or Valentine candy) and can also be sipped as a dessert in itself.

Sutter Home Gewurstraminer
(sweet white wine)
This is a nice sweet, white wine that is very fruity with loads of pears, apples and white grapes. It has a very slight effervescence to it and it goes well with lightly sweet desserts as well as light chicken and fish dishes.

Beringer Pinot Grigio
(slightly sweet white wine)
This is a great all-around people pleaser. Even non-wine drinkers can get on board with this one. And it's still drinkable, even if you don't care for overly sweet wines. This wine goes great with fish, chicken and anything with barbecue sauce on it. Think "summertime-in-a-bottle."

Barefoot Zinfandel
(fruity red wine)
This is a favorite red wine of mine. It is slightly "jammy" which means it has loads of fruit flavors. Expect to taste cherries, blackberries and a rich grape flavor. This wine would be excellent paired with dark chocolate.

Black Swan Merlot
(slightly dry red wine)
This is on the dry side and a very drinkable red. It's got a young, grassiness to it, along with cinnamon and nutmeg which gives it a bit of warmth. I even pick up a touch of dried apricot on the finish. This wine would be great paired with a rich Italian red sauce, or a juicy rib-eye.

Bonus Champagne Selection!
Barefoot Pinot Grigio Sparkling Wine
Now technically they can't call it "Champagne" unless it's made in the Champagne region of France... so we have sparkling wine instead. Barefoot has several selections in their new line of sparkling wine, but the best all-around is the Sparkling Pinot Grigio. It's slightly sweet, without being too syrupy, yet it's not too dry. Now I like a good dry sparkling wine, and if you do too, then go with the Barefoot Brut. But if you don't really know what to pick, go with the Pinot Grigio, it's always tasty. Oh, and sparkling wine goes well with a kiss!

Happy Valentines Day! ♥

P.S. In case you decide to gamble on a different choice, you might also want to check out my tips for "fixing a bad bottle of wine."

$2 Hayden- Harlow Pinot Grigio California Stater Bros.

I have been pretty impressed with Hayden-Harlow wines from Stater Bros. The price is nice, and they are quite drinkable but some of them are lacking in depth and character... but hey they're $2 a bottle.

So I have pretty much the same thing to say about the pinot grigio. Totally drinkable, lot's of pears and melon and a tad sweet. A good solid pinot grigio overall, but nothing really stands out and makes me say "wow." But for just two bucks, I think it's a fantastic deal. I have tasted some bad pinot grigio that was much more expensive, so if you want a consistent mild, fruity pinot grigio, this is your best bet. And really, $2? That's cheaper than a Tecate tall boy.

I give this consistent wine a 4 stars out of 5.

$4 Green Fin 2010 White Wine California Trader Joes Organic

Okay, so I have to admit that the 2009 vintage of this wine was less than stellar. But I decided to try the 2010 vintage just in case. Boy, am I glad I did... the 2010 got the vague-ness of "white wine" spot on. Just the right amount of fruitiness, sweetness, tartness... you name it, it has it. It's right up there with a good pinot grigio. I'm usually not a fan of white "table wine" but this one is a winner. I will be buying several more bottles. Did I mention that this wine is made with organic grapes? Well that's just icing on the cake. Drink up!

I give this wine 4 stars out of 5.

$2 Hayden- Harlow Merlot California Stater Bros.

Now that Stater's $1.99 Douglass Hill has gone up a bit in price, I was interested to see the latest edition to the selection of dirt cheap wine. The new $1.99 Hayden~Harlow vineyards collection. I snapped up a bottle of the Merlot to test the waters. I like the concept of the eco-friendly bottle too. Now onto the tasting.

It has a rich, cocoa aroma with some cherries and coke. It is light-bodied and vaguely fruity on the palate with a long and spicy finish. I am a bit disappointed that the overall flavors seem very watered down but the nice finish somewhat makes up for the lack of fruit. Drinkable for sure, but not 100% satisfied.

I give this wine a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

$5 Rex-Goliath Cabernet Sauvignon California Stater Bros.

This wine label boasts a Giant 47 pound rooster on it which according to them, is a testament to their full-bodied, hearty wines. Let's see about that.

The color is nicely purplish and as I swirl it around, the legs are rather syrupy. It smells a bit generic with a strong essence of cinnamon on a fermented berry/cherry base. The first sip yields tight fruits with a nicely balanced acidity. The tannins provide a nice, dry finish. There are hints of berry pie, nutmeg and blue sweet-tarts. Overall, it is a nice, drinkable wine, and I would buy it again.

I give this wine a 4 out of 5 stars.

$2 Charles Shaw Pinot Grigio California Trader Joes

I am a fairly big Pinot Grigio fan and was elated when Charles Shaw came out with their own Pinot Grigio. Previously the only white wines they offered were Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. It has a decent nose, fruity, melon-y with a touch of green apple. The first few sips are a bit astringent with very little of the promised fruit. After a few more sips, my palate adjusted, and the wine became more enjoyable. I still prefer the Sauvignon Blanc, but this is a decent runner-up.

I give this wine a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

$3 Crane Lake 2009 Pinot Grigio California Henry's Market

I'm just gonna lay it out for you- avoid this one at all costs. I usually enjoy Crane Lake, so I was stoked to try this one. It smelled kind of "off" but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. The first sip went from good to bad in about two seconds. For a moment, there was a nice fruitiness but then it was quickly followed by a strong, rancid honey flavor. I tried a few more sips to see if it would iron itself out, but no luck. I let it chill overnight and the next evening, I poured it through a wine aerator... still no luck. That horrible rancid honey taste was overbearing and it was just way to sweet for a Pinot Grigio. As a last ditch effort I chopped up some strawberries and let them soak in the glass for a while which made the wine taste like a bottle of Frutezia.

I give this wine 1 out of 5 stars.

$5 Black Swan Merlot 2009 California Stater Bros.

I am a huge fan of the Black Swan Cabernet Sauvignon so I am hoping the Merlot is nicely done as well. The nose is somewhat bland, very little fruit. The first sip is rather nice though... slightly fruity, with a nice grassiness about it. After a few sips I begin to pick up some nice jammy berry flavors with a touch of cinnamon and dried apricot. It certainly lived up to my expectations. I would definitely buy another bottle.

I give this Merlot a 5 out of 5 stars.

Round Hill $5 White Zinfandel 2009 California Online

White Zinfandel has gotten a bad reputation for several reasons... it lacks complexity, it can be too syrupy and it's a favorite among middle-aged women earning it the affectionate nickname "cougar-juice." But before you pass judgement on the pink stuff, it might be time to revisit White Zinfandel.

I love what is on this bottle, "committed to sustainability" and the label includes all kind of "green" info about the winery and wine. But I guess what's in the bottle is more important.

This particular one doesn't have much in the way of a nose, maybe a light fruitiness, but that's about it. Surprisingly the taste is very fruity and a bit more crisp than a typical White Zin. It also has some floral notes and tropical fruit punch flavors. I would say the sweetness level is a little sweeter than a Reisling, but not too much. This would be perfect served with a fruit salad or a cheesecake. It's sweet and fruity, yet drinkable. Now I remember why White Zin is a great starter wine for those that don't normally drink wine.

I give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars for a White Zinfandel.

Dirt Cheap Wine- Top Picks of 2010

These wines are the ones I found myself re-buying often because they were easy to find, super-affordable and consistently good. Try them out and leave a comment!

#1
Archeo, Nero d'Avola 2007 found at Trader Joes for $4
At first is smells of smoky, woodsy notes, more specifically, pine. But after letting it breathe after a hefty swirl, subtle cherry notes came through. The first sip is quite delicious, a bit read more...

#2
Crane Lake, Pinot Noir 2009 found at Henry's Market for $3
Oh my, does this one smell good! Super-berry aromas with plenty of cherry notes, yum. Smells like something I might taste at a fancy-schmancy winery. But did it deliver? Why yes, it did. This Pinot Noir is very nice, I am impressed. It is full of read more...

#3
Douglass Hill, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 found at Stater Bros. for $2
This one was one of my go-too wines when I wanted something I new would be good. And for the price, you couldn't go wrong. It is very consistent from glass to glass and read more...

#4
Diablo Creek, Pinot Grigio 2009 found at Vons/Safeway for $4
Light and crisp, a bit of citrus and some mango. The first sip is pretty decent, with some green apple and more citrus in the way of lemons and grapefruit. It has a consistently long finish, sip after sip and it seems like it's ...read more

Vinas Chilenas $3 Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Chile Trader Joes

Delightful nose of grapefruit, mango and bursting with bananas. I thought I might need to add an umbrella to my glass. The first couple sips were a bit on the harsh side, very acidic and overly floral. After it had time to be swirled around a bit and mellowed out, it became very likable. The mango and bananas really stand out after you get past the strong bitter floral notes. Drinkable, but not stellar.

I give this wine a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Douglass Hill $2 2009 Syrah California Stater Bros.

Most Douglass Hill wines are quite drinkable, but nothing to write home about, so I my expectations weren't incredibly high when opening this bottle. The color was really pretty, a bright ruby tone and it smelled of cranberries and cherries. The sip was mild, lacking complexity and lightly fruity. It has a medium finish with notes of dark chocolate. Nothing spectacular, but very consistent from the first glass to the third.

I give this wine a 31/2 stars out of 5