By “ol’ reliable” I mean the wine is:
1) Under $30 USD
2) Widely-distributed/relatively easy to find
3) Delicious, consistent crowd-pleaser with high food-versatility
My top picks would be:
La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva
GD Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo
Pierre Sparr Cremant D’Alsace (Blanc or Rosé)
Bedrock Old Vine Zin
Gobelsburg Gruner Veltliner
Raul Perez Ultreia St Jacques Mencia
Zarate Albariño
by wineshopmingo
35 Comments
Tornatore Etna Rosso and Bianco
Rieussec “R” as my white (Semillon and sauv Blanc, delicious)
For my red? Hard to pick a specific with those constraints, because mine is Cristom Mt Jefferson, but that’s almost $40.
So I’m gonna pick whatever Cru Beaujolais I have in my cellar below $30 as my old reliable.
Campo Viejo is one of my favorite reds under $10. Easy to enjoy and it’s damn near everywhere.
Ridge zin has been frequently complimented when I bring it around.
Dr loosen
Kirkland Malbec and La Crema Chardonnay as table wines
E. Guigel Cotes du Rhone
Antinori Tuscan Red ( Cabernet forward blend)
Beronia Rioja Reserva
Bieler et Fils Rose
Labet Cremant du Borgogne blanc de blancs
Davinci Chianti
Marques de Riscal
Villa Antinori
CVNE Crianza, Guigal CdR.
Baudry – Les Granges – Chinon
Raul Perez Ultreia Godello is an excellent sub $30 white
Beaujolais, Morgon cote du py or fleurie, from jean foillard. Both bangers
Marques de Riscal- Rioja
Michele Chiarlo Il Principe – Nebbiolo
Chateau Lilian Ladouys – Bordeaux
Guigal Côtes du Rhône
Catena Zapata Malbec – red
M de minuty – rosé
A white rioja – white
Juan Gil silver and famile Perrin reserve
Au Bon Climat. Just an all time classic for a reason
Viña Alberdi is one of mine.
Also Marquez de Murrieta reserva and anything Pesquera or Emilio Moro
Louis Jadot – any varietal
A to Z pinot noir
Love Vina Alberdi.
Anything from 1865 is good.
Au Bon Climat.
Vina Ardanza.
Macon Villages.
Anything Kermit Lynch imports, especially White Bordeaux.
This is actually insanely accurate from OP and the rest of comments. Some of these are ridic bargains with substance.
Herman j Weimer dry Riesling
Brancaia Tre
Il Bruciato
Etna Rosso Terre Nere or Vietti Barbera Vigna Scarrone.
Muga Reserva.
Tommasi Graticcio Appassionato.
Marques de Riscal (Rioja)
Cloudline (Willamette Valley Pinot Noir)
I also generally find Mary Taylor wines to be surprisingly and reliably decent.
Feudi di San Gregorio Greco di Tufo or Falangina
Sommariva Valdobbiadene Prosecco
Seghesio Zinfandel
Alot of dry French/South African Chenin Blanc, usually around $10-$15
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz-Cabernet
Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico
La Rioja Alta Vina Alberti Réserva is an elite choice. You know ball.
Vietti Trevie Barbera
Produttori del Barbaresco and Vajra Langhe Neb
Louis Jadot Macon or their Pouilly-Fuisse.
Villa Antinori
Any reserva rioja.