There are wines that have a place in every home. They are great with a pasta on Wednesday nights, the right choice to bring to a friend’s house for a casual dinner and it is no tragedy if you use them to cook with: They are enjoyable right from the bottle, always a pleasure and -very important- they are affordable. All these qualities unite so called “everyday wines”.
However, what makes a truly good everyday bottle? Here are some expert tips on how to shop for table wines along with some recommendations guiding you through the jungle of offers:
- Go for younger vintages: Easy-drinking wines usually don’t age particularly well.
- Keep an eye on the alcohol content: if you drink a glass or two during the week, an alcohol content of 15% or more could make you next day’s work quite hard. Stick to wines with an alcohol content between 12-14% – you won’t do something wrong
- Rely on your favorite grape varietals or wine region. Taste is very subjective, some people love pinot noir, for others even a top rated pinot noir from burgundy is not worth drinking. So, take time to try new wines and varieties from regions all around the world and find your personal favorites.
I’ve spent the last month asking my friends for their favorite everyday bottles. I brought them together and compiled a list. The result is amazing and my wine cellar enriched by some more great bottles.
Germany:
Name of Wine: Ansgar Clüsserath – vom Schiefer
Origin: Germany – Mosel Saar Ruwer
Price in EUR: 9,20
United States:
Name of Wine: Ridge – Lytton Springs
Origin: USA- California
Personal Taste: Zinfandel – Black Cherry, pomegranat, mint and sweet spices.
Price in EUR: 23,50
France:
Name of Wine: Domaine Courbissac – Les Traverses
Origin: France – Languedoc
Price in EUR: 11,50
Italy:
Name of Wine: Cirelli – Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Origin: Italy – Abruzzo
Price in EUR: 11,00
Switzerland:
Name of Wine: Domaine Louis Bovard – Chasselas Terre a Boire Epesses
Origin: Switzerland – Waadt
Personal Taste: Pear, Almond, Honey
Price in EUR: 22,80
Spain:
Name of Wine: Recaredo – Terrers Brut Nature Gran Reserva
Personal Taste: Spain – Penedes
Price in EUR: 22,00
Australia:
Name of Wine: Penfolds – Koonunga Hill
Origin: Australia – Barossa Valley
Personal Taste: Blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Plums and black pepper & black cherries.
Price in EUR: 9,95
New Zealand:
Name of Wine: Craggy Range – Te Muna Road Vineyards
Origin: New Zealand – Hawkes Bay
Personal Taste: Perfect everyday Sauvigong Blanc
Price in EUR: 17,95
Argentina
Name of Wine: Puro, Dieter Meier, Malbec
Origin: Mendoza
Personal Taste: fruity and smooth, perfect with meat, pasta and a BBQ
Price in EUR: 17.50
