Value Brands of the Year
From the Old World and the New, these are the names you need to know. An exclusive W&S report.
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Standout: A fresh, leesy ’07 Oregon Riesling ($12) with ripe apple fruit and a citrusy finish.
Where: Oregon, with fruit drawn from all regions—the Willamette, Rogue and Applegate valleys, as well as the Columbia Gorge.
When: Pair the Riesling with smoked salmon; the ample, appley flavors of the '07 Pinot Gris will stand up to a grilled tuna steak.
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What: Consistent wines with straightforward appeal, providing a snapshot of Oregon.
| Bad Dog Ranch | |
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Standout: The ’07 California Chardonnay ($10) balances ripe tropical fruit with gentle acidity.
Where: Sonoma, California, with fruit sourced up and down the Golden State.
When: The ’07 Chardonnay has the cut for roast chicken. Pour the ’06 California Pinot Noir (also $10) at a summer barbecue.
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What: Easygoing varietal wines that are great party pours or everyday go-to selections for casual dinners.
| Charles Smith Wines | |
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Standout: The nervy ’07 Kung Fu Girl Riesling ($12), sourced from Washington vineyard sites that reflect the region's cool autumns.
Where: Columbia Valley, Washington State.
When: As the name implies, Kung Fu Girl can take the heat of spicy Asian dishes. The lush Velvet Devil Merlot ($15) is built for barbecue.
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What: Solid, reliable wines from ebullient Washington fruit blended by Charles Smith of K Vintners and The Magnificent Wine Company.
| Clos du Bois | |
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Standout: The '06 Reserve Chardonnay ($17) is a gateway wine to the silky, cool wines of the Russian River Valley.
Where: Geyserville, California, sourcing most of its fruit from growers in the North Coast.
When: Serve the refreshing North Coast Sauvignon Blanc ($12) as an aperitif. Pour the Reserve Chardonnay with Dover sole.
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What: Fresh, unadorned wines from Sonoma County and California's North Coast.
| Columbia Crest | |
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Standout: The '05 H3 Cabernet Sauvignon ($15) balances earthy aromas and dark, assertive fruit flavors.
Where: Horse Heaven Hills, Washington State.
When: Pour the '06 Grand Estates Merlot ($11) with lean roast beef. Enjoy the H3 Cabernet Sauvignon with grilled short ribs.
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What: Accessible wines from Washington's largest-production winery, including the fruit-driven, savory H3 wines emblematic of the Horse Heaven Hills.
| Hayman & Hill | |
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Standout: A fresh, pine-scented '07 Columbia Valley Riesling ($15).
Where: Wines are sourced from all over California as well as Washington's Columbia Valley.
When: Uncork the Riesling for Sichuan noodles; crack open the ’06 Napa Valley Reserve Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($15) for burgers.
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What: Approachable, value-oriented varietal wines with a sense of regional character.
| Hogue | |
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Standout: A rich, satisfying 2006 Columbia Valley Syrah ($16) from the Genesis tier, with lush fruit buoyed by its energetic structure.
Where: Prosser, Washington, sourcing fruit throughout the Columbia Valley.
When: The Genesis Syrah is ideal for barbecue; keep the Columbia Valley Pinot Grigio and Riesling ($9) on hand for summer aperitifs.
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What: Light, crisp whites and generous syrah from Washington's Columbia Valley.
| Jekel | |
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Standout: The '06 Gravelstone Chardonnay ($11), with its fresh, lemonlike acidity.
Where: From vineyards in California's Salinas Valley.
When: The Chardonnay is excellent with fresh crab, while the '07 Riesling ($12) has enough acidity to tackle Thai food.
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What: Balanced, cool-climate wines—particularly whites—from Monterey County.
| Kenwood | |
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Standout: The '06 Zinfandel ($14), a classic California zin with spicy red berry fruit.
Where: From its base in Kenwood, the winery sources grapes throughout Sonoma County.
When: The limey, clean '07 Sauvignon Blanc ($13) is a great match for ceviche. Try the Zinfandel with sausage pizza.
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What: Old-school Sonoma County reds and whites.
| McManis | |
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Standout: The '07 Pinot Noir ($11) is one of the best deals in good, cheap California pinot.
Where: From vineyards near the San Joaquin and Stanislaus rivers in California's Central Valley.
When: The Pinot Noir suits a grilled pork chop, while the '07 Petite Sirah ($11) has the ripe tannins to take on meaty Mexican dishes.
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What: Big, easy-drinking California reds.
| Sawbuck | |
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Standout: The '06 Yolo Malbec ($15) is jammy and rich, a flavor-packed alternative to cabernet or merlot.
Where: Graton, Sonoma, sourcing grapes from Mendocino and Yolo counties.
When: The '06 Mendocino Chardonnay ($10) has the acidity and weight for scallops, while the Yolo Malbec is made for grilled steak.
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What: A Crew Wine Company label, Sawbuck turns out wines with bold flavors and clean acidity.
| Sheldrake Point | |
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Standout: The savory, mineral, exotic '07 Finger Lakes Riesling ($16).
Where: A vineyard and winery overlooking Cayuga Lake in New York's Finger Lakes region.
When: The Riesling has the build to stand up to veal and lean pork dishes; the clean, rose-scented '07 Finger Lakes Gewurztraminer ($17) has the grip for white sausages and lentils.
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What: An exceptional range of cool-climate, Alsace varietal wines.
| Críos de Susana Balbo | |
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Standout: The delicate and flowery Mendoza Torrontés ($15), consistently one of the best examples of the grape.
Where: In the traditional Luján de Cuyo area of Mendoza.
When: Drink the '08 Torrontés before dinner, and take the '07 Mendoza Malbec ($15) to your Sunday barbecue.
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What: Some of Argentina's best values.
| Norton | |
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Standout: The 2008 Mendoza Malbec ($11) tastes like freshly pressed cherries and blackberries, with a seductively sweet finish.
Where:The winery consists of five farms in Mendoza, which gives the winery more than 3,000 acres of vines from which to source fruit.
When: Enjoy the '08 Lo Tengo Torrontés ($11) with a green papaya salad, and the Malbec with a steak in chimichurri.
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What: Consistently delicious malbec and torrontés.
| Sur de los Andes | |
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Standout: The 2007 Mendoza Malbec ($11), with its lively aromas of cherries and violets.
Where: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, sourcing grapes from Mendoza's higher altitudes.
When: Pair the Malbec with a juicy bison burger; the sweet-yet-firmly tannic '07 Mendoza Bonarda ($11) is made for steak.
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What: Juicy, straightforward bonarda, malbec and cabernet sauvignon from a winery founded in 2005 by entrepreneur Guillermo Banfi.
| Robert Oatley | |
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Standout: The 2008 Western Australia Sauvignon Blanc ($18) is redolent of green herbs and limes, finishing dry and crisp.
Where: Oatley's vineyards are in the Mudgee district of New South Wales; he also sources sauvignon blanc from Western Australia.
When: Serve the Sauvignon Blanc with a Thai calamari salad. The light, bright Mudgee Sangiovese ($18) matches bouillabaisse, while the creamy, citric Mudgee Chardonnay ($18) is good any time of the day.
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What: A new brand from Robert Oatley, the man behind Rosemount.
| Tahbilk | |
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Standout: The citrusy, spicy 2006 Nagambie Lakes Marsanne ($14).
Where: The Nagambie Lakes in Victoria, a region of red sandy loam soil surrounded by lakes and lagoons linked by the Goulburn River.
When: Ice down the rich, peachy '06 Viognier ($14) poolside. Break out the Marsanne when sea scallops hit the dinner table, or, better yet, cellar it for a decade.
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What: Old-vine Rhône varieties with serious aging potential from one of Australia's oldest wineries, founded in 1860.
| Yalumba | |
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Standout: The silky, blueberry-rich 2006 Patchwork Shiraz ($18), a red that's both robustly ripe and vividly fresh.
Where: Yalumba's base is in Angaston, the heart of the Barossa Valley; the winery also farms The Menzies Vineyards in Coonawarra.
When: Anytime there's a cookout. Try the tart Barossa Bush Vine Grenache ($17), in particular, with roast lamb; the minty, tea-scented Y Series Cabernet Sauvignon ($13) is terrific with burgers.
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What: Rich reds from South Australia.
| Carmen | |
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Standout: The 2005 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ($16) is warm and sweetly spiced.
Where: Alto Jahuel, in the southern reaches of Alto Maipo.
When: Choose the Reserva Cabernet from the steakhouse list, or pair the voluptuous 2005 Reserva Petite Sirah ($16) with lamb chops.
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What: Reliable reds from the Andean foothills, in Chile's Maipo Valley.
| Casas del Bosque | |
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Standout: The spicy, meaty 2006 Gran Reserva Syrah ($16).
Where: Lower Casablanca, the coolest part of the valley.
When: The crisp 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Gran Reserva ($16) is ideal for scallop sashimi. Open the Gran Reserva Syrah for lamb curry.
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What: Super sauvignon blanc as well as an array of well-structured, cool-climate reds.
| Concha y Toro | |
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Standout: The 2006 Casillero del Diablo Reserva Privada ($17), a blend of cabernet sauvignon and syrah, with exuberant strawberry and blackberry flavors.
Where: Headquartered in Pirque, Concha y Toro sources grapes from every major wine area in Chile.
When: Start the meal with the crystalline and refreshing 2008 Casillero del Diablo Shiraz Rosé ($12), and pour the Casillero Reserva Privada with meat empanadas.
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What: A vast array of value-priced wines from Chile's biggest winery.
| Los Vascos | |
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Standout: The 2008 Casablanca Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($14), filled with refreshing grapefruit flavors.
Where: An 8,895-acre estate in Peralillo, in the Colchagua Valley, 1,433 acres of which are planted to vines.
When: Drink the Sauvignon Blanc with sea bass ceviche. The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($12) is a great by-the-glass pour.
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What: Crisp, juicy sauvignon blanc and ripe cabernet sauvignon from Lafite-Rothschild's venture in Chile.
| Tabalí | |
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Standout: The 2007 Limarí Valley Reserva Syrah ($15), a delicious blend of fresh herbs and luscious blackberry flavors.
Where: The coastal Limarí Valley, north of Santiago, near the southern edge of the Atacama Desert.
When: Pair the opulent 2008 Reserva Viognier ($12) with fried sardines. Enjoy the Reserva Syrah with Camembert cheese, and the herbal, generously fruited '07 Reserva Carmenère ($15) with charcuterie.
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What: Viognier, carmenère and syrah from one of the pioneers of Chile's Limarí Valley.
| Tamaya | |
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Standout: The 2007 Reserva Viognier–Chardonnay ($13), with its creamy guava and peach flavors.
Where: The Limarí Valley, 250 miles north of Santiago.
When: Chill the '08 Limari Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($9) for oysters on the half shell; try the Reserva Viognier–Chardonnay with tempura. The 2007 Reserva Syrah ($13) will pair well with smoked pork chops.
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What: Firm, mineral-laced whites and muscular syrah from Chile's Limarí Valley.
| Louis Bernard | |
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Standout: A fragrant, detailed 2007 Côtes du Rhône Villages Chartreuse de Bonpas ($13).
Where: The winery's estate vineyards are just outside of Avignon in Caumont-sur-Duranc; it also relies on 15 local growers who work under long-term contract.
When: Pull out the waxy, round Côtes du Luberon ($11) white for grilled fish; pack away cases of the Chartreuse de Bonpas for lamb all summer and winter long. Take the organically grown Le Garrigon ($13) on a picnic with buttered ham sandwiches.
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What: Simple, earthy red Rhône blends with local personality.
| Gérard Bertrand | |
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Standout: The 2006 Syrah–Mourvèdre blend from Corbières ($18), a plush red with an intense red cherry core.
Where: The winery is in Narbonne, with more than 600 acres of vineyards spread throughout the Languedoc. Bertrand has estates in the appellations of Corbières, Coteaux de Languedoc, La Clape, Limoux, Minervois la Livinière and the Vin de Pays d'Oc.
When: Keep the clean, easy $15 Vin de Pays d'Oc Chardonnay on hand for aperitifs; the Minervois ($18) is light enough for pork chops, while the Corbières ($18) can go in for a beef daube.
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What: Soft, lush reds and whites from the Languedoc estate of a former rugby player.
| Marquis de Goulaine | |
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Standout: The fresh, lively 2007 La Roseraie Rosé d'Anjou ($10).
Where: The Château de Goulaine, in the Muscadet region near Nantes.
When: The 2007 Muscadet ($11) is a classic white wine for oysters and other shellfish, while the Rosé d'Anjou is suited to light charcuterie.
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What: Muscadet and other crisp, light Loire Valley wines from a 1,000-year old château.
| E&M Guigal | |
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Standout: The 2007 Côtes du Rhône ($13), a quiet white that builds marzipan and quince flavors into a complex, long-lasting finish.
Where: Based in Ampuis, Guigal owns vineyards in Côte Rôtie and Condrieu, and sources grapes from all over the Rhône.
When: The white will elevate a simple chicken or fish dinner to something special; the savory, rosemary-scented Côtes du Rhône red ($14) can transport a meaty dish to the south of France.
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What: An extensive array of Rhône Valley wines firmly tethered by excellent, affordable Côtes du Rhônes.
| Rémy Pannier | |
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Standout: The 2007 Chinon ($16) is fragrant and refreshing, with a gravelly minerality.
Where: St-Hilaire-St-Florent, near Saumur in France's Loire Valley.
When: Take the Chinon on a summer picnic, along with a bottle of the cool, sleek Vouvray Vallée des Jardins ($14) for charcuterie. Pour the zesty '07 Touraine Vallée des Jardins Sauvignon Blanc ($13) on any warm evening.
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What: A range of easygoing wines from appellations across the Loire.
| St. Urbans-Hof | |
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Standout: The floral, citrusy 2007 Riesling QbA ($11), a terrific value for the price.
Where: The village of Leiwen, in Germany's Mosel Valley.
When: With its low alcohol, lively acidity and steely minerality, the Mosel Riesling is refreshing and friendly to a range of foods. The spicy, rich '07 Mosel Kabinett Ockfener Bockstein Riesling ($18) has the body for schnitzel.
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What: Racy, minerally rieslings from renowned vineyards in both the Middle Mosel and the Saar.
| Boutari | |
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Standout: The 2005 Naoussa ($18), a textbook example of truffle-scented Naoussa reds.
Where: Boutari has called Naoussa home since 1879; it now has vineyards and wineries all over the country, including Crete and Santorini.
When: The lavender scents and sweet orange flavors of the '07 Mantinia Moschofilero ($17) make it a refreshing choice any time of the day or evening; the '05 Kretikos red ($13) is a reliable backyard burger pour. Save the Naoussa for a wild mushroom risotto.
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What: Elegant wines that show off the best of Greece's native grapes.
| Cambas | |
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Standout: The sweet, plummy Mavrodaphne of Patras ($11) and the 2003 Nemea Reserve ($12), a mellow, traditionally styled red.
Where: From its base in Pikermi, in Attica, the winery sources grapes throughout the Peloponnese.
When: Start with the fresh, broad '06 Peloponnese Chardonnay ($11) for summer sipping; save the soft '04 Korinthia red ($10) for winter stews; pour the Mavrodaphne in place of Port after dinner.
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What: Affordable, traditional wines from the Peloponnese.
| Kourtaki | |
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Standout: The 2007 Kourtaki's Kouros Patras ($10), fresh, bright and delicate with pithy lemon flavors and a hint of florality.
Where: Markopoulo, just northeast of Athens; the winery sources grapes from all over the country.
When: All the Kourtaki whites (including the Retsina [$7], for converts) are welcome on any hot day or night, on their own or with grilled octopus; pour the honeyed Samos Muscat ($11) in lieu of dessert.
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What: Clean, refreshing renditions of Greek classics.
| Feudo Arancio | |
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Standout: The '07 Nero d'Avola, chewy and rich—a lot of wine for under $10.
Where: The south coast of Sicily, with wineries in Acate and Sambuca.
When: The full-bodied '07 Grillo ($9) has the cut for cured meats, while the concentrated Nero d'Avola and the ripe '07 Salice Salentino ($13) will match braised short ribs.
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What: Fruit-forward expressions of Sicily's indigenous grapes and a range of international varieties.
| Rapitalà | |
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Standout: The '07 Sicilia Campo Reale Nero d'Avola ($12), with its minty, pine-forest coolness and lasting fresh blackberry flavors.
Where: Camporeale, a mountainous area in the inland of Sicily.
When: The Nero d'Avola's dense, chewy texture makes it an ideal match for spicy grilled sausages; the '05 Nuar Nero d'Avola–Pinot Nero ($16) is a terrific spaghetti red.
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What: Full-scale whites and intense reds from deep in the hills of Sicily.
| Velenosi | |
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Standout: The 2007 Lacrima di Morro d'Alba ($16), an unusual and aromatic dry red.
Where: Le Marche, Italy
When: Match the '07 Lacrima to a pizza topped with just-crushed, sweet San Marzano tomatoes. The Rosso Piceno ($16) is for heartier fare, like roast meats.
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What: Distinctive wines made from varieties indigenous to Italy's Adriatic coast.
| Vinosia | |
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Standout: The spicy, fresh, blackberry-scented 2007 Primitivo ($11), a refreshing alternative to shiraz or zinfandel.
Where: Based in Avellino, in Campania, Vinosia sources grapes from growers in Puglia.
When: The bright '07 Fiano di Avellino ($15) will pair well with fresh-caught seafood; the Primitivo wants a wild mushroom pizza.
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What: Wines from varieties indigenous to Campania and Puglia crafted in an international style.
| Aveleda | |
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Standout: The 2007 Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde ($9), made from the Guedes family's best selection of loureiro, trajadura and alvarinho, is filled with peach fruit and saline acidity.
Where: Penafiel, northeast of Porto, in the hills of Vinho Verde.
When: Is there ever a bad time for a stellar $9 bottle of wine? Serve the Quinta da Aveleda with grilled langoustines. Or open the tart-berried and schisty '05 Charamba ($7) to pour grill-side.
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What: A range of top-notch Vinho Verde and Douro wines at prices that encourage overindulgence.
| Quinta do Portal | |
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Standout: The ripe, fruit-laden 2005 Douro red ($16), unmistakably Douro in its schisty tannins.
Where: Sabrosa, north of Pinhão, sourcing wines from four quintas.
When: Cellar these wines next to your grill tongs. When the tongs come out, pour the peppery 2006 Douro Red ($17) with brisket and the '05 with a butterflied leg of lamb.
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What: Layered, soil-driven reds from estate vineyards in Portugal's Douro Valley.
| Fleur du Cap | |
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Standout: The 2007 Coastal Region Unfiltered Chardonnay ($18), with its fresh pear and tart, green grape-skin flavors.
Where: South- and east-facing vineyards in Stellenbosch, in the southwest of South Africa, near Cape Town.
When: Chill the spicy, herbal 2007 Western Cape Sauvignon Blanc ($10), then start shucking some oysters. Follow it up with the Unfiltered Chardonnay for a refreshing accompaniment to sole.
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What: Crisp, contemporary white wines from South Africa's Coastal Range.
| Sebeka | |
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Standout: The clean, crisp '08 Western Cape Chenin Blanc ($10).
Where: Sourced from vineyards in Swartland, Stellenbosch, Paarl and other sites in the Western Cape.
When: The Chenin Blanc has the leesy richness for pan-roasted fish; the inky-dark '07 Cabernet–Pinotage ($10) is meaty enough for game.
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What: Juicy, affordable wines from popular varieties in South Africa's Western Cape.
| Faustino | |
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Standout: The '07 Rioja Rosado ($13), a satisfying thirst-quencher, with tart cranberry and ruby grapefruit flavors that linger on the finish.
Where: Oyón, in the Rioja Alavesa.
When: Open the '07 Rosado for a juicy pulled pork sandwich. The light, pleasantly funky '06 Rioja Faustino VII ($13) makes a subtle match to a gamey Berkshire pork chop.
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What: A classically styled range of Rioja wines, from one of the region's most consistent and well-known wineries.
| Pedro Romero | |
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Standout: The Medium Oloroso, a gently sweet, mouthfilling Sherry with briny limestone aromas and fruitcake flavors.
Where: In Sanlucár de Barrameda, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
When: Start the evening with the delicate, dry Manzanilla Aurora and smoked salmon, or the briny Amontillado with raw clams; step up to the Oloroso or Medium when the meat or mushroom course lands on the table. Finish with a little Cream or Moscatel for dessert.
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What: A complete array of Sherries, bone-dry to treacle-sweet, at $13 a bottle.
| Torres | |
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Standout: The 2006 Catalunya Viña Esmeralda ($15), a fragrant blend of moscatel and gewurztraminer, citrusy, light and refreshing.
Where: Penedès, where the family grows or sources most of its fruit. Torres also produces wines in Priorat and Ribera del Duero.
When: Pair the floral Viña Esmeralda with sea bass sashimi; the '07 Sangre de Toro Rosado ($10) from Catalunya is soft and raspberry-filled, for poolside sipping this summer.
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What: Wines from both indigenous and international grape varieties made in a long-established family winery in Catalunya.
| Viñedos de Nieva | |
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Standout: The 2007 Nieva Sauvignon ($17), brimming with citrus, acidity and grassy, herbal flavors.
Where: Nieva, in western Rueda, from sandy soils at 2,600 feet.
When: The Sauvignon has the cut for sashimi; if, instead, you choose to roast the day's catch from your local fish market, opt for the waxy, almond-scented 2007 Verdejo ($17).
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What: Textbook examples of verdejo and crisp, minerally sauvignon from vines up to 150 years old, planted by Jerónimo monks.