The BevFluence #1299Challenge
In December 2020, BevFluence invited a community of wine enthusiasts to select a retail outlet (supermarket, large beverage retail chain, or online wine store) and purchase several wines under $12.99 to review. The concept was to show the availability of very drinkable and affordable everyday table wine. The reviews show that apparently, Spain is still a reliable resource for such wines, but value gems can be found throughout the world – even in the United States.
“Narrowing the field to $12.99 somehow still broadened wine horizons. It made me pay even closer attention to ways of finding wine value at any price point. A good challenge.” -Mary Beth Vierra of Crush Course
Good old Charles Shaw better known as house brand for Trader Joe’s Two Buck Chuck hit the shelves at the chain in 2002. Since then there have been many discussions of cheap vs. expensive wine. The fact remains that most wine purchased in America is still consumed that day or within a few days. The fancy labels, limited releases and once-in-a-lifetime bottles may dominate the magazines, social media and our dreams, but everyday wine is a much larger factor than many talking heads give it credit for.
We at bevfluence got together with some of our community all who love wine, write about wine and have great palates and made them buy the cheap stuff. “It’s always refreshing to know there is excellent wine at every price point. Several followers appreciated the options!” Thea Dwelle
We threw down the gauntlet to the crew to go and find wines they enjoy and spend less than 13 bucks a bottle. This challenge meant taking people who review hundreds of wines a year, often single vineyard rare wines and getting them to buy everyday bottles. The challenge was met head-on with the community which is not nearly as snobbish as some think. The fact is that those of us who review wine, beer or spirits regularly love to drink different things often and enjoy the change to challenge our conceptions. Our community is full of diverse, fun and thrill seeking people who reject the snobbish, sommelier style instead embracing a down to earth enjoyment of wine.
We had fun shifting through various stores to find interesting wines and the results while not shocking were surprising. Wine does not have to be expensive, in fact it should be an affordable luxury and far more accessible. It was not hard for most of us to come up with good points in these wines, no one struggled to say nice things. “This exercise was an excellent reminder that with a little work, you can find tremendous value and drinking pleasure in this price range.” – Jim VanBergen
Even tasting the under five dollar wines for this challenge meant being impressed with how approachable they were. It is easy to see why cheap wines are popular.
For our team at bevfluence it this was eye opening since we often only get the chance to try wines we are sent. Buying wine from $2.99 to $12.99 and everything in between produced a wide range of reactions. We are impressed at the quality and even bought wines that others had recommended in their posts to try.
Everyone who enjoys wine knows that not all wine needs to have a huge price tag to be good. This project has proven once and for all what many have known forever, you do not have to spend a ton of money to drink good wine. “Truth be told, I thought I was going to be drinking these wines just for this challenge only and that would be the end of it. Turns out I am heading back to Bottles to pick up more of the Bobal and the Sangiovese. These will be perfect on a Tuesday. Maybe even a Thursday. Thus I am reminded that inexpensive does not necessarily mean cheap, poorly made or bad.” – Rick Dean Link
Below is a list of all of the wines tasted by this group although there are plenty more outside of this. We shared some laughs but mostly some good recommendations of inexpensive wine.
Check out these blogs and follow these people who love wine and sharing stories about their journey in the beverage world! ….
Mary Beth Vierra (CrushCourseWine) – Trader Joes
Emma Reichert Gewürztraminer, Pfalz, (Qba) 2018, Germany ($6.99)
Ruggero di Bardo Susumaniello IGP Puglia 2019, Italy ($10.99)
Vignobles Lacheteau Muscadet-Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie AOP, France ($7.99)
Adaline Bodegas Verdejo, 2018, Spain ($4.49)
Roustabout Meritage 2018, Paso Robles, California ($7.99)
Fred Swan (NorCalWine) – K&L Wine Merchants
2019 Atance Cuvée No 1 Valencia DO Spain ($12.99)
2018 Foris Pinot Gris Rogue Valley, Oregon ($12.95)
2019 Tahbilk Marsanne Nagambie Lakes, Victoria Australia ($12.99)
2017 Bodegas Olivares Altos de la Hoya Monastrell Jumilla DO Spain ($11.99)
2016 Niepoort Rotolu Tinto Dao DOC Portugal ($11.99)
2020 Viña Maitia “Aupa” Pipeño Red Wine Maule, Chile ($12.99)
Jim van Bergen (JVBUncorked) – Total Wine
San Gregorio Single Vineyard Las Martas Garnacha 2018, Calatayud DOC, Spain ($9.99)
Latitud 42 Rioja Ecologica 2018, Rioja DOC, Northern Spain. 100% Tempranillo ($9.99)
Marchese di Borgosole Salice Salentino Riserva 2017, Apulia, Italy ($12.99)
Seastone Albariño 2019, DO Rias Baixas, Spain ($11.69)
Herederos del Marques De Riscal 100% Rueda Verdejo 2019, DO Rueda, Spain ($5.49)
San Gregorio Single Vineyard La Muela Macabeo 2019, Catayud DOC, Spain ($11.99)
Kelly Cohen (Off the Beaten Glass) – Wine.com
2018 Ballard Lane Chardonnay, California ($11.99)
2019 Ruffino Pinot Grigio Lumina, Italy ($10.99)
2019 Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand ($8.99)
2019 J. Lohr Bay Mist White Riesling, California ($9.99)
NV Freixenet Cordon Negro Cava Brut, Spain ($11.99)
Rick Dean (Strong Coffee to Red Wine) – Bottles, Mount Pleasant, SC
2018 Mont Gravet ‘Old Vine’ Carignan, IGP Pays D’ Hérault, Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($9.99)
2019 Atance Bobal, Valencia DOP, Spain ($12.99)
2019 Vina Galana Verdejo, Chinchilla de Montearagón, Albacete, Spain ($12.99)
Trevini Sangiovese, NV, Rubicone IGT, Trevini, Italy ($7.99)
Broadbent Vinho Verde Sunflower, NV, (50% Loureiro, 40% Trajadura, & 10% Pedernã) Portugal ($9.99)
Moulin de Gassac Guilheim Rosé 2019, (40% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 20% Carignan) IGP Pays d’Hérault, Languedoc, France ($12.99)
Sandra Crittenden (Wine Thoughts) – Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods
Dibon Cava Brut Rosé, Spain ($10.99)
Vallobera Rioja Blanco 2019, Spain ($12.99)
McPherson Piquepoul Blanc Timmons Estate 2017, Texas ($11.49)
Domaine Vigneret Côtes de Provence Rosé, Provence France ($12.99)
Girasole Sangiovese 2017 Mendocino County ($12.99)
Le Vassal de Mercues Malbec de Cahors 2018, France ($12.99)
Todd Godbout (WineCompass) – Wegmans
Fox Run Vineyards 2018 Simmons Vineyard Traminette, Finger Lakes NY ($11.99)
Emilia Natura 2018 Carmenere, Chile ($9.49)
Koenig Pinot Blanc, France ($10.99)
Hugl Gruner Veltliner, Austria ($10.49)
Fontana Candid Frascati 2019, Italy ($8.49)
Vinos de Arganza Lagar de Robla Mencia Premium 2016, Spain ($9.99)
Thea Dwelle (WineBratsSF) – Bottle Barn
Broadbent Gruner Veltliner, Austria ($9 – liter)
Murgo Etna Bianco – 70% Carricante 30% Catarratto, Italy ($)
AIA Vecchia Vermentino Toscana 2019, Italy ($10.99)
Bodega Sierra Salinas Mira Salinas Monastrell, Spain($12.49)
This project, or campaign or whatever you want to call it was beyond fun, and more than just a little informative. It was a killer good time and exercise that gave our community the chance to dive deep into wines that may not be cellar worthy but certainly deserve a look.
Cheers,
The BevFluence Team
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