An Easy Guide to Inexpensive Red Wines

When I hear someone mention the term inexpensive red wine I normally sit up and take interest. Partially due to my frugal nature but more because I really like red wine. Now, before we proceed let me warn you, I am not your typical well educated wine guru. I'm just an average, penny pinching schmoe who loves red wine enough to actually know something about it.

My consumption of wine has been slated as nothing short of bacchanal savagery and likened to a hunt weary horse at a trough. Uncomplimentary words like quaff, gulp and slurp are often used in dismay at my obvious enjoyment of the moment. What can I say, I really like red wine. Particularly low-cost red wine.

The next logical step would be to establish what constitutes an affordable red wine. My uncle Fergus would say that anything coming in at under a 100 bucks is swill and worthless for anything but sprinkling on his fish and chips. Me, I reckon a red passing checkout at between $10 and $15 is worthy of the term.

So, now that the ground rules are set and my general lack of credibility established lets have a look at 5 inexpensive red wines that are really worth quaffing.

Yellow Tail Merlot

Hailing from South Eastern Australia, this solid, down to earth, inexpensive red wine is a sure winner as an affordable, every day drink. I've always been partial to Merlots and this one is a fine example.

Softer than many and not inclined to suck your face into the back of your head, it's warm and full with a deep claret color and distinctly plumy nose. The first hit as it goes down is a little sweet, but not overpoweringly so. In the middle where all the fun starts there's a strong berry presence and a hint of vanilla and oak when it's all gone.

I've always been intrigued by the description of the "Aussie spice" that Cassela Wines put on the label. My trusty, long suffering lab assistant Mark and I tried really hard to find these elusive spices, but after four bottles we gave up and just took their word for it!

Seriously though, this is a really good, inexpensive red wine in true Aussie style. Sure to kick any red meat, pasta or spicy chicken dish up a notch without excavating the wallet. Yellow Tail Merlot retails between $8 and $10.

Yellow Tail Cabernet Merlot

When you pull the bung on this inexpensive red wine the first thing that you notice is the nose. I have smelled plantation rums that were less fragrant. This wine has a big fruity nose that just begs for further attention. And attention it gets.

Again the first impression is an uncommon sweetness for a front cultivar know for a slightly acidic leaning. The middle is just as fruit driven as the Merlot with some raspberry (I think) and a caramel-vanilla bye-bye kiss. Nice, very nice. One can easily get used to this particular Cabernet blend.

At the end of the day, this red proves to be another reason why more wine fence sitters should start a romance with inexpensive red wines that are more generic in structure. They are not as harsh on the unsuspecting palette and affordable to boot.

All in all this Aussie Cabernet Merlot comes out top as an easy drinking, affordable accompaniment to good food and good company. This wine also retails for between $8 and $10.

2007 Bouwland Cabernet Merlot

This South African wine from the Stellenbosch-Simonsberg area promised to please as do most SA wines, so I got out my cork screw and beer mug and plugged away.

Although very warm and inviting this baby doesn't have the immediate impact on the nose that her sibling from down under has and a quick swirl around the glass released a subtle but pleasing whiff of plum and currant. With the first swig you immediately know that this is a more mature wine than the Aussie runner.

With a strong current and coffee, I should have rinsed the mug first, overtone this one slides effortlessly off into a rustic, earthy finish. At one point Mark mentioned, with a slightly pie-eyed grin, that there was a hint of mushroom in there too. And they say I'm a savage! This Bordeaux style wine also has a perfect deep ruby color. Yummy.

As inexpensive red wines go this one is somewhat misplaced as it definitely rates up there with the more expensive examples. This frugal red wine would make a perfect foil for pastas and red meat. Very nice over all. Bouwland Cabernet Merlot retails at a very respectable $12.

2008 Indaba Shiraz

Staying in sunny South Africa we look at another really nice, inexpensive red wine from the Cape wine route. I've always had a soft spot for Shiraz varieties as they tend to be fun, unassuming wines that add zest to any occasion. Aged in French and American oak for 6 months prior to bottling, this example has a tantalizing berry and chocolate character with a touch of liquorice.

A light ruby color, fresh berry nose and lively taste make this one a perfect accompaniment to anything from burgers to Fillet Mignon. Yummy again. The 2008 Indaba Shiraz retails at $11.

2007 La Peurta Malbec

One thing I've learned on my extended meanderings around the block is that one should avoid drinking things you can see through or can't pronounce when you're still sober. So it was with some trepidation that I first tried out this South American tongue twister. Was I ever wrong?

Hailing from Argentina, this delightful Bordeaux varietal has a deep plum color and a spicy fresh nose. Throw it back and there's plum and an almost floral character to the first rush followed by a slightly sweet almost jammy presence when it's gone.

This is a real strong runner in the inexpensive red wine stakes and is just fruity acid enough to perfectly compliment any rare beef dish, and romps with Indian or Cajun fried chicken. La Peurta Malbec retails at $11 to $12.

So there you have it. Five of my favorite inexpensive red wines for which I have been so castigated. As I said before, a low-cost red wine makes for the stuff wine was invented for - FUN. No pinkie pointing nonsense, just plain good old fashioned camaraderie and good times. Happy drinking!