On January 1, 2015 TastedOnline.com celebrated it’s second anniversary. And, again this year we reviewed a little more than 200 wines that included just over 30 new grape varieties we had never tasted. Interestingly only 15% of the wines we reviewed this year were produced in the United States. This reflects our finding that many more European and non-domestic wines are a better value especially in the under the $20 price range. In addition we have continued to make an aggressive effort to improve our pairing of wines with food. We strongly believe in almost every case the wines that paired well with food were the most memorable…good food and the perfect wine create a memorable event. To find the wine pairings we thought were special just look at the entries listed under the keyword “Good Pairings“.
Following the three categories we use for the “Wines of the month” (Under $10, Under $20, and over $20) we have selected our choices for the Best Value Red, White, Rosé and Sparkling wines from those we tasted in 2014. In addition we picked our choice for “the” single best value wine of the year and our “biggest” disappointment wine. And, we added a new listing of the our twenty most successful pairings of wine and food.
So, here are the wines we thought have Outstanding Quality and the Best Value in 2014:
Under $10.
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White:
Bidoli Friuli Grave Pinot Grigio 2012
Domaine Jouclary Sauvignon White 2013
Quintas De Melgaco, Terra Antiga Vinho Verde 2012
Red:
Argum Tempranillo Cabernet 2012
Château d’Oupia Les Hérétiques Pays d’Herault 20121.
Domaine Des Soulie Saint-Chinian 20102.
Hacienda Villarta Besanas Crianza 2009
Honoro Vera Garnacha 2012
Under $20.
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White:
Chateau De Lavernette Beaujolais-Blanc Les Vignes De La Roche 2012
Domaine De Bel Air, Pouilly Fumè 2012
Domaine des Terres Dorees Beaujolais Blanc, 2012
Domaine du Pas Saint Martin, Coteaux Du Layon, Les Mille Rocs 2010
Domaine Du Pas Saint Martin, Saumur 20122.
Red:
Chateau Unang Ventoux 2009
Domaine Les Terrasses d’Eole Ventoux 20112.
Fattoria Castellina, Chianti Montalbano 20112.
Gioia Del Colle Primitivo Plantamura 2011
Jean-Paul Brun, Domaine des Terres Dorees, L’Ancien Vielles Vignes 2012 Beaujolais
La Croix Peyrassol, Méditeranée Rouge 2012
Over $20.
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White:
Broadbent Maderira, Malmsey 10-years old
Nikolaihof Wachau Hefeabzug Gruner Veltliner 2012
Occhipinti SP68 Blanco Terres Siciliane 2012
Red:
Caparsino Chianti Classico Riserva 2008
Saint-Damien Les Sauteyrades Gigondas 2010
Rosé:
Domaine Maestracci, Camille-Anais Raqust, E Prove Rosé 2013
Sparkling Wine:
Jean Lallement Verzenay Grand Cru Champagne
Steininger Sparkling Pinot Noir Sekt 2010
Our pick for best wine value of the year
Our biggest disappointment wine.
The best food and wine pairings we had in 2014
Apple crisp desert/Domaine du Pas Saint Martin, Coteaux Du Layon, Les Mille Rocs 2010
Armenian Sandwich/Elena Walch Castel Ringberg Alto Adige Pinto Grigio 2012
Baked scallops/Chateau De Lavernette Beaujolais-Blanc Les Vignes De La Roche 2012
Chicken with pesto sauce/Occhipinti SP68 Blanco Terres Siciliane 2012
Classic Margherita Pizza/Corte Gardoni Pràdicà 2012
Eggplant Parmesan/Fattoria Castellina, Chianti Montalbano 2011
Filet Mignon/Chateau Musar Gaston Hochar 2005
Greek chicken/Domaine Du Pas Saint Martin Saumur 2012
Greek chicken with lemon and garlic/Domaine Jouclary Sauvignon White 2013
Greek chicken with strong lemon flavor/Broc Cellars Love White 2013
Grilled lamb/La Croix Peyrassol, Méditeranée Rouge 2012
Grilled hamburger/Colli Della Murgia Selvato Puglia 2011
Grilled Salmon/La Playa Pinot Noir 2013
Grilled tuna/Fattoria Castellina Solare Bianco Toscana 2011
Hawaiian pizza/Dacapo Sanbastian, Barbera d’Asti 2010
Lamb bolognese/Domaine les Grands Bois “Cuvée Marc” Rasteau 2011
Maytag white cheddar cheese and crackers/Les Gras Moutons Muscadet 2012
Shaved Fennel Salad/Corte Gardoni Custoza 2012
Spinach salad (mushrooms, ham, red onion, oil & wine vinegar)/Domaine Pascal Bellier Cheverny 2010
Tortellini with basil pesto/Stefano Massone Madera Gavi 2012
1. Our pick for best wine value of the year.
2. Runners up for the best wine value of the year.