Huntington Quarterly Autumn 2022

It’s not an American version of an Italian wine, but rather a summary of the Golden State’s debt to French grapes, with some California stalwarts thrown in. This blend of Cabernet, Zinfandel and Syrah is your pizza wine for eternity. 4. Erath Pinot Noir ($20)

This lovely Oregon Pinot Noir hovers around $20 but can be found for less. It’s an ideal introduction to the Oregon style, which is far less fruit-forward than California Pinot and more like classic red Burgundy. Much lighter than Cabernet and Merlot, Pinot Noir from Oregon is defined by rich aromas and delicate fruit flavors. 5. Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling ($15) Riesling is stupidly undervalued, the world’s least expensive great wine. This version from Washington State is less challenging to understand from winemak ing tradition than the German version, but it’s completely delicious, with nimble fruit flavors and a nice mineral undercurrent with crisp acidity. 6. Hess Select North Coast Cabernet ($19) Cabernet Sauvignon is the definitive California red wine, but the best stuff is pricey. This offering

a familiar aperitif. One flute of Asti, however, is a nifty way to start off din ner. The M&Rmega-brand makes my favorite Asti to pour into that flute. 9. FranziaDarkRedBlend ($17) What?! A box wine? Well,

let’s be honest. When you invite a bunch of people over for a party, why not simply fill up a few carafes rather than constantly pop corks? Box wines used to be derided, but their quality has come way up; and although nobody seems to know

gives youCab power at a more reason able sticker. And while it isn’t so phisticated, if you just want

what this “Dark Red Blend” actually contains, the blend is passable and ideal for a crowd. Franzia is also the biggest name in decent bulk wine— it created “Two Buck Chuck” for Trader Joe’s — so this boxed product won’t disappoint anyone but the more committed snobs. 10. Barefoot Rose ($9) I don’t l ike rose ver y

G one are the days when only bland whites were found in the bargain bin

to throw a few steaks on the grill and have a straightfor ward dinner, you

can’t do better. 7. YellowTail Chardonnay ($7) My cheapest wine under $20 is also one of the

much, but the pink wine is wildly popular; so here’s my recommendation: find a cheap one and buy in bulk. Barefoot can be found just about everywhere; and while it’s not a great wine, no rose really is. For summertime quaffing, however, it’s perfect.

more basically satisfying. Hailing fromAustralia but findable all over the U.S., YellowTail’s Chard is blissfully uncomplicated, with juicy tropical notes and a dollop of oaky goodness that makes it the ultimate fun-loving fried chicken partner. 8. Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante ($12) An unintended consequence of themulti-decades wine boom that we’ve all enjoyed is that some old-fashioned wines have been cast to the wayside. Good old sweet and bubblyAsti Spumante, a northern Italianwinemade from the Moscato grape, is one. All manner of international sparkling wines, most dry, have displaced what was once

MATTHEW DeBORD , a native of Huntington, is a former associate editor at Wine Spectator magazine and the author of several books on wine. He currently resides in New York City and is the senior editor for the Transportation & Lifestyle section of Business Insider — a business, celebrity and technology news website.

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