It’s been a while since my last Cheap Fun Wines post, mainly because I hadn’t, until now, been able to beat any of the wines I wrote about previously (Menage A Trois, Earth Zin and Fire, Garnacha de Fuego). But recently I came across several that are worthy of consideration.

Having been to Napa, I know the difference between a bottle of wine that you store for years and save for a very special occasion, and a bottle you break out and have with pizza or burgers. This series highlights the everyday wines that may not impress your wine snob friend, but will probably please everyone else.

I saw Apothic Red at Global and picked up a bottle, since my wife and I have been enjoying red blends lately. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with a California red blend, and this was no exception.

I knew it was a winner when I opened the bottle to wonderful smells of dark cherries, blackberries, and a hint of spice. Made by the Gallo family, this is a blend of 45% Syrah, 44% Zinfandel, 9% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon that comes from primarily Lodi, as well as Sonoma, and California’s Central Coast.

Often a wine of this price (around $10) will taste good at first but leave you with a strange aftertaste. Apothic finishes with a silky/velvety texture that lingers at the back of your throat in a very pleasant way. If you’re looking for a smooth, easy drinking, fruit-forward wine with hints of vanilla, this is one to try. Even Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate gave it an 87, calling it a “beauty (that) will provide enormous relief for weary, recession-challenged wine consumers.”

Break this bottle out at a party and I guarantee your friends will ask what it is, and how they can get a bottle for themselves.

–Brian

For some reason we have tried several different wines with flames on the label lately, and they have all turned out to be delicious. This one in particular was recommended at one of my favorite wine shops, and each bottle we’ve had since has been just as good as the first.

For around $8 a bottle, you can’t beat the flavors represented here: ripe plum, black cherry, with a touch of spice. It’s exceptionally smooth, with just enough pepper to keep it interesting. I even taste a little vanilla in this one.

A year ago I did a wine review of a ‘99 Virginia Meritage, which to this day gets me comments. A German relative of mine in Bavaria actually sent me an email after she found the post on the net, which was a nice surprise. It turns out my mother’s side of the family owns some vineyards, which explains my appreciation for the fruit of the vine; it’s genetic!

So it got me to thinking, maybe a semi-regular wine review here would be appropriate. I’m not a snooty wine collector with expensive tastes, my wife and I generally look for good value wines between $10 and $15 a bottle, and maybe you do too. If that’s the case, I’ll share our experiences and perhaps make your choices a little easier the next time you hit your favorite wine shop. I’m calling this series Cheap, Fun Wines.

Menage a Trois, Folie a Deux Winery, California.

Earth, Zin, and Fire, Jessie’s Grove Winery, Lodi CA.