The Pros & Cons

Of Wine On A Budget

As hundreds of wine column topics buzz through my brain, it is sometimes difficult to feel truly inspired. Who would have thought that a simple reading of my favorite hometown newspaper would provide the inspiration for this month’s column? Although I do not feel remotely qualified to weigh in on the pros and cons of the Newtown budget, I do feel eminently qualified to discuss the pros and cons of wine on a budget.

In many countries of the world, wine has been primarily regarded as a beverage. Yes, they may produce some great wines. To the average person, however, wine is just something to drink with a meal.

For many years in the United States, people were intimidated by wine. The influence of wine snobs discouraged the simple consumption of wine as a beverage. Thankfully, the times have changed, as the US has become one of the leading wine consuming nations in the world.

The most economical way to purchase wine is in a box. When a wine bottle is opened, the wine is exposed to air and the taste slowly deteriorates. Box wines are actually stored in a bag inside the box that does not allow any air into the wine. The wine’s flavor will not deteriorate because no air gets into the bag.

For the most part, wines in a box are produced in large quantities. A vineyard’s best grapes are generally not used in box wines. Many Americans, however, have found them to be perfectly acceptable for everyday drinking.

Wines in 1.5 liter bottles or magnums are also very popular. The incredible popularity of the Australian brand Yellow Tail was largely achieved in 1.5 liter bottles. Once again, these are not the wines receiving high ratings or long articles in the wine magazines. They are just the wines that large numbers of people both at home and in restaurants enjoy with their dinners.

As I continue to taste wine, the point is constantly driven home to me that price is not the only factor in determining the quality of a bottle (or box) of wine. Every wine producing country in the world produces wines in every price range. Your palate, your pocketbook, your paycheck, and maybe even your property taxes all play a role in which wine you choose to drink.

*Recently Tasted and Enjoyed: I recently had the pleasure of tasting the wines from Napa Valley’s Merryvale Vineyards. They were uniformly excellent. (Unfortunately, they do not come in a box!)

 (Newtown resident and wine enthusiast Steve Small is the general manager at Yankee Wine & Spirits on Queen Street.)