Cheap hooch takes gold
At the Florida State International Wine Competition this month, a new brand, Oak Leaf Vineyards from California, took home the gold. With 84 wineries competing in chardonnay category, only four received gold medals and Oak Leaf was the biggest bargain by far, at a suggested retail price of, um, $2.97.
Available in five varietals (chard, pinot grigio/chard blend, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and white zinfandel) Oak Leaf Vineyards wines can be found at Wal-Mart and most grocery stores.
The word "recession" swirling around, tax time around the corner--a $2.97 winner sounds good to me. Here are tasting notes from the blog Cork'd:
"This chard is certainly nothing earth-shaking, but it's quite drinkable, and better than many I've tried. The nose is sour and citrusy, with a little oak and vanilla. Something floral, too, maybe honeysuckle? The taste is slightly oily but with solid acidity. Sour, refreshing, and a nice finish. There was something at first that was strident, but it disappeared as the wine warmed in the glass. GREAT value."
"He who distinguishes the true savor of his food can never be a glutton; he who does not cannot be otherwise." 
I think I'll try a bottle of the chard with some Ritz crackers, peperoni and cheeze whiz. Just kidding, I'm no wine snob and love finding a great value on a bottle of wine. But $3? I'm curious and will try it.
My favorite bargain chard? Meridian Chardonney for $6-7 (almost always on sale at Publix and Albertsons). Never fails.
Posted by: JM | February 22, 2008 at 11:13 AM
didn't robert irvine say he was the vintner for this wine?
(kidding.)
Posted by: jim webster | February 22, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Jim,
There's a "Fat Bastard" line, why not "Lying Bastard"? Could work.
Or how about a fine bottle of "LaTorre Zinfindel" - the preferred drink of St. Petersburg socialites? That would probably cost more, though. (At least $5.99)
Posted by: JM | February 22, 2008 at 12:00 PM