One of my favorite domestic chores is grocery shopping online at Harris Teeter with curbside pick-up (perfect for this freezing weather). I have reached the wine section and BAM! Harris Teeter is having a BIG WINE SALE! There are so many delicious wines on sale. What really surprises me is the number of wines sold for under $10.00.

 

 

I wonder, vineyards who sell their wines for under $10 are they advertising to the pubic that the wines are not worth more or are they dedicated to producing affordable wines; wanting everyone from the novice to the Master to enjoy their wines. Goodness, I hope it’s the latter.

One vineyard, Rex-Goliath wines are cheap; the regular price is under $10.00.

OMG! Manischewitz Concord Grape wine is still on the market. I remember this wine when I was a school girl. My mother drank Manishewitz calling it her medicine.

 

Curiosity was becoming the best of meand I had to see if any of these wines were good. So, I developed the “Harris Teeter Six for Sixty (6 for $60) Challenge, the Quest for Goodness”.

Rules:

• The wine must be $10 or less before taxes;
• It must be a wine I have never tasted. By the way, there are certain wines I refuse to place upon my lips. For instance, Yellow Tail, Menage Trios, Cupcake and Barefoot to name a few;
• Different varieties and
• Two wines can not be from the same vineyard.

The selection process was very difficult. Following are the wines chosen for the challenge:

1. Rex-Goliath Shiraz
2. HandCraft Petit Syrah
3. Redwood Creek Malbec
4. Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon
5. Naked Grape Pinot Noir
6. Jacob Creek Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon

To prevent this blog from turning into a short story, I will break up this experiment into three parts.

PART ONE

The first and second wines in the 6 for $60 challenge are:

Wine #1 – 2013 Jacob Creek – Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon blend

 

Aromas – prunes, black fruit and earthy aromas; there is a slight mineral on the nose. I’m getting excited. Swirling, mouth is watering, time to taste.

Taste – juicy medium-bodied, smoky with firm tannins; this South Australian wine has potential.

For the third time, the husband has said,“this is good.” I sip and nod in agreement.

Now that my palate is coated with Ghirardelli dark chocolate and wine, I have created a delicious rich chocolate cake. Yummm.

This is a good everyday drinking wine. We will definitely purchase Jacob Creek in the future. GOOD JOB Jacob Creek!

 

Wine #2 – HANDCRAFT – Happy Pre-Valentine’s Day

I’ve been baking Valentine’s Day treats and, of course, licking the spoon (trust me, they taste better than they look :)) and drinking water was not enough to cleanse my palate. All I taste are cocoa powder and blackberries.

 

There is a noticeable difference from a wine directly from the vineyard and a store bought wine. I wish there was a way to know how long a bottle of wine has been sitting on the shelf.

This wine needs additional breathing time and it’s time to change the glass. My husband filled the glass a tab bit to high and the aerator was not utilized, which in my opinion has a significant impact on the taste. Okay, lets start this tasting over.

Sniff – Black pepper, smoky and black fruit aromas.

Taste – Before and after aerating, the husband picked up flavors of black licorice and plums. I too taste a multiple of flavors: prunes, plums, black fruit, black pepper with a hint of black licorice. The second and third sips are producing smoky flavors.

Yes, much better! Smoky, deep dark chocolate and black fruit; not bad or maybe its those delicious Valentine’s Day treats. Either way, HANDCRAFT you are TASTY!

We are on a roll. I can not wait to see what wine number three has to offer.

 

Salute! Sante’