What are we Pouring?
Randall Bertao, MS, general manager, Los Altos Golf and Country Club, Los Altos, Calif.
Bargain Wine: Altocedro Ano Cero 2009 Valle de Uco, Argentina
Grape variety: Malbec
Taste profile: Jammy, black fruit with a light herbal nuance. Spicy, with a full body and rich, long finish.
Pairings: Richer meats, like spice-rubbed spare ribs with bourbon barbecue sauce. With 14.4 percent alcohol, just keep the heat at a minimum.
Average wholesale case price: $104
Darius Allyn, MS, Partner, Wineworks Consulting Services, Las Vegas
Bargain Wine: Las Rocas de San Alejandro Garnacha 2007, Calatayud region, Spain
Grape variety: Garnacha
Taste profile: Striking aromas of wild raspberries, cranberries, orange-zesty potpourri, mixed with sun-dried tomatoes, pink peppercorn, beef jerky, tobacco and barnyard. Excellent balance.
Pairings: Dark-meat fowl and game, Mongolian beef and richer poultry and pork dishes. My favorite is grilled pork sausage with root vegetables, stewed tomatoes, rosemary and thyme.
Average wholesale case price: $6
Juan Gomez, MS, Sommelier, The Breakers, Palm Beach, Fla.
Value Wine: Trimbach Riesling, 2007, Alsace, France
Grape variety: Riesling
Taste Profile: aromas of honeysuckle, ginger, ripe peach and apricot with notes of refreshing acidity and minerality on the finish.
Pairings: Ground pork and ginger salad with scallions, radish and romaine lettuce finished with rice wine vinegar.
Average wholesale case price: 132
BARGAIN WINE: Quivira Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2007
Grape variety: Zinfandel
Taste profile: deep ruby, black cherry, blueberry with the whole spice rack thrown in; a silky smooth wine that drifts over your taste buds
Pairings: a medium rare burger, onion roll, beefsteak tomato and yellow onion with a layer of guacamole and some pico de gallo -- also delicious with any red meat, or cheese and ripe red fruit
Average wholesale case price: $120 to $140
