Netscape Forum Poll: What's your price limit for value wine?

[Robin Garr]

As we feature affordable and value wines this month, we're curious what price level wine enthusiasts consider the limit for "value" wines. Where do you draw the line when you're looking for something affordable for everyday drinking? Pick your choice in dollars or, if you're elsewhere around the world, estimate the dollar equivalent for your local price.
Click to vote!

[David M. Bueker]

Somthing affordable for everyday drinking?

It's an interesting question, as I almost never get through a bottle in less than 2 days anyway, so the every day price is cut in half. I would love to stay at the $15 dollar mark, but so many wines that I love have gone past it (e.g. German Riesling kabinett, most Chenin, basic Bourgogne, basic Bordeaux) that I have shifted to a floating range between $20 and $30. This keeps my daily price between $10 and $15.

Somthing affordable for everyday drinking?

It's an interesting question, as I almost never get through a bottle in less than 2 days anyway, so the every day price is cut in half. I would love to stay at the $15 dollar mark, but so many wines that I love have gone past it (e.g. German Riesling kabinett, most Chenin, basic Bourgogne, basic Bordeaux) that I have shifted to a floating range between $20 and $30. This keeps my daily price between $10 and $15.

Same here. Regards, Bob

My definition of good value in an everyday wine has increased over the last several years and now has a ceiling of $15 (Canadian). To be a true value or QPR, it has to be much less than that and, of course, offer something interesting in the bottle.

$20 is the new $10, after all.

Mark Lipton

As we feature affordable and value wines this month, we're curious what price level wine enthusiasts consider the limit for "value" wines. Where do you draw the line when you're looking for something affordable for everyday drinking? Pick your choice in dollars or, if you're elsewhere around the world, estimate the dollar equivalent for your local price.
Click to vote!

Any change from a NZ$20 note is good. You can buy some really super wines for under $18 and the occasional gem pops up for under $15. Best bargains are end of lines. We have some retailers here who are very good at snapping up palate loads of 'end of line' deals, but once the wine is sold, that's it - there is usually no more.

$20 is about the limit that I spend for an everyday wine. However, because I live alone I don't drink wine everyday, and when I do, as David says, one bottle lasts for more than a day.

I rationalize this expenditure quite handily by saying to myself that I'm saving a ton of money over what food and wine would cost if I were dining out.

LOL, Cynthia--you rationalize the same way I do!

I try to stay around $15, but with rising prices and the exorbitant taxes in PA, it's getting harder and harder...

I agree with many of the posts here. I'm still hanging onto the notion that daily value drinkers should be around a $10 spot. but that is increasingly impossible so I find that I've changed my habits to only really buy when things are on sale (.i.e. the monthly 6 bottles for 20% discount gig). Then I pick up some $12-15 wines for around $10-12. In fact, I find that I purchase much fewer value wines and generally just go for the good stuff..generally things $40 and up. I'll nurse these over a few days and not feel as bad about the price.

$20 is the new $10, after all.

Mark Lipton

Certainly is if you're an American shopping for wine in the UK..

Damned exchange rates!

$15, but I see that ceiling rising upto $20 lately. I am not complaining yet. I think that the falling dollar and fad-driven market greed is conspiring against us. We cannot much the affect the rate of currency,but we sure can confuse the marketers. I suggest that we give code names to wines so that we befuddle anyone else who reads these posts. For instance, Rieslings should be referred to as White Zinfandel. So, when we read the WTN for Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr White Zinfandel Spätlese 2001, we know what the taster actually tasted. . It will keep their grubby hands off our food.