Boatloads of not so cheap crap: with a level of taxation for alcohol only beaten by Norway (if even them...), it is a miracle to get anything drinkable under 20€ here. But in recent months I have tried several under that limit, some of which were rather nice. Some posted recently in the wine focus section of this site.
Drouet Fils Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine La Sancive Sur Lie 2007
8,50€; 12%. Clean, neutral, mineral. Ok. Not very memorable but just a bit more interesting (in the positive direction) than absolute neutrality that I do buy it on occasion - especially since there really are no other proper whites under 10€ here!
Serge Batard Dom. Les Hautes Noëlles Muscadet-Côtes de Grandlieu Sur Lie 2007
14,86€; 12% abv. A leesy/nutty/cheesy start, becomes clear and crisp with air. Citrussy and wonderfully crisp. Not perhaps one of the greatest Muscadets, but in the absence of the great names, this will do nicely.
Disznókő Furmint Tokaji Dry 2006
11,49€; 13,5% abv; screwcap. Matured in steel. Light gold. The scent shows some hard, green apple scents that are tempered by a general red, spicy, vulcanic character to the fruit (as I often find with the grape). The fruit is ripe but not hugely concentrated, it has quite a bit of acidity (6,2 g/l) which combined with the hard, appley aromas gives this a rather steely profile. A wine full of personality where I find that the seemingly opposing elements (like the hard apple/malic vs. ripeness; the green vs. the red fruit) come together into a very appealing whole. The taste seems very dry until the aftertaste which shows some gras.
A cheaper wine that I enjoyed very much. I have seen some reports here in the cold, dreary North that claim this has some tropical fruit. I certainly and very gladly found none. Rather I found a wine that had that mineral, vulcanic, red, spicy aromas I so love in Furmint.
Bernard-Massard Auxerrois Ahn Göllebour Grand Premier Cru 2007 AC Moselle Luxembourgeoise
11,49€; 12,5% abv; 8g/l RS; 5,8g/l acidity; plastic closure. A very light, watery colour. The grape is reputed to be very neutral and rather boring. I found this wine to have some interest, though certainly not that of, say, Riesling. It is a mineral, clean and bright scent of white fruit and citrus. Moderately light, with a charming fruitiness supported by a mineral core and enough acidity to keep it tasting dry. Balanced and fun and it manages (though only just) to transcend being a neutral quaff.
Pewsey Vale Riesling Eden Valley 2008 S. Australia, Barossa(?)
12,5% abv; 12,45€. Greenish gold. A rather lovely scent of limes and minerals - this reads like it would be a hard wine but actually the scent is very inviting even though the words suggest a tight, ungiving, young wine. Good body, dry and crisp but with friendly fruit. It seems very primary but is delicious already. Though extraordinarily cheap by Finnish standards, I can imagine this aging well over the next few years.
Joseph Mellot Pinot Noir Rosé Destinéa 2008 Vin de Pays du Val de Loire
10,86€; 12,5% abv; 8,5g/l acidity. Pale pink. Starts out smelling a bit confected but calms down to a rather neutral scent with some strawberry and mineral. The taste is also rather neutral, very easily drinkable, crisp but the acidity doesn't seem at all as high as the technical would suggest. Inoffensive but too neutral that I would buy it again.
Couly-Dutheil Chinon La Baronnie Madeleine 2001
13,79€; 12,5% abv. Keeps on getting better though this vintage has been available at Alko for years. Crisp, pure Cab Franc aromas, good body, very refreshing yet substantial. I have been buying this again and again and again.
Seis de Azul y Garanza 2006 and 2007 Navarra
18€; 14-14,5% abv. Big, beefy reds, blends of 60% CS and 40% Merlot, but seemingly unspoofulated. The 2006 is wonderfully open and expressive now, though a bit on the heavy side for my taste though it does have wonderful structure and raciness for such a big wine. The '06 has scents of wild herbs coupled with dark fruit and plump raciness; the '07 is very much in pieces with seemingly the components needed that it might become a harmonious and enjoyable wine with a little time. No new oak that I can sense. VS and others into Spanish products, any ideas on this property? Any chance the '07 will become harmonious; did I catch this in a very bad time; was '07 not such a good year in Navarra?
Mezzacorona Teroldego Rotaliano Riserva 2006
10,50€; 13% abv. A rather enjoyable little wine with some dark fruit, herbaceous lift and though partly raised in oak, it gladly doesn't smell oaky (previous vintages did seem a bit vanillary to a degree that I found a bit bothersome but one that the prettier half loved, hence its fairly frequent appearance over dinner). Quite full body, tangy, refreshing structure despite young fruit. Nice!