Food & Wine Rates American Wines

There's a good review of American wines over at Food & Wine Magazine. Essentially a plonk review, they looked at over 300 wines under $20 and narrowed the list to 67 to buy and try in a bunch of categories. If you're like me, you're always looking for good every day type wines that won't break the bank. This should offer a good guide of American choices.

I still have trouble overcoming the stigma of screw caps, but environmentally isn't this the right way to go...?

Wines Under $10

from NY Times

Casa Cadaval Portugal Ribatejano , $8.99, ***

Padre Pedro 2002

Smoke, earth, cherry and spice flavors in a well-structured Old World wine

Domaine de l’Ameillaud France , $9, ** ½

Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2005

Mild tannins with attractive, lingering flavors of berry, cassis and olive

Viña Gormaz Spain Ribera del Duero , $9, **

Tempranillo 2005

Fresh and juicy with a lively spiciness

Georges Duboeuf France , $9, **

Beaujolais-Villages 2006

Juicy, fruity and floral. Decent Beaujolais best served chilled

Altas Cumbres Argentina Mendoza , $9, **

Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Lingering, jammy flavors of cherry and licorice

Wyatt California Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 , $10, **

Big and almost over the top with dark fruit, oak and spice flavors.

J. Vidal-Fleury France , $10, **

Côtes-du-Ventoux 2005

Aroma of burnt rubber gives way to flavors of bitter cherry and spices

Domaine Monte de Luz , $7, **

Uruguay Tannat 2006

Rich and plummy with smoky, spicy cherry flavors

Ravenswood California Vintner’s Blend , $10, **

Merlot 2004

Fruit, floral and spice flavors; straightforward and pleasant.

Paringa , $9, * ½

South Australia Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

David Hickinbotham Individual Vineyard

Big and powerful with berry, oak and fruit flavors