It has been said that wine is the earthly ambrosia. Yet this most divine and transcendent beverage remains shrouded in mystery to all but a select few. To prove that accessible and affordable wine does not have to come from a bladder, recess scoured Durham to come up with a list of eight unique wines easily found at the likes of Whole Foods or Fowler's.
We've asked all the questions, decanted, swilled and quaffed probably a few too many glasses, to provide you with all the notes you'll need to be ready to walk past the shelves of Arbor Mist and Franzia and move on to the good stuff. We've done all the work; all you do is drink.
Whites
Rock Rabbit Sauvignon Blanc 2004 ($9)
This Sauvignon Blanc was surprisingly the driest out of all the whites, an uncharacteristic trait for this type of grape. It hits the palate with pleasant notes of bitter grapefruit but finishes quickly, leaving lingering hints of alcohol. For those used to sweet wines, a la wine spritzers and the like, this may not be your best choice. It would go best with a hearty meal that could stand up to the wine's acidity.
Rudolf Muller Riesling 2004 ($10)
Rieslings are a big hit with the ladies and, for some reason, much of the male contingent of the recess staff. This version was on the sweet side even for a Riesling, making it so easy to drink it was a little frightening. It tasted of apple and pear and, to be honest, a little like Mott's apple juice. This is a wine for beginners; easy to drink and low in alcohol; it's the Smirnoff Ice of wine.
Santa Julia Torrontes ($6)
When a wine evokes Pine-Sol cleaner and Sprite with rubbing alcohol, it's probably a good idea to stay away. This is not to say, however, that this wine is completely without merits. recess tasters were divided, most gagged but a few were intrigued. The unique Argentinean grapes create a wine that is neither too sweet nor too dry. Regardless, as soon as the subtle peach flavors fade, this wine finishes with the harshness of hard liquor but none of the buzz.
Lawson's Dry Hill Chardonnay 2001 ($12)
If you're in the mood for something different, this is your wine. This does not drink like your mother's Chardonnay but instead awakens the palate with hints of yeast, sweet oak and an unmistakable savory finish. With each sip, this wine reveals yet another layer of itself and is best enjoyed with a good meal. While not smooth enough for casual drinking, this wine is arguably the most unique of the bunch.
Reds
Il Cuore Rosso Classico 2001 ($12)
This wine is made from a blend of Tuscan grapes and does not stand out in any particular way. While very drinkable, the most interesting aspects of this otherwise flat wine were its slight spice and bitter, mouth-puckering finish. Expect guests to be happy to down this bottle with dinner, but more reluctant to save it a spot in their own cellars.
Majella "The Musician" Cabernet and Shiraz 2004 ($17)
Sometimes a big-ticket wine (well, big-ticket compared to our other options) isn't that much better than competitors half its price. What "The Musician" possesses in uniqueness, it somehow loses in balance. The wine's bouquet is immediately filled with olives and sea salt, then hitting the palate with an unctuous amount of bark and spice. This wine might not be worth its full retail price, but it would be worth trying by the glass, simply to sample the bold components.
Rex Goliath Pinot Noir 2003 ($8)
For those of you familiar with the oenophile cult-film Sideways, the character of Miles effectively represents the Pinot Noir varietal. Often times confused and neurotic, but when right, oh-so-mysterious and affecting, Pinot Noir is a grape for the sensitive and analytical wine drinker. This version offers a glimpse into that complex world with its sweet cherries and lingering hints of cinnamon. Perhaps a little on the sweet side, it is worth trying if you enjoy the fruitiness of Rieslings. To quote Miles, "Quaffable, but not transcendent."
Les Jamelles Cabernet Sauvignon ($10)
This is a fine example of how a widely utilized grape like Cabernet Sauvignon can encompass characteristics from numerous other grapes. This wine is admirably balanced, incorporating some of the olives and sea salt from "The Musician" but tempering that with subtle undertones of ripe plum and green vegetables. The clear winner and most drinkable of the reds, Les Jamelles takes an oft-boring grape and reinvigorates it.
Purchasing Guide
You may have noticed that some of our "cheap" wines come at a cost of $12 or $17. While that may be a pittance in the elite wine world, it's a bit much for the average college student. So, why did we include these choices? Here's the secret: We only paid $6 for them!!! How, you ask? That's one of the big tips when it comes to buying wines-get to know your sommelier (that's French- speak for wine person). Stores often have one or two bottles of a particular brand they're looking to get rid of at a big discount to make room for new shipments. Remember, wine gets better with age, so you're not just getting spoiled leftovers.
Which brings us to our next tip, if you're looking for good and cheap, don't go to a place that features just the latter. Instead, check out a specialty store that still has a range of prices. The wine expert at Fowler's knows a lot more about wine than your typical Kroger cashier and the store is just as conveniently located. She can guide you to a wine suited to your unique tastes or something more neutral to serve in a group setting. Blander, sweeter wines are more likely to be drinkable by everyone but less likely to be anyone's favorite.
Most importantly, don't be embarrassed by your lack of knowledge. Most people (college-aged and otherwise) couldn't pronounce Gewurztraminer if their life depended on it. That's okay. It takes time and tasting to navigate l'art de vin, so try different things-dry, oaky and even fruit-flavored, if you must-and figure out the flavors that please your palate.
Caitlin Donnelly
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