What’s the biggest problem with wine? It’s too fucking expensive! It’s supposed to be an everyday beverage, enjoyed by all, at every table. Right? Then what the Hell’s with all those damned $100+ Napa Valley “Cult” Cabernets? What are real people supposed to drink? Well, truth is, because of the economy, there are lots of great wines out there for less than $20. Even less than $10! And I’m gonna tell you about a few of them every week.
First up is a whole family of wines from a guy named Cameron Hughes. I’ve never met him, but I love this guy! Because Hughes has been kicking ass with great budget bottles that you can live with every day. See, Hughes is what the French call a Negociant. That’s somebody that doesn’t actually own any vineyards. Instead he buys (or negotiates) grapes, or raw wine, from growers and wineries, finishes and bottles them, under his label. So the guy’s got a lot less overhead than a full-blown winery. And in this economy, Hughes has found lots of grapes and wines at discounted prices because the owners are desperate for cash.
I find Cameron Hughes’s wines at Costco (a great source for wine bargains), but you may find them somewhere else. Plus, the guy’s got a great website — chwine.com —, full of tasting notes and info on his wines, like how much they might have cost if the original owner had sold them.
One of my Summer whites of the moment is the Cameron Hughes Lot 240 2009 Albarino Clarksburg, for just $8.99, at Costso. This is a Spanish white grape, grown in Clarksburg, CA. It’s kind of a cross between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. I’ve gone through a case of the stuff already!
I’ve also bought plenty of Cameron Hughes Zinfandels, Chardonnays, Syrahs and Cabernets. Hughes puts a pretty good little bit of info on the back label, so you can get an idea if a bottle might be a wine for you. If you see one, grab a bottle and try it. I’m betting you’ll be a Cameron Hughes fan too. Hey, I wouldn’t tell you about them if they sucked!
Cheers!
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