For those looking to stock their wine cellar in the $40-$80 per bottle range, will notice that many of the budget-friendly wines I recommended also produce premium wines in this category.
At this level, wines have greater aging potential, usually at least three to five years, and sometimes longer depending on the producer.
Broaden your search to include California, where wines have increased in price dramatically over the past ten years, even though that’s softening somewhat with the currency exchange.
The Sunshine State offers great wines in this range, particularly chardonnays and cabernets from Arrowood, Sterling, Frog’s Leap, Kenwood and RH Philips.
Also try zinfandel from Cline, Ravenswood, Ridge, Rosenblum and Renwood. Affordable pinot noir from Oregon is worth having on hand: Amity Vineyards, Eyrie, Domain Drouhin Oregon, Erath and Firesteed.
Stock up on Italian amarone, brunellos and barolos from Banfi, Antinori, Masi and Boscaini.
Tawny and vintage ports from Sandeman, Warre’s, Dow and Taylor-Fladgate should also be part of your collection.
Here are the dream wines to buy when budget is not a concern.
