If you are like most Las Vegas locals, your purse strings are a little tighter nowadays, and when shopping for wine, you look for a good bargain without sacrificing quality. Fortunately there are many delicious and often surprising wines to choose from if you just have a willingness to explore.
Your exploration begins with a trip to the market. Pick out something new to sample. If you are spending less than $15 per bottle, sometimes even much less, buying a bottle seems not so much like splurging as getting a ridiculous deal on something you would have bought anyway. Pick a bottle that is new to you, perhaps from a different region or country. If you don’t know anything about the wine you are choosing, all the better. Remember, this is supposed to be an exploration. You never know what you will find, but you will discover some wines that you love along the way.
One place in Las Vegas where you can find a great little selection of inexpensive wines is Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market. Their wines usually range in price from $3.99-$21.99, with wines from all over the world to choose from. This article is the first in a series that will feature a value wine you can find at Fresh & Easy, and tell you a little bit about what to expect.
Let’s start with the 2009 Long Country Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon out of Colchagua Valley, Chile. This wine region is known for producing some of Chile’s best Cabernets. The bottle retails for $6.99 and it is worth every penny and more.
The first thing you will notice is the deep dark ruby color, followed by aromas of ripe black cherry, blackberry, and smoky spice. Take a sip and you will swear you just ate a chocolate covered cherry with hints of earthiness, anise and subtle oak. The wine is a little dry, but glides across the tongue like silk, lingering for a few moments before you take another sip. If you are sharing with friends, don’t tell them what a screaming deal you got, and see what they think you paid for this Cabernet. Then decide if you want to share your little secret.
Pair this wine with a nice steak, braised lamb or a hard aged cheese. Fresh & Easy can also help you out there. Until the next time and the next wine, enjoy exploring on your own. Cheers!
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