In last week’s article I called Trader Joe’s Charles Shaw wine “swill.”  Little did I know that there’s an underworld Charles Shaw Mafia, and those wine-OHs don’t take too kindly to such disrespect to their Capo.  I received a few blistering emails from the Charles Shaw Syndicate, and all of them ended with a variation of “show me a better wine at the same price.”

Fair enough.

Here’s a list of five inexpensive wines that beat Charles Shaw in value and quality.  Hands down:

14 Hands Merlot - $9.79
Washington State
78% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
Barrel fermented for 12 months in French and American Oak, this Merlot has structured, round tannins with plum and darkberry fruit.  Finishes with a bit of spice that pleasantly adds to its texture. 

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Aveleda - $6.50
Charamba Red
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca (Field Blend)
Douro, Portugal
BIG, jammy fruit explodes with this wine.  Very soft wine that drinks round and rich.  Not tannic at all (the tannins offer the “bite” or chalkiness to a wine).  Produced by one of the most prestigious wine-making families in Portugal with Royal ancestry woven throughout their family tree.  Can you say that about Chuck Shaw?

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2005 Velt 1 - $4.99
Gruner Veltliner
Burgenland, Austria
Instead of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, try a Gruner Veltliner next time.  Known as “Gru-Vee” – it even sounds cool to say.  This stylish bottle contains a clean wine rich in tropical notes topped with grapefruit.  Finish has white pepper and ginger.

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Kelly’s Revenge - $5.99
Shiraz
South East Australia
Plummy, jammy fruit with a bit of smoky oak.  Easy drinker that is unapologetic in its simplicity.

Cheers!

The Vino Vixen™ is Mari Stull – Syndicated wine columnist, correspondent for Wine Taste TV, and member of the Society of Wine Educators. Have a wine question or comment for Mari?  She can be reached at VinoVixen@vinovixen.com.