Yes, You CAN Find a Good Wine for Under $10

Have you ever picked up a cheap bottle of wine ($20 or under) and found that it nearly blew your socks off?  No, it wasn't the 18% alcohol or high octane fuel smell coming from the cork....er, make that bottle cap....but an actual LOVE for a bargain bottle of vino?  A couple of months ago while we were all hunkered down during the Coronavirus pandemic, we received a bottle of this 2018 King Rabbit Rosé as a gift.  I'm not normally a rosé wine fan, but I immediately fell in love with the cantaloupe-colored juice and gorgeous package.  

While we had planned to save this bottle for Easter dinner, it didn't work out that way and we popped this open on a whim one late afternoon.  This bottle had been in the refrigerator chilling (the best way to drink a rosé in my opinion) so we filled up a couple of glasses and headed to the back deck.  

The nose presented with lemon, lime and stone fruits with some flowery undertones.  This wasn't an intense aroma, but pleasing and yes, I admit, a bit mouth watering.  Rosé wines are dry and this one was no exception.  However, this little gem packed a ton of fruit including peach, cranberry and strawberry syrup.  A nice pop of acid rounds out the tasting on this Whole Food exclusive wine and the lingering finish keeps inviting you back.  

This is a VERY recommended wine, especially if you have guests who are looking for a lighter option or those who don't drink red wine.  Yes, believe it or not.........those people exist!   Enjoy!

ABV:  12.0%

Languedoc, France

Suggested retail price:  $9.99

Drink The Bottles score:  88/100

2016 Dawn's Dream Winery Pinot Noir Rosè

Most of the time people see pink wines, they probably think White Zinfandel.  And then come back flooding memories of a $9 gallon jug of brash, highly acidic and flavorless wine that you can barely choke down, only to wake up with heartburn for days.  Some much of that $3 bottle junk has turned people off of rosè wines because it's hard to get over the stigma and differentiate between junk and delicious rosè that is made from fine Pinot Noir.  So, have a seat, clear out the bad mojo and open your mind to this exquisite 2016 Dawn's Dream Winery Pinot Noir Rosè from the Santa Lucia Highlands.  Beautiful salmon colored in the glass from center to edge, this light wine presents stewed strawberries, brioche, watermelon and summer rain.  It's bright on the tongue and best served moderately chilled with very mild cranberry, strawberry and fresh bread dough in the mouth.  A cup of lobster bisque would be a great marriage, but so would a fresh vegetable platter, shrimp tempura or a number of lighter dishes.  This is absolutely stunning and one of those unfortunate times in which it is too bad you can't be here tasting this with me.  I can't say enough good things about this bottle!

ABV:  14.0%

Santa Lucia Highlands, California

Suggested retail price:  $35.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100