Good Cheap Wine Guide

 Dynamic Red Table Wine California 2006 $8.99

sold exclusively at Trader Joes

 

 RANKING: Serve to Guests

Well I fell for a label again.  The Mediterranean tower-home gave this wine an “old country” look that I couldn’t resist.  How in the world Trader Joes keeps finding well priced little gems like this I dont know.  This one is from Ceago Vineyards.  According to their website: http://www.dynamicvineyards.com/“Ceago is derived from a Pomo Indian word (spoken “Shee-ye-ho”) that meant “grass-seed valley”.  Like the Native Americans who were here before us, we believe that people must interact with the land in an essential, nurturing fashion, to assure long-term quality and prosperity.”

The mission of Ceago, “…to craft small lots of wine from estate grown organic and biodynamic grapes using the best of Old and New World winemaking techniques.”  turned out a great product in their California Lake County Red Table Wine.  It’s a good cheap wine.  This was a great wine quest that may turn into a case purchase!  Come to find out the tower on the label is where homeopathic teas are prepared for the grapes to enrich the soil.  That’s California.  Here in the Midwest, I wonder… which tea works on crabgrass?

What Others Say:According to the label this wine is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah and 20% Malbec.  There is a lot of information about Ceago and biodynamic grapes but no tasting notes or other review information that I could easily find. 

What I Thought: Great wine.  I would have been even more swayed had I read about the winery first.  I do find the organic and biodynamic wine movements interesting. (like shade grown coffee?)  This wine is aptly named.  It’ s a great table wine with an earthy feel on the tongue.  By that I mean there is a fruitiness that doesn’t allow you to get too serious.  There seems to be also a hint of cinnamon.  The malbec brings over its peppery finish as well.  Oh yeah… $8.99 a bottle.   I really enjoyed it. 

Learn more about biodynamic grapes from Ceago’s website.

Cheers from the wine oaf!  Happy Labor Day.