Good Cheap Wine Guide

Berringer Chenin Blanc 2006 $4.99

RANKING: Good Enough for My Numb Tongue

 A group of us that work together had a little picnic a week or so ago.  Of course it rained which washed out the softball and tennis, but we still had a great time meeting each others spouses and family.  (I am sure many people left wondering how my wonderful wife puts up with the wine oaf.)  The grill was on and the food was great so we all sat around, ate too much and told stories.  Yes some stories started out like, ” Tell me how you made this potato salad!”, or “Once upon a time next to the color copier….”  but most of the time we just shared life experiences, talked about our families and listened to our ball club win a game that was meaningless in the standings.  Good kitchen table stuff.  The kind of afternoon you would expect John McCain to approve of.  He’d pull up in the Straight Talk Express, grill some ribs, Govenor Palin would pull up in a minivan totin’ some Jager….  God bless America.

The firm’s owners brought burgers, hot dogs, buns, sodas, water and standard picnic fare.  Every one else brought chips, sides, desserts and the  beverage of their choice.  Of course there was beer and a bottle of the Berringer 2006 Chenin Blanc.  The bottle sat chilling with the iced beer standing out like Heidi Klum at the neighborhood bowling alley.  This was a good cheap little wine for a picnic.  I almost went to the “Serve Proudly to Friends” level here but I couldn’t quite get there.  Still, I’d take the Berringer to another picnic. 

What Other Say: Tasting Notes

Gentle handling and careful attention is given to the Chenin Blanc grapes from the vine to the glass. To retain the delicate varietal flavors of crisp citrus, melon, and spicy ginger, Beringer’s winemakers chill the juices immediately following crush and continue to closely monitor the temperature throughout fermentation. Just before dryness, they cool the juices even further to halt fermentation and retain a smooth, lush mouthfeel and lingering finish.

What I Thought: Seems really wild that Berringer makes wines that sell for hundreds of dollars and wines that run me five bucks.  Kind of like buying a hot dog at a gourmet restaurant.  Anyway…onto the wine quest.  Definitely a smooth fruity palate (peachy-peary kind of thing), lush and pleasant finish. This is not a tart wine so soft and velvety on the tongue.  Great with picnic table foods like potato salad, baked beans and that stuff Bob’s wife always makes.  Unfortunately I can attest to the fact that this good cheap little wine also compliments cookie bars, chocolate friendship bread and 6 other dessert offerings. (”Diet tomorrow! ” which sounds more serious in Latin “Perdo Pondus Cras!”) Not a bad little wine for $4.99 right?

Cheers from the wine oaf!