Tax Time Tippling: Wines for Every Tax Bracket

It’s said that only two things are certain in life: death and taxes. They also say, “Life is too short to drink cheap wine.” But if you’ve been hit especially hard by the tax man this year, you may have to drink cheap wine, at least temporarily. With that in mind, we have chosen some inexpensive but still delicious wines that are just perfect with a steady diet of cocina pobre.

On the other hand, some of us are lucky enough to be breaking even this year, while others will be rejoicing over a big, fat refund check. For the break-even crowd, we have chosen a couple of wonderful and reasonably priced “mid-range” wines, a term that refers to price, not flavor. If there’s a large sum coming your way, go ahead and splurge on a bottle that you may have considered out of your reach. Buy a bottle, cook up a storm, and celebrate that special combination of wise planning and good luck that makes tax day a reason to party rather than grieve. Whatever your fortune, Happy Tax Day!

Inexpensive Wines:

Bolla Pinot Noir 2011, $9: We think it’s hard to find a good wine for under $10, and this one proves us wrong every time. Flavors of cherry with touches of chocolate and orange zest go well with pork, chicken, or even seafood in tomato sauce.

Clean Slate Riesling 2011, $11:  A Riesling from the German Mosel River Valley, this dry white with white peach and citrus notes has bright acidity pleasant minerality.

Santa Rita Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2011, $12: Crisp and bright with flavors of grapefruit, jasmine, and peach, this Chilean white is ideal with seafood or on its own.

The Wishing Tree Shiraz 2011,  $13: We love Shiraz with grilled meats or empanadas. This fruit forward red from Australia has flavors of raspberry, black pepper, and spice. 

Break-even Wines:

We consider $20 to $35 the “sweet spot” when it comes to finding consistently great wines at a good price. There are far too many to mention, but here is what we’re drinking this week:

Chene Bleu Rosé 2012, $28: A blend of Syrah and Grenache from Provence, this rosé is the taste of summer in a glass. Fruit notes are nicely balanced by minerality and flavors of Mediterranean herbs. Drink it on the deck or with dinner.

Urlari Pervale 2009, $32: Pervale is a Super Tuscan blend of 25% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot, and 7% Alicante Bouschet. Many wines from the area trade in the $150-plus range, so the rich flavors of mixed wild berries, vanilla, and white chocolate will make you glad you broke even this year.

Chateau Lagrange 2005, $80: A blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot, from St. Julien. 2005 was a great year, and this is almost a bargain compared to other wines from Bordeaux. It has beautiful mouthfeel and flavors of blackberry, cassis, and baking spices. Planning on sending a thank you gift to your accountant? A magnum of Lagrange ’05 will set you back $198, but isn’t she the one who got you that great refund?

Ferrari Giulio Ferrari, $100: A sparkling wine from northern Italy, Ferrari lets you hear the pop and whoosh of a true celebratory bottle when you pop the cork. Flavors of citrus, vanilla, and honeysuckle are wonderful with oysters or caviar.

Chateau d’Issan 2005, $100: This is from the Margaux appellation in Bordeaux, and compared to what wine from some of the neighbors can cost, it is hardly a splurge at all! It is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, with a beautiful texture and luscious flavors of black cherry, violet, and rose petal. Since you are celebrating, consider a Magnum (1500 ml, or two bottles) for $198, a Double Magnum for $595, or invite all your friends over and share an Imperial (6 liters, or 8 bottles) for $1190.  

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rosé, $219: Celebrations call for Champagne, and this is a beauty. Flavors of cherry, cassis, and strawberry mingle with almond blossoms and spice. This is great on its own, but try it with veal, chicken, or paella.