YUEI: Drinks That Won't Do in Your Wallet
Monday, April 13, 2009
Contributors to Your Uncommon Economic Indicators tell us that, no matter how small the budget, they won't give up a good drink. To suggest some affordable options that still deliver on taste are Will Stephens, who started the website BeerMenus.com and Jean Reilly, wine educator, restaurant consultant and editor of editor of The Professional Wine Reference.
What's your favorite recession drink? Post it below!
Comments [33]
myopenbar.com
lists open bars all over the city.
Here is a follow up from Jean:
Brancott Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, $9.99 Fresh and bright, really great value
Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc from California $7.49 Fabulous value
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile $6.99 A wine that keeps makers of expensive wines up at night
Trader Joe’s Coastal Chard – $4.99 A small step up from Two-Buck-Chuck but a big increase in value.
Villa Maria Unoaked Chardonnay from New Zealand - $8.99 Very fresh, with more fruit and less butter taste.
Bonny Doon Pacific Rim Dry Riesling $6.99 Perfect with Asian-fusion food!
Reds
Archeo Nero d’Avola from Sicily $4.99 This is one of the wines I served at a large party I threw recently.
Villa Cerrina Montepulciano d'Abruzzo $4.99 Very similar to a Chianti; great with hearty Italian food.
D’Arenberg Stump Jump – Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre $9.99 Really tasty juice from down under
Cline Red Truck $7.49 – The funky name and cool label make this a great wine to bring to a party.
Some of my favorite stores for value wines and some of the best of their current offerings. Unlike TJ's these stores all offer free delivery for orders over a minimum size. Your listeners are also welcome to email me with any questions at ReillyNYC@Yahoo.com
Manhattan
Garnet on Lexington and 68
Jacob’s Creek Shiraz-Cabernet $7
Borsao Campo de Borja $7
Gotham on Broadway and 94
Jacob’s Creek Riesling (Australia) $7.99
Borsao (Spain) $7.49
Sangre de Toro (Spain) $7.99
PJ Wine on Broadway and 207
Bodegas Alto Almazora Este Monastrell $8.99
Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel $7.99
Astor Wines – Lafayette at East 4th Street
Jacob's Creek Brut Cuvee Sparkling Wine $9.99
Mia Prosecco $5.99
Errazuriz Merlot Estate $9.99
Brooklyn
Prospect Wine Shop in Prospect Park
Gnarly Vines in Fort Greene
Geez, even this crowd's cheap beer comes with a designer label.
Thanks for all your comments. Before our show, Jean had sent these two recommendations:
Nero d'Avola from Southern Italy that sells for just $6 at Trader Joe's and a Tempranillo from Spain that sells for the same price and it's a knock out. She may add here later, so check back.
Ditto on the sangria (#21).
I buy a nice bottle of tempranillo for $7, add the juice of 2 oranges, 1/4 cup sugar, and 2 cups of seltzer. Float 1 sliced orange in the bowl if you like. Make sure everything is chilled.
It's delicious and cheap--I've been drinking it at home every weekend for the last several months. Goes really well with pizza or any cheesy, saucy pasta. I splurged one day and made manchego mac and cheese with chorizo for a real Spanish experience. Yum!
You can see the places that offer growlers in NYC here, which includes the beers they currently offer:
http://www.beermenus.com/lists/places-to-get-growlers-fresh-draft-beer-at-home-
Charlie,
Beside the difference in taste, buying a more expensive bottle of vodka might cause one to drink with greater awareness and appreciation.
I have a bottle of one of the higher priced vodkas in the cupboard. It's 3/4 full. I've had it for over a year.
Sometimes, less is more.
More sources for growlers:
http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/food/2008/08/22/2008-08-22_drink_beer_cheaper_with_a_growler.html
joe's comment re: a slice of lemon in white wine was not so crazy! i spent much time in the south of italy and saw my italian boyfriend and others doing that often, especially on sweltering summer afternoons. I still enjoy it that way from time to time...
ps guess "cocktails" do not really make the economic drinking agenda...?
(20) Nick,
Yes on Growlers...see http://www.divebarnyc.com/
Happy Hour Alert!
If you're looking to save a buck, check out http://www.Coovents.com, NYC's most useful happy hour service.
On Coovents, we list happy hours that are going on now and ones that are coming up.
Bar hopping will never be the same!
Greg
Coovents.com
Well, here are some:
http://tastingtable.com/entry_detail/nyc/178/Bring_your_growler_These_bars_pour_takeout_beer.htm
Sangria anyone? Summer's coming and it's a great way to stretch the aperitif budget.
Growlers - can someone clarify - are there bars in NYC that will let you take a bucket of beer out!? if so where are they?
I love to serve red wines a little colder than room temperature...
A few favorites, all under $10:
- Borsao (Spain)
- Astica (Argentina)
- Monte Onton (Spain)
The above wines are a blend of Granache and Syrah, to a greater or lesser degree.
Truth is, there are plenty of good wines under $10. The best way to discover them is to go to tastings...the better wine shops are probably keen on showing off their better budget buys right now.
What does the guest think of these on line wine clubs?
I'm a vodka (with seltzer/club soda) drinker and I defy anyone to tell the difference between the "high priced" brands (i.e. Kettel 1, Absolut, etc.) and some of the good (very) low price brands such as Laird's (made in New Jersey) or Poland Springs. If you're paying $30-40+ for a 1.75 liter bottle, you're throwing your money away when a clean, clear, no-after-taste can be purchased for as low a $11.99 retail.
we'll post all of Jean's recommendations on our chat at the end of the segment...don't worry!
$2 Chuck? You get what you pay for. Why even drink wine if you're drinking swill? (ditto Yellow Tail)
To save money while drinking outside of home: find a bar you like and go there a lot. You will be amazed at the savings you can achieve becuase of the "buy-back" principle. A real regular customer, especially one who brings friends in from time to time, can expect a 2-for-1 ratio of total drinks to paid-for drinks at many locations. Also, of course, don't forget to tip well.
New Zealand 2008 Sauv Blanc is equiv to 2007 domestic/northern Hemishpere...
What about Riesling? Best values out there. Pacific Rim Dry Riesling is exceptional!
CAN YOUR LADY GUEST REPEAT THE WINES SHE LIKES PLEASE???
THANK YOU!
I have a good idea to save money on drinks...don't drink
South American wine is a better deal that California! Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc from Chile or any Malbec from Argentina - under $10 and what we keep as our house wine!
Agreed--life is too short for the toxic hangover you get from "$2 Chuck" and Yellow Tail. There are many great wines for $10 or less--but there ain't nothing worth drinking for $2 (except a bottle of decent beer)
I buy Block Box boxed wine - about $20 equals 4 bottles! the cab is my favorite.
black box merlot - it's won awards - $22 for a box equal to 4 bottles.
I've bought 'Black Box' boxed wine. It's equal to 4 bottles of wine for about $20! last for 1 month.
Great to hear Mario Murillo subbing for Brian Lehrer-- funny, well-informed, excellent choice.
Good bargains in Argentina and Chile!
and for beer.... happy hours all over NYC offer great beers for 2-for-1
Drink prices in bars seemed to have gone up. My friend and I went shopping for flasks the other day.
Gato Negro and Rolling Rock... Oh the humanity!
Life is too short to drink bad booze.
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