The Wine Slob Expert Wine reviewer of wine under $10.00. What is the Wine Slob? A better question is who is the Wine Slob? The Wine Slob is a contributing author to the Wine Snob Newsletter. Unlike the lofty focus on premium vintage wines of the Wine Snob, the Wine Slob seeks the finest Vino bottled and delivered for under 10 bucks. Similar to the Wine Snob, the Wine Slob is completely independent and accepts no sponsorship from any vineyard. Unlike the Wine Snob who accepts no sponsorship due to integrity in reporting, the Wine Slob accepts no sponsorship due to a lack of offers.

The Wine Slob, me, recommends wines priced for everyday consumption. I also recommend that you drink these wines everyday to make sure I'm doing my job. I use a three tier review test when considering wines:

1. Did I like it?
2. Was it worth the money?
3. Would I buy it again?

If a wine fails the first tier then I will often suggest that it should have been packaged in a box. Sometimes a wine passes the first 2 tiers but is not worth a second try. This means that you can include it in your mixed case but try it before you buy more. An affirmative response to all 3 is a solid recommendation to buy.

If I really like a wine I will often buy a case and recommend that the reader does the same. I would appreciate if you would wait until I bought my case or the liquor store may run out and then raise the price when they restock. I typically recommend buying the case because it is a good wine for the price and an even better wine with a 10% discount. I sometimes taste wines for over $10 but get them for under $10 with a discount.

Keep this in mind: You know your red wine needs to be aerated with a blender when...... 1. It comes in a box for $3.99. 2. Label recommends use as a marinade 3. Originally used to clean grease off of bike gears 4. Typically served with fruit...in the glass 5. Used by American Indians to induce spiritual contact after rattle snake bites 6. Used as drink base to prove manhood in African Tribe 7. Used as Tequila substitute by macho Mexican gangs in Los Angeles

I always tell readers the price I paid before the discount. I admittedly cheat by recommending these wines but it is up to the reader to keep me honest. I also describe the food I served with the wine. If I don't mention how I prepared the food, then you can be sure it was cooked on the grill.

Remember, the liver is like any other muscle; it requires exercise to remain strong.

The Wine Slob
Chris Connors- a frugal man who is masterful with carnivorous foods on the grill!

Napa Ridge Chardonnay 96 - $6.50 - At $6.50 a bottle, I liked it!

Napa Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 96 -$6 - Decent wine at $6/bottle. A little spicy but not as much as Kenwood. Pretty rich, giving a chard-like taste. If you can't decide whether you want a S. Blanc or a chard., give this a try. (grilled chicken leg quarters or swordfish).

Chateu Ste Michelle, Cold Creek Vineyard, Merlot 95- Columbia Valley ($gift) - Very nice! Rich, smooth and delicious. Will probably get better with time. Standing rib roast stuffed with garlic. Great, great, great!

Di Majo Norante - Sangiovese 97 - $8 - Dry red wine (like a smooth Chianti, but better). I liked it. ItÕs worth the money. IÕll buy it again, a couple of times. Went great with tomato and Italian sweet sausage sauce over pasta. Nice picture of a dragon slayer on the label.

Guest Reviews from the Wine Slob Hanna, Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, 1997 - $10 I Like It! Nice citrus base with a spicy finish. It is crisp and refreshing served refrigerator cold or cellar temperature. I served it with N. Atlantic salmon marinated in soy sauce and lemon. When grilling the salmon, flip it skin side down for the last two minutes and put the grill on high. After flipping the salmon, squeeze half of a lemon over the salmon and close the grill. The only reason I did not finish the bottle was because I wanted to try it with my grilled chicken the next evening. This one is a buy!

Alice White Chardonnay, south Eastern Australia 1997 - $7 This is a good bottle of wine for the price. It is not a heavy nor sophisticated Chardonnay but very drinkable. Its nose leads you to believe that it will have a buttery finish but it doesnÕt. ThatÕs okay, it is much more like the French chards with a sharper, less robust taste. The label discusses a book about an Australian, female adventurer in 1852. I have visions of her riding on horseback. It was worth the money and I would buy more, but because of the price, not the label image. I would say buy 2 bottles. Went well with North Atlantic salmon topped with cucs, red pepper, scallions, dill and cider vinegar but would be better with grilled chicken or white fish.

DeLorimier Chardonnay 1996 - $10 This wine was priced $16 a bottle and the price dropped to move left over inventory. The reason for the overstock was that it was a good wine but their Clonal Select was outstanding and priced at $24 a bottle. So, if you're going to overspend, then you might as well go for the best at that price point. However, at $10 a bottle (where it should have been priced), it is a buy. I'm splitting a case with my sister. Little pricing honesty here, if outside of CA you have to have it shipped and it's not cheap. Find some friends and split a few cases to reduce the per bottle shipping Chris Connors is the "Wine Slob" specializing in grilled foods & frugal wines!

A contributing editor for the Wine Snob Contact the Wine Slob Ð slob@thewinesnob.com

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