Wine Sediments

The Boston Globe recently published a list of top wines available for $10 or less. “Plonkapalooza” began with 50 wine picks from five regional stores which were evaluated in a blind tasting by local bartenders and buyers.

Despite the strength of the euro, the majority of finalists were European. No wines were nominated from inexpensive powerhouse Australia, whereas a surprising number were from South Africa, whose market penetration in the US has been slow.

Top performers:

• Whites: 2005 Ken Forrester Petit Chenin (South Africa); 2005 Weingut Gebruder Steffes, Kaseler Kehrnagel Riesling Kabinett (Germany); 2005 Zeta Viura/Chardonnay (Spain); 2005 Mar de Castilla Verdejo (Spain); 2005 La Chappelle de la Bastide Picpoul de Pinet (France).
• Reds: 2003 Chateau La Grange Clinet Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux (France); 2004 Leone de Castris, Salice Salentino “Maiana” (Italy); 2005 Trere Sangiovese di Romagna “Vigna del Monte” (Italy); 2003 Les Vergnes Bordeaux (France); 2004 Sepp Neusiedlersee Zweigelt (Austria).

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