Jul 11 2013

Why a $3 Wine from Aldi Is Worthwhile

Breaking from the usual review format to weigh in on a trend: Value Wine from Aldi.

So we opened up something called “Winking Owl Shiraz” last night.

And we were quite impressed. More on that particular vino in a second, but first, let’s talk about Value Wine from Aldi.

Really…what are you waiting for?

I’ve done more than my share of in-store wine tastings, wine demos and wine marketing over the past several years. I know that people have different preconceived notions, and those can be summed up in a few nice bullet points:

“All box wine is swill”
“I only drink [insert brand name here]”
“Unless you pay $10 for it, it’s cheap and undrinkable”

Not everyone is like this, mind you – but these are the “Big Three.”

(Item Four: “I have to taste it before I buy it.” Since some stores can’t – or won’t – allow you to actually taste the stuff, and since not all brands will do “wet tastings,” this is also one of those barriers to expanding one’s palate that is tough to overcome. In other words, if you’re not willing to take a chance on a wine (or a beer or a new spirit), then you’re likely only going to rely on what stores pour, and you’ll miss out.)

I can’t help you with point one…yet. We’re reviewing the box wines soon. Promise. Stay tuned.

Point two…well, that’s part of the problem with the business, especially wine. The big brands – let’s use Santa Margherita’s Pinot Grigio as an example – pour tons of money into marketing. You come to expect finding it on the shelves, and seeing it all over the place, and it becomes, say, the house white. And it feeds off itself, so it appears that’s all you see.

We’re all creatures of habit – and I’ve done it for years myself with what I consider the best beer known to man, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. It wasn’t until I thought to broaden my own horizons that I tried other things. And I’m glad I did.

So part of this rant – apologies – is to get you out of the habit of buying the same old stuff. And to get you, too, to broaden your own horizons.

Which brings us to point three – price.

I’ll only drink something that’s more than $10 a bottle.

Okay, then. But…what are you paying for, really? Are you paying for the wine itself? OR, more likely, are you paying for the marketing behind the wine?

Why IS “Two Buck Chuck” $2? And when is the last time you saw a Trader Joe’s billboard?

So, once you get beyond the fact that there may NOT be a ton of difference – even these days – between a $5 wine and a $50 wine, let’s talk about Aldi and its Winking Owl Shiraz.

Winking Owl Shiraz Review

At first blush, this wasn’t a typical shiraz. The nose was very shiraz-like, but it had a very peppery taste. At first.

Taste

It opened up after an hour or so, and we’re glad it did. Quite tasty, some fruit, but pretty dry. Good finish – blackberry, black pepper. (Label pictured below says “a hint of spice.” We agree.) Earthy as well.

Profile

Here’s where you just have to…well, throw caution into the wind. Bottle doesn’t say the alcohol content. Doesn’t say the year. In fact, it only says “California, USA.” Mmmmkay.

Value

I will sacrifice the above profile information for a bottle of wine that is MORE THAN DRINKABLE and only costs THREE DOLLARS. In fact, I’d wager that this would be the second-best value out there right now.

(Want to know more about the best value? Click here: Lil Koala.)

Metasip Grade: B+

Yes, you heard me. This wine cost us $3 and gets a B+.

So…now that you know we’re partial to Aldi wines and not afraid of trying something that’s $3 a bottle…where are you gonna shop next? Or what crazy thing are you gonna try? Let us know!

Jul 05 2013

Bulleit 95 Rye Whiskey

Bulleit Bourbon is known for their, well….. bourbon. They ventured into the rye whiskey field in 2011 shortly after they were added to the Diageo portfolio of distilled spirits. So,we have a small batch (read: craft) spirit produced by a consumer goods juggernaut who promised to be hands off in the distilling decision making. Here we go again…. or not?

Taste

First thing’s first. Out of the gate you get a pronounced, and spicy, rye punch. There is no mistaking this rye for anything else. The punch is short lived and mellows surprisingly fast and well. Bulleit 95 Rye Whiskey comes with no alcohol burn. None at all. It is one smooth whiskey that finishes very clean. None of the lingering back of the throat bouquet you find in its bourbon brother.

Profile

45% ABV, 90 Proof – No kidding. This is your father’s whiskey.

Value

$27.95 Retail, 750 ml

Metasip Grade: A

Seems Diageo was good for their word, leaving the product up to the distiller. At under $30 a bottle, Bulleit 95 Rye Whiskey is a steal. It compares favorably to rye whiskeys with better pedigree and costing significantly more money. I keep this one in my cabinet at all times.

BTW, I liked it so much, I created my own recipe. Here goes:

Old Jim Fashioned

2-3 fingers Bulleit 95 Rye

Lime Peel

Ginger Ale

Peychaud’s Bitters

Pour the Bulleit over ice, zest the lime peel into the glass (put the peel in for good measure), give a few good splashes of bitters and top with your desired amount of ginger ale.

Jun 30 2013

Kona Big Wave Golden Ale

I have to admit that I thought about the review of the Portuguese wine when I picked this stuff up.

Here’s the thing: I DO think of Hawaii when I drink this, but more in a “what beer would I drink after surfing?” sorta way.

Note to self: learn to surf.

Also, “Golden Ale” is code for “Lager.”

Taste

Not bad, really. Box talks about caramel, hops, etc., but I’m thinking lager the whole time.

“lighter bodied golden ale with a tropical hop aroma and flavor.”

Misleading nose: there’s not as much hop, and the bitter aftertaste doesn’t thrill me.

Profile

4.4% ABV

Value

$7.99 for a six-pack, so you pay a premium for “Hawaii.”

Metasip Grade: B-

No cartwheels were turned in the drinking of this beer.

In retrospect, we’d probably like to try other varieties from this brewery; and they score points for “realism in distribution.” They have facilities on the mainland (Oregon, Connecticut among them), so getting you the beer without having to pay crazy amounts on freight is something they score points for.

Jun 30 2013

Shiner Wild Hare Pale Ale

The Spoetzl Ale House, Shiner, Texas, is known for Shiner Bock. This is their pale ale and we were wondering if it’s any good.

Well…

We are still wondering.

This beer seems different each time we try it. Whether that’s our fault or not, we aren’t sure…but this is one perplexing pale ale.

To the review!

Shiner Wild Hare Pale Ale Review

Taste

The bottle gives it away: a complex character to this beer, thanks to “Munich malt, (which) nicely balances the assertive character of the US Golding and Bravo hop varieties.”

Yes, it’s bitter, but we have had pale ales that were more bitter than this.

Finish is not that clean. Aroma not too powerful.

Frankly, an underwhelming beer.

Profile

Why doesn’t it say on the bottle? We have to Google the alcohol content?

We did check: ABV of 5.7%, 28 IBUs.

Value

7 bucks for six bottles.

Metasip Grade: B-

Hmmmm. Not very memorable, and that’s its downfall.

Jun 30 2013

Xingu Black Beer

Three years, three months ago, I gave up soda.

I mention this because I don’t really miss the stuff – after all, the nutritional value of beer is greater than the empty calories you’ll get from a cola. (Right?)

But my first venture into this Black Beer from Brazil got me thinking…

Am I actually drinking soda again?

Hey, we’ve teased you a little here, why not have us dive in to the review?

Xingu Black Beer Review

First of all, what’s with beer web pages? Really?

The page for Xingu Beer has a lizard holding the bottle. I think they’re trying to sell us more on the rainforest than anything.

Xingu is a river in Brazil. It’s also the name of a group of indigenous people. So you can feel semi-exotic while drinking the stuff – though, to be honest, not as exotic as we felt while sipping Portuguese wine.

Taste

Like cola.

Cola with no bubbles – there wasn’t much by way of beer carbonation here, no foam, no “hey, this is a beer” feel to this beer. Not that that was a bad thing, or a good thing. In this case…a thing.

Molasses and some sugar and some honey in the aftertaste. Not much of a nose, either. Extremely average, actually.

You have to like the “schwarzbier” style of beer. That’s German for “Black Beer.” Frankly, not my thing.

Profile

4.7% ABV. So right in the middle, eh? As we mentioned, a schwarzbier.

Value

I paid $4 for a bottle at World of Beer. Haven’t found a six-pack yet – but haven’t looked for one, either. It was that average a beer.

Metasip Grade: B-

I would give this a “C+,” except that wouldn’t be fair to porter, stout, and schwarzbier drinkers.

This is more for that class of drinkers – and I’m an ale first, lager second, pilsner third sort of guy. This class isn’t one I frequent…maybe you’ve had better experience? Let us know below – give it a rating!