Chard, Cab, and Pinot are the Big Three in wine. If you drink only what's popular, you might be bored with these. And with demand comes higher prices. What are some alternative wine varietals that are similar and possibly less expensive?
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| America's favorite Chardonnay |
Chardonnay
Chardonnay won the popularity contest in America with the Judgment of Paris in 1976 so it has spent decades as the country's number one or number two wine. You can find some decent Chardonnays for less than $20. You might be perfectly happy with this if you're just looking for a chilled glass of wine you don't have to think about. If you were, however, to compare it to most $50+ Chardonnay, you'd discover what good Chard is. For me, that's a lot of money to spend on a white wine.
Viognier (vee ohn yay) is similar to Chardonnay and is often priced better. The wine can be aged in oak barrels, making it very similar to the typical American Chardonnay. Viognier can be blended with other Rhone whites, usually Roussanne, Marsanne, and Grenche Blanc. These blends also make nice wines.
Pinot Gris/Grigio is already a popular white wine, though not really similar to Chardonnay. It is lighter, more refreshing, and cheaper. This wine has a straight-forward fruity style and pairs well with lighter dishes.
Chenin Blanc (shen in blahnk) is a less-expensive alternative. It tends to be a little spicy and higher in acidity making it more crisp than most American Chardonnay. Chenin Blanc's style sits between the soft, full-bodied Chards and the leaner, higher acid SBs.
Albarino (al ba reen yo) is bright, aromatic, light-bodied, citrusy, and with minerality. It's a great seafood wine. This wine is a big deal in its native Spain and Portugal. In California, Albarino has been growing in popularity with wineries for the past decade.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the top wine in America. Napa Valley Cab is known worldwide. With celebrity status comes high prices. Your first alternative might be Cabernet grown elsewhere in the state. Sonoma County, Paso Robles, and the lesser-known Livermore Valley and Lake County are the main growing locations for good California Cab. Alexander Valley in Sonoma County is a sweet spot for excellent Cabernet for a lot less money than Napa Cabs. Also, Washington State is known for Cab (and Syrah).
Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc, other Bordeaux grapes, are obvious choices for alternatives. These are similar, but with softer tannins, so less aging is required. Cab Franc is rising in popularity, so prices aren't any less than Cab Sauv. Merlot has been going the other way, losing popularity, so that's where you might find decent prices. Malbec isn't a popular wine grape in the U.S., but there are plenty of imports, with Argentina leading the way.
Syrah is another easy choice for a Cab alternative, and it's less expensive. Syrah tends to be bold with spicy and smoky characteristics. Most Syrahs do better with some age, but don't age as long as Cabernet Sauvignon, as the tannins are softer. Both wines are made for red meats, but Syrah is better with grilled foods, BBQ, smoked meats and spicy meats.
Tempranillo (tem prah nee yoh) vineyards are increasing in America. The wines can be fresh and fruity to bold and savory, the latter style is more like a typical Cabernet. The savory ones pair well with red meats. Tempranillo generally has less intense flavors and is more earthy than Cabernet. Both can take several years for the tannins to soften.
There are several varietals from other parts of the world such as Mourvedre (France), Nero D'Avola (Sicily), Aglianico (Italy), Tannat (France), Carmenere (Chile), and Monastrell (Spain) that are often described as tannic and meaty, but usually don't have the richness or elegance of a California Cabernet. They still might be worth a try.
Pinot Noir
Pinot has been the trendy wine for a couple of decades now. It's popular because it doesn't require much if any aging, it's easy drinking by itself, plus pairs with lots of foods. Good ones are balanced, elegant, and complex. Up and down coastal California and NW Oregon are bright spots for this grape. The Russian River Valley in Sonoma County is the best-known region for Pinot Noir in America. Pinot is quite pricey, so some consumers are looking for cheaper alternatives.
Gamay is fresh, light, fruity and less complex than Pinot. The acidity is similar, making it a zesty food-friendly wine. French Beaujolais is mostly Gamay.
Grenache is one of the most-planted grapes in the world, with its home in Spain. It is a lighter bodied wine like Pinot, but more fruit-forward and less complex. Grenache is very easy drinking so it's a wine you don't have to think about, just enjoy.
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| America's favorite Pinot Noir It's a mediocre wine, a little sweet, and a cheap crowd-pleaser |
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