Ronga’s Rant

Black Friday for wineries has occurred. Almost 20% of the staff at one of the largest wineries, Jackson Family Wines (Kendall Jackson), was laid off on 1/30/09.  Also on 1/30 Robert Gary Andrus – founder of Pine Ridge Winery – passed on to another world, hopefully one flowing of wine. Pine Ridge is one of my favorites and if you ever get a chance to try their Malbec which is one of the few masterfully produced Malbecs in CA, then do it. It is not a stereotypical Argentinean Malbec, but just fills your mouth with richness and hits every level of the palate. The Pine Ridge Malbec is a rarity and I was fortunate, heck flat out blessed by Bacchus, to have an opportunity to drink this. Andrus did wonders at Pine Ridge and I have no doubt his legacy will be carried on.

Now, back to wineries being hit with Swine Flu. Why? First, people like me and you are trading down in our purchases. Gone are the days of $120 Silver Oak purchases and hello are the days of South African Pinotage and New Zealand Sauv Blancs. Thank goodness! I view this as a good thing, as if it wasn’t clear. There are plenty of quality and delicious wines for under $15 in these regions.

Second, we are not going out to eat as much and wineries focus heavily on their restaurant sales. Again – a good thing for me and you. Think of the mark up we get hit with at restaurants (sometimes 2x, sometimes 8x!) Wines stores on the other hand….we can find deals. Sweet, sweet deals. Some of my favorite wine stores by way of value include Wine Library in NJ, K&L Wines in SF, Twin Liquors in Austin, TX. Also, ever heard of a little store called Costco – number one when it comes to wine retailers!

So which wineries will make it? Not wineries that have put all their huevos in one basket (i.e. in on-premise – otherwise known as restaurants/bars). Wineries that have a strong focus in off-premise sales (i.e. retail stores) are hanging in there. Some believe small wineries are sunk. I have a different take. If a winery, small or large, has distribution, it can make it. However, in this environment a winery has to have quality wine offered under the $20 mark (with distribution). For example, if you are a small winery with distribution, produce quality wine and get it into the retailers, if you only offer $50+ wines, I say “good luck”. That is, in this environment.

Back to us, the consumers…. Just a couple grapes and wines to offer up if you are looking for wines under the $20 price point with exceptional value – I know I am. However, I caveat – these are exceptional for my palate, for my mouth. Yours is different than mine, surely!

My favorite:  Pinotage, red, usually South African (Graham Beck, Backsberg, Fairview, Nederburg, Kanokop all b/w $10 – 15) this is a smelly, dirty sweat sock, gym lock, blue cheesy kind of wine. Embrace it and eat it with cheese.

Another fav:  Chenin Blanc, white from Loire Valley in France, I prefer South Africa (Ken Forrester $14, Man Vintners $10, Winery of Good Hope $12) this is a full bodied white with a little honey and peach mixed with almond, mineral, and earthy tones depending on the wine and on your palate!

Love:  Malbec from Argentina, red (Bodegas Esmeralda Tilia $11, Alamos $10 – $15 depending on which selection, Norton $18) hints of oak, earthy, dark ripe rich juicy fruit (how’s that for some adjectives?)

Yummm:  New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, white (Nobilo $20, Brancott $18, Babich, $14) papaya, mango, guava, I’m on a tropical island with a lei around my neck sitting pool side with a piña colada in hand… yes acidic, but foresty and creamy.

What do you guys (who actually read this wee lil blog of mine) want from me? Education? Specific wine suggestions? Winery info? Stellar wine bars? Regional info?