Wine-ing on a Budget: Wines For Under $10 a Bottle

Posted on by caitlin

If life were perfect, we would all be able to drink nice, expensive wine all the time. But it’s not. Instead, we have budgets. Like, wine under $10 budgets.

I decided to take an adventure to Total Wine and travel around the world (read: travel through the aisles) to find wines for under $10 a bottle. I wanted to get wines from a variety of regions and see how they all compared. I picked 10 bottles, and of those, would definitely buy 9 of them again!

Without further ado, here are my thoughts on each!

 

  1. Condado de Eguren Trempranillo 2013

This wine was my favorite of the bunch, and would be my first pick to purchase again. It was great right out of the bottle, and only got better as it opened up. It has a peppery flavor to it, and ends with a touch of sweetness in every sip. If you like “big” wines, you’ll like this one. It’s well-rounded in flavor, and smells delightful, too!

Bottle of tempranillo

  1. Cren della Lepre Piemonte Barbera 2015

This Italian wine was a good one. It has a mild flavor, but isn’t sweet or fruit-forward. Lots of other cheap wines hide behind “sweetness”, but this one doesn’t at all! Even though it’s a cheap bottle, it is reminiscent of some “fine wines” I’ve had in the past that are full of body and have complex flavors. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy this one again!

Bottle of wine with glass of wine in front

  1. Kitchen Sink California Red Table Wine (Santa Rosa)

This wine is a blend of Zinfindel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Syrah. It has a smooth body too it and is an easy drinking wine. This one is also great right out of the bottle. The complex flavor of the Syrah really comes through at the end, which I love! It’s also nice to get a good California wine for under $10!

Bottle of wine with glass of wine in front
How perfect is this glass that a friend of mine gave me…my new favorite!

  1. Hermes Red Dry Wine

This wine is fruit-forward with a dry finish. It is from Greece, but reminds me of a California Pinot Noir in terms of its body. It is light in color and flavor, and goes well with light meals. It gets smoother and more flavorful the longer it is open, so this one is worth decanting.

Bottle of wine with glass of wine in front

  1. Nostrada Estate Wines Garnacha Campo de Borja 2015

This is an easy-to-drink, everyday wine. Like the Hermes, the flavor improves the longer this wine is open. It has a balanced flavor, and doesn’t overdo the fruit or tannins. This wine isn’t too dry and has a great finish overall.

bottle of rioja wine

  1. La Putere Recas (Romania)

Who knew good wines come from Romania? It’s little-known wine producing region, which may help explain the inexpensive price. This wine is very fruit-forward, and has flavors of cooked berries and blueberry in the first sip. It is a really unique wine—I’ve never tasted such distinguished berry flavors in a wine before. Even though I’m not a huge fan of fruit-forward, sweeter wines, I would buy this one again.

Bottle of wine with glass of wine in front

  1. Cruz Alta 2015 Malbec

This wine is smooth from the start, and easy to drink right out of the bottle. It’s not as full-bodied or “spicy” as other Malbec’s I’ve had, I would say it has a mild flavor overall. It’s a good weeknight drinking wine…nothing super special, but definitely not bad. I would get this again, but not for any special occasion. The tall, slim bottle is also really pretty!

Bottle of wine with glass of wine in front

  1. Domaine De Clairfont Rhine Red Wine 2015

This is a French table wine, and is light in flavor and color. This one also reminds me of a Pinor Noir. It has a peppery taste to it up front, and has a dry finish. I thought it was best the first night it was open.

Bottle of wine with glass of wine in front

  1. Happy Camper Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is sweet on the palate in the first sip, but has a dry finish. I would buy this one again, but would be sure to drink it the first night it was open. It got very sweet the longer it was open, and some of the flavors were masked by the wine becoming overly-sweet.

Bottle of wine next to candle

Wines I would skip (but are still worth mentioning):

1. Releaf Sweet Red Wine 2015

I know the label says “sweet red wine”, but somehow, I missed that when I bought it. Anyway, I decided to give it a try, and it is SWEET. Like, Reisling sweet. I thought I would mention it because even though sweet wines are not my preference, I still thought it had good flavor. If you enjoy sweet wines, you’ll likely appreciate what this bottle has to offer!

Bottle of wine with glass of wine in front

 

I’m no expert in judging wine (I like to think I’m an expert at drinking it, though). Making grand statements about wine can be daunting, especially when the wine-tasting culture is perceived to be so stuffy. With that in mind, I thought I would end by paraphrasing from my favorite wine documentary, Somm: Into the Bottle: “One of the most important things about wine is who opens it and their experience with it… It should create joy in your life, because your perception is what makes it special. Once you pop the cork and put the wine in that glass, only one thing matters: Is it delicious?”

If YOU like the wine, that’s all that counts!

Do you have a favorite wine for under $10? Let me know in the comments below!

Champagne & Prosecco: One of These Things is Not Like the Other

Posted on by caitlin

Bubbles in my wine must mean it’s Champagne, right?

 

Wrong!

 

I’ve often wondered what really set the sparkling wine varieties apart (in this case, Champagne and Prosecco). I decided to dig into a little research and find out for myself!

A glass of champagne and a glass of prosecco surrounded by corks.
Can you guess which is Champagne and which is Prosecco?
The first, and most obvious difference is the location that each of the varietals come from.

In short, Champagne is from France, and Prosecco is from Italy. Reims, France, which is about an hour outside of Paris, is known as the unofficial Champagne capitol of the world. Treviso, Italy, the main production site for Prosecco, is located about fifteen miles outside of Venice. Both destinations make for a perfect day trip outside of the city!

 

Another difference in the sparkling wines is the grape from which they are produced.

Champagne features Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. Prosecco features a single grape variety called Glera. The method of pressing the grapes and making the wine also differs drastically between the two sparkling wines. Champagne is produced using an extensive (and expensive) traditional method. Prosecco is produced using a much more affordable and efficient tank method.

 

NOTE: If wine production (or wine drinking) interests you, check out my post on some wine-related documentaries here!

 

If you’re anything like me, my choice in the wine aisle tends to come down to cost.

Prosecco tends to be my go-to sparkling wine since it is significantly cheaper than Champagne. You really only need to spend around $12 to get a quality Prosecco off the shelf. Champagne will typically run you at least $40 for a decent bottle. I also happen to really like the crisp, fruity taste of Prosecco as opposed to the richer taste of Champagne (which often has notes of almond, cherry, etc.). I’m no tasting expert, but that’s my personal preference.

Birds eye view of two glasses
Check out that bubbly!
There are several other sparkling wine varieties from around the world, too.

Cava, for example, reigns from Spain, and lots of other labels (particularly new world wines) simply boast “Sparkling Wine” as their name. At the end of the day, there are sparkling wine options for every taste, budget, and occasion…who says it has to be a special event to enjoy some bubbly!?

 

Are you a sparkling wine fan? Which is your favorite type or label? Let me know in the comments below!

A Sipper’s Paradise in the PNW: Bainbridge Island, Seattle

Posted on by caitlin

We decided a few months ago that September would be the perfect time for a mini-vacation to end a busy summer filled with work and Southern California heat. The chosen destination was Seattle, and we departed with high hopes of cold weather, jackets, and rain. Instead, we were welcomed to a city filled with smoke from the Washington wildfires, hot weather, and 90 percent humidity. Not fun.

Smokey skies behind the iconic Pike Place sign.
Smokey skies behind the iconic Pike Place sign.

After dealing with the heat for a day or two, we decided it was time to get on the water and beat the heat. We took the ferry to Bainbridge Island (about a 30-minute boat ride from Seattle) and spent the day wandering around the little town that looks like it is straight out of a storybook. We enjoyed checking out the little boutique shops on the main drag, and had an awesome lunch at Bruciato. And just when we thought the day couldn’t get any better, it did.

Seattle skyline
Seattle skyline from the ferry ride.

Enter: Coppertop Park.

Not the kind of park you’re thinking of. An industrial business park. And guess what industrial business parks are perfect for? Breweries.

Old truck outside of a brewery
The glorious sight we were welcomed by…a brewery! And an awesome old school truck.

A short bus ride from downtown Bainbridge lies Bainbridge Island Brewing Company.

It feels like a “locals only” place that brews and serves quality beer under its copper roof, surrounded by giant trees. It screams PNW. We found ourselves hanging at the brewery enjoying a couple of beers and relaxing for the afternoon before we decided to walk around the rest of Coppertop Park to see what else was around while we waited for our bus back to the ferry.

(Side note: what we learned is that this so-called “dial-a-ride” bus service is not nearly as reliable as they say it is. Long story short, Uber saved the day. Sort of. (Side note 2: somehow, our Uber driver got lost. Like, seriously? How does that happen. Eye rolls all around.) Take note of all this in case you ever decide to go on this excursion.)

Our walk around Coppertop led us to find a few other hidden gems that turned this locals-only brewery experience into a must-do for Bainbridge visitors who enjoy their sips.

A row of tap handles at Bainbridge Island brewing
The taps with custom stained glass signage above.
A tasting flight at Bainbridge Island brewing
Our flight…the Double IPA was the favorite.
A lineup of pints at Bainbridge Island Brewing
They happened to be doing a photoshoot the afternoon we were there, so we snapped a quick shot of their year-round beer lineup.

Right next door to the brewery lies Fletcher Bay Winery.

This family-owned winery makes small batches of wine from Washington-grown grapes. I learned while we were here that Washington state is the second largest wine-producing state in the US! Naturally, we had to give their wine a try. If you go, stick to the reds…those are the specialty. The Tempranillo was my favorite.

A glass of red wine from Fletcher Bay Winery
Enjoying a glass of wine in Fletcher Bay’s coastal-themed tasting room.

And we’re not done yet…

Across from the winery you will find Bainbridge Organic Distillers. I’m not a big fan of spirits myself, but there were plenty of people inside taking tours of the facility and enjoying tastings, too.

A lineup of bottles from Bainbridge Organic Distillers
A lineup of spirits with the distillery behind.
The tasting room at Bainbridge Organic Distillers
Yes, the guitar is for sale…not sure why.

Last, but not least:

Now, once you give each of these establishments a try, you’ll probably be pretty tired toward the end of your tasting experience. Fear not! As if this Coppertop place couldn’t get any better, it also features Storyville Coffee…a Seattle-born and family-owned coffee shop AND roaster! A perfect pick-me-up before heading back to the city.

Burlap bags of coffee beans at Storybook Coffee
Bags n bags n bags of coffee beans…the smell in this place was incredible!

All this to say: we basically found a sipper’s “Disneyland” on Bainbridge Island. And it is well worth checking out for yourself when you need a quick getaway from busy downtown Seattle.

 

Until next time, Bainbridge!

Make Spritz Your Next Summer Sip: Aperol, Campari, & Select

Posted on by caitlin

When I traveled to Italy, I couldn’t help but notice big wine glasses filled with a bright orange cocktail nearly everywhere I went. My mouth watered as I saw people enjoying those refreshing, chilled glasses on a hot September day. Naturally, I had to try one for myself.

Caitlin at a cafe in Rome with an aperol spritz
Enjoying an Aperol Spritz at a sidewalk cafe in Rome.
I soon learned that the concoction was referred to as an Aperol Spritz.

Since that time, Aperol Spritz has seemingly become more common in the US, but what many don’t know is that there are a few varieties of Spritz native to Italy. Aperol is by far the most common, and, in my opinion, the easiest to drink no matter the time of day. It is cold, refreshing, bubbly, and slightly sweet, which makes it perfect for a hot afternoon. It is sometimes served with fresh fruit, too.

Sliced oranges on a cutting board
Citrus for the Spritz.
Two glasses with orange aperol spritz inside
Aperol Spritz on a hot afternoon.
Cute dog sniffing the aperol spritz
Oakley was curious about the Spritz.
Campari Spritz is the more mature sibling of the Aperol Spritz.

You may recognize Campari from some of your favorite cocktails such as the Negroni or Americano. Campari Spritz takes on a beautiful ruby red color. While it shares some of the same ingredients as Aperol Spritz, it sets itself apart with an almost-spicy essence, which is more savory in flavor, rather than sweet. You’ll see a Campari Spritz served with green olives, similar to a martini.

Red campari spritz inside glasses
Ruby red Campari Spritz cocktails.
The lesser known of the Spritz varieties is the Spritz Select, which can only be found in Venice, Italy.

Apertivo Select, the liqueur used to make Spritz Select, was first produced on the Venetian island of Murano in 1920. To this day, it is very difficult to source outside of Venice (trust me, I tried!). When I first tried Spritz Select in Venice, it was described to me as a perfect balance between Aperol Spritz and Campari Spritz. I couldn’t agree more. It takes on the sweetness of the Aperol, but is balanced by the unique, herby flavor of the Campari. Add some bubbly Prosecco to your Apertivo Select and you have my favorite Italian cocktail.

A spritz on the table with a candle and bowl of olives
Enjoying a Campari Spritz while snacking on olives.

If you want to make some Spritz for yourself, check out my recipes below!

 

Aperol Spritz

1 part Aperol

1 part Prosecco

1 splash of sparkling water

Serve over ice with sliced citrus fruit. Ideally, enjoy outdoors.

 

Campari Spritz

1 part Campari

2 parts Prosecco

1 part white wine (I used Pinot Grigio)

1 splash of sparkling water

Serve over ice with green olives. Again, enjoy outdoors on a warm day!

 

P.S. If you’re wondering why Prosecco is the bubbly of choice for these recipes, and how it differs from its sparkling wine counterparts, check out my post about it here!

Goldendoodle
Oakley wanted in on the Spritz operation…he has good taste!

Have you tried these or other Spritz recipes? Let me know your thoughts!

Netflix and Chill…Your Wine! 5 Wine Documentaries to Watch

Posted on by caitlin

I love wine. And I love documentaries. So, any day I can watch documentaries about wine on Netflix is a good day in my book.

Logo reading "netflix and chill your wine"

 

I recently decided to check out Netflix, and compile a list of my favorite wine-related documentaries. Each film captures a different aspect of the wine industry, from tasting “notes” to exploring some of the most exclusive wine in the world. Without further ado, here are my five-favorite wine-related documentaries!

 

  1. A Year in Champagne (2014)

If you like your wine bubbly, you’ll definitely appreciate what this documentary has to offer. Filmmakers take you through the Champagne region of France, and clue you in to the growing, harvesting, and production of champagne. A Year in Champagne displays the dedication and precision that the French have toward the craft of winemaking, and tells the story of these rituals through the lens of French history, too. Fair warning: watching the winemakers pop the bottles will make you want a glass of bubbly for yourself!

 

  1. Decanted (2016)

Hop back over to North America as Decanted producers take you to another exclusive wine region, Napa Valley. This documentary sets itself apart by introducing you to families who have invested their lives in the Napa Valley soil. You can even follow one family’s story as they venture into opening a Napa winery of their own. The viewer learns that the process is not for the faint of heart, but the payoff of growing vines on such valuable land can be huge. If the business of wine is something you’re interested in, this documentary is for you.

 

  1. Somm (2012)

This Netflix production features four sommeliers as they prepare for and complete the prestigious Master Sommelier exam. With the Master Sommelier exam having one of the lowest pass rates of any examination in the world, you can almost feel the pressure that these candidates are under as their story is told on screen. Learning about this challenging feat will give you an entirely new appreciation for the wine list at your favorite restaurant. Practice examining flavor profiles and tasting techniques with a glass of wine in hand as you watch the pros master the task in Somm.

 

  1. Somm: Into the Bottle (2015)

When the whole “sommelier” thing begins to sound too intimidating, put on Somm: Into the Bottle for a refreshing, more relatable look at wine. You’ll recognize some of the same characters from Somm, but this time around they are focusing on the wine experience from the average person’s point of view. This documentary will teach you about everything from production and marketing to blending and consumption. Personally, I think this production is even better than the original Somm!

 

  1. Sour Grapes (2016)

Easily the most captivating documentary of the bunch, Sour Grapes depicts the wine industry through an entirely different lens. You may be surprised to learn about the art of “wine-fraud” in this film, a niche of the industry that few ever see. The plot thickens as the producers help you uncover a mystery, exposing the deception, lies, and skill that kept many of the world’s leading wine enthusiasts in the dark as they were tricked before their eyes. Pour yourself a glass of your favorite wine and watch this mystery unfold for yourself!

 

I recommend making this list your next binge-watch on Netflix, and sipping some of your favorite wine along the way!

Seen any of these documentaries yourself? Let me know what you thought in the comments below!

Hi, I’m Caitlin. The Voice Behind Sips N Tips!

Posted on by caitlin

As a kid, my TV-of-choice was Food Network. Sounds silly, but it’s true. “Iron Chef” was my “Friday night pizza” pick (more on that later), and I could have watched “Unwrapped” (anyone else remember this show?!) all weekend if my mom let me. Spoiler alert: cooking shows are still my favorite past-time.

Caitlin sitting with a cup of coffee in Rome, the photo that has become the profile of Sips N Tips
Enjoying an Italian cappuccino in Rome…just one of many sips I’ve enjoyed during my travels!

As I got older, I realized that my interest in food also extended into the beer and wine world (and other spirits, for that matter). Reading the labels on craft beer bottles and getting lost in the wine aisle at the grocery store became my favorite part of the errand. I found myself taking my amateur education in cooking and combining it with my love of beer and wine to create new recipes and pairings for my family and friends. They seem to like it, so I must be doing something right.

To add fuel to the fire, I’ve been hit by the “wanderlust” bug, and if I’m not actually traveling or exploring new territory, I can guarantee you I’m planning my next trip. I have a fascination with culture, and I find that food and drink tend to be the most honest forms of storytelling wherever you go. Sure, you can learn about history in a museum. But what about learning about history through some Bangers & Mash and a 6.5-degrees Celsius Guinness? (More on that later.) Understanding how particular ingredients are sourced, traded, and utilized in your food and drink can shed light on everything from intercultural relations to socioeconomic factors if you pay close enough attention.

Each bite and sip I take during my travels is added to my personal “registry” of flavors and cultural history, and influence my approach to cooking and drinking at home.

Sips N Tips was born with these passions in mind. I want to influence others to get out and explore by seeking out the best of food and drink, and share my own observations of the food, beer, wine, and travel world through the tips I provide. Not only will I tell you about the best wines to buy under $10, I’ll also show you where you can have a pint of German lager at the top of the Alps in Bavaria overlooking mountain ranges in four countries. Yes, this is a real thing and yes, I’ve done it.

Subscribe to Sips N Tips to get these tips, and many more, for yourself. You won’t be disappointed!