Cheap Wines To Buy Now

As wine stores prepare to load up on their crop of 2008 wines, we thought we’d take a look back at a few of the best buys from 2006 and 2007.

Our first inclination was to list a few of the very best you could find on the shelves, but then the bottom fell out of the economy, so we considered a few of the best-value buys from the last two years instead. These are a handful of cheap wines to buy now -- whites and reds that are just popping off the shelf -- and your guests will have a hard time telling the difference between these great cheap wines to buy now and the ones that cost more than a tenner.

Recession-proof your wine collection today with these cheap wines to buy now.

Pascual Toso 2006 Malbec (£6.60)

As a nation, the Argentines are familiar with economic strife. Maybe that’s why they produce some of the best cheap wines to buy now we’ve found on the shelves. Regardless, Argentinean Malbecs are growing in acclaim and this best buy does the varietal proud.

We fell in love with the 2006 Pascual Toso Malbec because it’s a great everyday wine for a wicked price: think medium-bodied with a deep-purple colour. On the nose, you’ll get loads of great dark fruits and smoke. And these sensations only set you up for the taste, which is beautifully balanced and smooth, with light tannins, loads of a fruit, and a nice round finish.

Marquis Phillips 2006 Roogle Red (£6.60)

Any time you can find a smooth Australian red for a great price, it’s worth picking up. However, when that bottle happens to have received a 90 rating from tasting expert Robert Parker, you buy the bottle -- and two or three more -- without hesitation.

The 2006 Marquis Phillips Roogle Red is made by celebrated Aussie wine producer Chris Ringland and it’s a steal of a deal. A blend of Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the Marquis Phillips Roogle Red is aged for 12 months in seasoned French and American oak. The result is a well-balanced, nicely aged wine, medium- to full-bodied with nice dark fruits, good tannins and a bit of acid.

Fuzion Shiraz Malbec 2007 (£4.07)

Another top deal on an Argentinean Malbec? Why not? These guys sure seem to know something about making good, cheap wines to buy now. For anyone drinking on a budget, the 2007 Fuzion Shiraz Malbec is a bottle that will leave your friends thinking you spent a fortune. Look for notes of licorice and fruits such as raspberries, red cherries and blackberries. This medium-bodied bottle is loaded with texture and complexity thanks to the spicy Shiraz added to the blend, and it pairs well with richly spiced meats like Italian sausage.
We’re unveiling more cheap wines to buy now…

Stephen Vincent 2006 Crimson (£7.90)

We love this bottle because it’s an example of how great a wine can be when different grapes and techniques collide. For example, this one is a blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the Sonoma and Central Coast and is crafted in the Rhone style. That’s a whole lot of contrasting elements.

Technical details aside, the 2006 Stephen Vincent Crimson has an aroma that is fairly bursting with vanilla, oak and dark fruits such as cherries. On the tongue, the dark fruits shine through again, but with smooth tannins and a bit of acid. It’s a good wine to sip on its own, but it really shines through when it’s paired with fatty meats like duck or lamb.

R Winery 2005 Pure Evil Chardonnay (£6.60)

It’s a rare occasion indeed that you find a good Chardonnay for not too much money, but our friend Chris Ringland has once again filled an under-served market niche. Anyone who’s not fond of a Chardonnay with loads of oak needs to try this bottle. On the nose, it starts with apple, pear and butterscotch; in the glass, it’s loaded with nice, crisp green apple and plenty of acid. It’s a nice complement to fatty fish and light cheeses, and a good wine for sipping on its own.

Macon-Lugny 2006 Les Charmes Chardonnay (£6.60)

It might surprise you to see an excellent white Burgundy on this list (and one for not too many pounds, to boot), but this famous French wine-making region is a specialist in all products grape. Les Charmes is now the best-selling white Burgundy over in the U.S. It’s richer in the mouth than most whites of its kind, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the notes of apple, mineral and even Parmesan cheese. It’s a winner on its own or with a simple meal.

Budget wine

The time to buy these outstanding (and cheap) bottles of wine is now. If you can find these gems, get them while you can and thank us later.