I am a wine enthusiast who believes that wine can be enjoyed at any budget.   Every year, Wine Spectator publishes a list of their 500 top wines under $20.   As much as I would love to try all 500, there are a few reasons I have decided not to… my wallet, waistline and liver will thank me later!

Here are my guidelines:

1.   Wines will be between $10-15.

2.  I will only be trying red wines for now, and may start to mix in white wine closer to the summer.

3.  I will not taste wines from the most well known producers.   The reason being that I likely tried them already.

4.  I will not taste the wines with food.   If I am curious about how a wine would pair with an aged Vermont cheddar, I may take out some cheese and try the combination but will also be sure to include notes for the wine by itself.

5.  I trust my friends’ opinions.  If you have a favorite value wine, or if there is a wine you would like for me to try, email me and I’d be happy to add it to my list!

An important note:  Everyone’s palate is different!   Some people love oak, some hate it.   Some people love a big Cabernet, and others enjoy a light Pinot Noir.   Or if you’re like me, you love them all!    A wine that stands out to me is a wine that is unique, has flavors that stand out and is delicious on its own.

Stay tuned, and thanks for reading!