Dependable and widely available French wines, under $25?

Good F_____ wines tend to higher prices than that, so it's a tough job. Your best bet is probably to check with wine magazines on a regular basis.

I realized I said some 5ths, then didn't list any. Lynch Moussas and Cantemerle are 2 5th that are usually under $25, and usually dependable.

I mentioned 2002 Lagrange as a 3rd that was under $25, sometimes Ch. d'Issan or La Lagune are also under $25. But not in hyped vintages.

"DaleW" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@p15g2000hsd.googlegroups.com:

La Tour Carnet is another 5th growth that could be below 25 euros (it is 18 euros in Spain).

Santiago

Jim,

Take your thoughts, above, to a good wine shop, that handles both US/domestic and FR wines. Talk to them about what they have in stock. Not knowing where you are located (and, even then, we might not have a clue, as to what is available in, say Pierre, SD), we could list dozens of good Bdx. near your price-point, but then you would likely be faced with the same problem - availability.

Take some of the suggestions with you, and see if the retailer has any, or has some that he/she feels are similar.

In Phoenix, AZ, USA, I might well not be able to find some of the suggested wines, and this is a town of 4M people! I'd call up K&L (Redwood City, CA, store) and ask Ralph Sands for HIS suggestions, but that might not be an option for you.

The use of a good wine shop cannot be measured by a few $ markup over a supermarket. Go with the expertise and be willing to pay a bit for it.

Hunt

Would that I could find a good wine shop with a knowledgeable expert. I would pay a few $ markup, but not a lot.

Any 'good' wine shops I have been, the salespersons seem pretty intimidating to me once they find I know nothing. I find usually what I like by buying blindly. It's been a road well-traveled though.

I live in the area of Fairfax, VA -- don't go as far as D.C. -- got the name of a wine store for me/us? Thanks, so much. Dee Dee

Dee Dee,

I do not, but several of the subscribers here are from the Mid-Atlantic area, and I'll bet that they do.

Also, do not be intimidated by the staff. They all once knew nothing about wine, as well. A good salesperson will remember that point in their lives, and help you along the journey. (As an aside: I find that many salespeople STILL know nothing about wine, but try to cover that up. Leave those people behind!)

Hunt

If you are intimidated you are in the wrong shop. There are several excellent stores in Georgetown and Arlington where there are knowledgeable and helpful staff. In fact, there are too many to list. Northern Virginia/DC area is a great place to buy wine.

The "good" wine stores in VA, DC, and MD tend to be less expensive than supermarkets and chains(total beverage). balducci's has a great selection of high end, but............

the easiest dc store to reach is probably addi bassens macarthur liquors. they are very knowledgeable and have a fabulous selection,, but are very busy. last time there, they were too busy to wait on me as I was only purchasing 8 cases of better German Riesling.

in VA, there is unwined in shirlington, arrow wine 4508 lee highway, cecile on chain bridge rd.

I am not familiar with the stores in far no VA.

the best place that I know of in the area to get excellent personal attention is Silesia Liquors in Ft. Washington MD. it's worth the drive to get the personal attention and the wealth of knowledge available there.

Thanks. I should have explained that although I'm not an expert and am still in the learning stage, I'm not exactly a novice, since I've been a wine enthusuast for some 30 years. Over the years, I've tasted all the Bordeaux First Growths, although I can't often afford them at their current prices. I appreciate the answers to my two posts, and I'll try to locate some of the recommended wines.

Thanks for your suggestions regarding getting to know a local wine merchant. I'm in the Houston area (which, of course, is almost at the outer fringes of civilization). We have four or five million people down here, and there are some good wine selections at a number of dealers. I'm fairly conversant with several of the wine specialists at our local Specs dealership, and I've had a number of discussions with them. They are always friendly and helpful, though perhaps not true wine experts. Our local Specs is in a former Krogers grocery store, which gives you some idea of its size, and there is a much larger "warehouse" dealer downtown.

Jim

Noted & Saved - I can probably get to these in a couple of trips I HAVE to make to DC this Spring.

I am surprised to hear you say that total beverage is a little more expensive -- I would not have known that. Generally I just look-see- buy in a certain price range -- mostly Italian wines - DH will buy a French or two, usually at Trader Joe's always on the cheap side, and tastes that way to me, too.

Looking forward to a trip to a new wine store. Thanks again. Dee Dee

Hi Dee Dee, where in Fairfax VA? I lived for most of my life in McLean, before moving to Florida. I went to George Mason University in Fairfax.

Gary, I shop in Fairfax, which is about 60-70 miles from where I live. I'm a country gal. I've traveled the world, but never been to Florida, with exception of the Miami airport. Yep, no Disneyland! Though, most Virginians can't wait to move to Florida. I moved away from the area when I became an adult to the west coast, but late in life "came home again" to Virginia.

Frankly, I don't know what I'm doing here when the snow flies. But, Virginia works for me. All that Florida good weather is sort of frightening. :-)))

Some top stores, Maryland, DC: State Line Wells Calvert Pinehurst Eddies Old Vines Wine Merchant Jasons Rips Silesia

DC Calvert Woodley Macarthur's Rodman's Chevy Chase Mcgruders

Va: Arrowine

I'm sure I missed quite a few---all these have knowledgeable c>