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Consumer Reports Tests Wines Again

The Dec. 2006 issue of Consumer Reports give results for their latest wine tests. Wines considered were in the under US $30 range. Wines had to have good national distribution to be considered. Multipile bottles of each wine were bought at different locations around the country. Also 2 professional tasters were used in addition to the CR staff. Tasting was strictly blind. They grouped ratings as excellent, very good, and good. The top and best buy for Cabernet Sauvignon was a 2002 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Columbia Valley 2002 at $11 and rated very good. However several other wines had nearly the same rating but were considerably more expensive - up to $28. The top rated Chardonnay was Edna Valley Paragon San Luis Obispo County 2004 at $14 and rated excellent. There were other Chardonnays rated nearly as well.

They also tested 4 preservation devices ranging from $10 to $100, and ran several test by storing the treated wines and wines just recorked in the refrigerator. They found the recorked did just as well for a week or so as the treated wines. One should keep in mind that they were testing quite young wines. The story might have been quite different if they had tested a very old and delicate wine.

Reply to
cwdjrxyz
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Thanks for report. I've generally found the Columbia Crest GE wines to be very well-made, if not always exciting. Don't think I've had the Edna chard, though it was recommended here(Midlife,Hunt, Dana? someone west of me).

Did the methods of preservation include smaller bottles?

cwdjrxyz wrote:

Reply to
DaleW

I don't think I reported on Edna Valley Paragon, but I have picked it up from Costco ($10ish) and liked it, though I have to say the Chateau St. Michelle Indian Wells Chard that I often find at my local Costco is better for just a few dollars more ($13ish).

Dana

Reply to
Dana H. Myers

I did not notice mention of decanting into smaller bottles for storage. They did mention the trend toward 1/4 size 187 ml bottles for those who just want a bit of wine. They mentioned that the Stone Cellars Chardonnay by Beringer they tested and rated very good was also available in 187 ml bottles. And they mentioned that more better wines are now offered in boxes.

The 4 preservation gadgets tested were the Wine Enthusiast Private Preserve(nitrogen can), Vacu-Vin Vacuum Wine Saver, WineKeeper(nitrogen), and Pek Wine Steward(argon). The first 2 gadgets cost about US $10, and the last two cost about $100 each. I would like to see this test repeated with a 1953 Ch. Margaux, a 1945 CH Latour or Mouton-Rothschild, a 1959 Yquem etc. They likely would have to used an armed security guard to keep someone from drinking these before they have a chance for a week of storage :-) .

Reply to
cwdjrxyz

Would you really want to see these wines left open for a week for this or any other purpose?

... :-)

Andy

Reply to
AyTee

Reply to
DaleW

[SNIP]

I liked the Edna Valley Paragon Chard. It was US$9.95/btl. and available at World Market. It was our "house Chard" for several years, and was recently (3 years ago) replaced by the Conundrum. I still see the Edna Valley, but less often, hence I'd have to buy several cases, when available, to be the house wine.

As an aside, Plantation Gardens Restaurant, Kauai, Hawaii, had the Edna Valley Chard, b-t-g for US$24. I do not mind paying a premium for restaurant wine, and then a bit more for a b-t-g offering, but this was FAR too much. We had a bit of a laugh on this one. Chef Mavro's, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, had a nice b-t-g selection and even the "sommelier's 'rare' Chard," b-t-g, and a lovely

1er Cru Chassagne-Montrachet was only US$20!!!!!

Hunt

Reply to
Hunt
[SNIP]

I'm with you on this one. If they will supply those wines, I'll volunteer. However, I usually open similar (not had any of those mentioned, but would love to come to your house for dinner... ) for dinners, but alas, there is NEVER any to try my Vac-u-vin out on, glutton that I am .

Hunt

Reply to
Hunt

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