Wine Review: As tariffs threaten price hikes, some affordable options beckon

Just in case you haven't noticed, spring has finally arrived. The flowers are blooming, the grass is growing, the birds have returned and from the condition of my automobile, their aim has significantly improved over the winter. I hope that the reader experienced few if any difficulties during the other gift of spring, the occasional bad weather.

Currently, there is a sword of Damocles hanging over our heads: the impending tariff question, which will dramatically affect the price of wines, as wine is one of the products specifically singled out in the list of changes to be made.

The excellent and very affordable wines from Spain, Chile and Argentina have for years acted as a throttle in the marketplace by keeping their price of wine in the affordable range. I will do my part to aid the reader by finding well-made wines that may still have a respectable price tag.

Domaine St Laurent 2023 Pinot Noir ($18)
Do not let the low price of this pinot noir scare you off as this wine's quality far exceeds its very affordable selling price. The wine comes from the Rogue Valley in the State of Oregon, an area that is becoming famous for its wines. This 100% pinot noir wine was made from several different versions of the pinot noir grape to produce a wine that can only be described as soft and silky. This wine presents a big, full-fruit aroma stressing black cherries, blackberries and blueberries intermingled with an earthy element. This wine proves that price never determines quality, and quality is in the palate of the drinker.

Attems 2023 Sauvignon Venezia Giulia ($24)
There can be no question that a sauvignon blanc wine is poultry’s and seafood’s best friend as well as a fine choice as a sipping wine. It is also a variety that can well accompany the vegan or vegetarian diet style. This wine presents the pronounced aromas of green olives and lemon, along with notes of pepper and nectarine. The flavor displays notes of gooseberry, pepper and melon. The fruit flavors are fully identifiable and remain with the wine to the finish.

Pasqua’s Passione 2023 Sentimento Romeo & Juliet Bianco ($18)
The name of this white wine translates as “the passion and sentiment of Romeo and Juliet,” the ageless love story that has made the city of Verona, Italy, a worldwide symbol of love. Passione Sentimento Bianco is more than just a white wine; it's an expression of eternal love and commitment. Crafted exclusively from 100% Garganega grapes, this elegant wine has a perfect balance, refreshing yet powerful, with a buttery texture that ends in a long and lingering finish. Try it with grilled pork chops or chicken off the barbeque or as a sipping wine with the one you love.

Tenuta Luce Lucente 2022 Toscana ($37)
This red wine is a blend of Merlot and Sangiovese that has been made with grapes that were grown in the Italian wine center of northwestern Italy, the province of Tuscany. The wines made from Tuscan grapes possess a depth and complexity that is achieved by very few wines. This deeply colored, almost black wine offers the aroma opens with a suggestion of blackberry, plum, currant and vanilla, ending in a very long, dark fruit-filled finish. This is a wine that is perfect to accompany any of the heavier meat dishes or meats that come off of a grill.

Wine columnist Bennet Bodenstein can be reached at frojhe1@att.net.