Wine Review: Don’t break the bank, just drink wine

How much are you paying for your wine? Do you believe you are getting a good buy for your buck?

Those questions are a lot more viable than one might think. For some reason, consumers often believe the more expensive a wine is, the better it is.

I have a focus group that keeps me straight as far as my opinion of various wines is concerned. Together, we have sampled some $5 beauties and on one occasion a $150 stinker; ergo, price means very little when it comes to the quality of the wine you buy.

Why this long-winded dissertation on price? I want to inform my readers that one of the best buys in the wine world far exceeds its very affordable price tag: Barefoot Cellars, which produces a large selection of wines. As the warm weather approaches, Barefoot is presenting what they consider to be the wines of summer. And I just had an opportunity to sample them. As a side note, the prices indicated are the manufacturer's suggested retail price, but the wines often can be found at lower prices on dealers’ shelves.

Barefoot Cellars Pinot Grigio ($7)
For dry wine fans, this one should delight you. It is alive with the aromas of pear, melon, flowers, cinnamon and nutmeg that carry over to the flavor and linger in the mouth long after the wine has been finished. The Barefoot Cellars Pinot Grigio is an excellent wine that can accompany a wide variety of foods, and is perfect for those hot summer outings.

Barefoot Cellars Sauvignon Blanc ($7)
This wine displays the traditional flavors and aromas of citrus and grass with a hint of ripe melon, nectarine and peach in the background. While sauvignon blanc wines are usually recommended as an accompaniment to shellfish as the abundance of fruit and flavor allow it to go along with salads, mild cheese dishes and modestly seasoned chicken dishes. It’s also good as a standalone aperitif.

Barefoot Vineyards Sangria ($6)
This wine presents an ever-changing kaleidoscope of flavors and aromas. The berry/cherry flavor of the grape is the first encountered and slowly gives way to the citrus that continues on to an enjoyable finish. Unlike many of the other wines that pass themselves off as sangria, there are no off or unpleasant flavors or aromas in this beverage. Barefoot uses only natural fruit flavors, so there is nothing to tarnish the true flavors in the wine or the finish.

Barefoot Refresh Spritzers ($2.49 per 8.4-ounce can)
For the sweet, slightly sparkling, fruit-flavored wine aficionados, this series of wines will be nirvana. The term spritzer is German for spray and refers to the release of carbonated gas and liquid mist when the can is opened. These series of wines come in small, easy-to-chill, easy-to-handle, easy-to-transport cans that are perfect for any outdoor trip or event. Barefoot Refresh wines have a slightly lower alcohol level than bottled wine, at 6.8 percent, making them less likely to be abused or overdone during the fun of an outdoor activity.

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