Wine Review: Inflation impacting wine market, but bargains are bright spot

In spite of what the media may be saying, wine sales are not going down. They are suffering from what is plaguing everything else these days: inflation.

The proof is to take a look at the stores that are currently selling wine – not the liquor stores but marketplaces and, believe it or not, drugstores. To put it in perspective, all shelves in a store must produce a profit or they will not be there for very long. What is taking a hit in the wine industry are wines that are currently selling at considerably higher prices than they formerly did. I do not know of many families who can put a $25-plus bottle on their dinner table every night.

Being a person who has been accused of squeezing a dollar bill so hard that I broke George Washington’s nose, I am constantly scouring the wine industry for affordable wines that are, at the least, the equal of their higher-priced competitors. I believe that I have found wines that not only fit my requirements but do so for all wine drinkers, the Antigal Uno line of Argentinian wines. Not only are they well-made and affordable, but they are also vegan friendly.

Antigal Uno 2021 Malbec ($16)
It would be almost sacrilege to start a column on an Argentinian wine producer without beginning with the malbec, the wine that is the pride of Argentina. The first thing that is noticed when this malbec is poured is its intense violet color and the aromas of cassis, vanilla, coffee, plum and coconut in the background. These aromas remain alive in the glass and on the palate for an exceptionally long time. Here is a red wine that can accompany all the red meat dishes that come off the grill, as well as many of Italian or Spanish dishes, vegan or not.

Antigal Uno 2023 Sauvignon Blanc ($13)
Antigal Uno 2023 Sauvignon Blanc adds new interest to a variety that has become humdrum in recent years. The wine does have the variety’s signature aroma, which offers a slightly smoky fragrance combined with pineapple, citrus and a suggestion of fresh cut grass. In the flavor department, melon, pear and fig are present. What makes this wine a standout is the creaminess and richness that it displays, as well as an underlying mineral flavor. If you have lost interest in sauvignon blanc wines in recent years, try the Antigal Uno 2023 Sauvignon Blanc. I believe that you will be pleasantly surprised. This wine, like all other Uno products, can be easily spotted on dealers’ shelves or an internet lineup by the 3-inch No. 1 that appears like it has been riveted onto the bottle.

Antigal Aduentus 2019 Cabernet Franc ($30)
Cabernet franc is a red wine variety that is not often presented by itself but is used to soften cabernet sauvignon wines. This cabernet franc proves that it too can be a red wine winner on its own. A deep garnet color introduces a wine of amazing depth, flavor, warmth and finesse. The wine opens with a pronounced pomegranate and licorice aroma, which is followed by the aromas of cherries and summer red berries close behind. The flavor is warm, presenting a pleasant earthy mineral component, a background of hickory and an under-flavor of nutmeg. It is a wine that is ready to drink now or can even be cellared for further aging.

Antigal Uno 2023 Rose ($13)
This wine brings to mind the name of an old-time radio program called “I Love a Mystery,” as the grapes that were used to make this wine are just that, a mystery. The winemakers have kept the names of the grapes used to make this wine a secret to prevent other winemakers from duplicating this beverage. The aroma of this wine covers an entire spectrum of summer fruits such as cherries, strawberries and cooking spices, which mingle with the unmistakable scent of roses and whose flavor remains on the palate for a long time.

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