Consumer Reports: Affordable white wines
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Whether you're choosing a wine at a restaurant or at home, you want to be sure you'll enjoy it.
Consumer Reports just tested dozens of white wines -- 22 Pinot Grigios and 16 Rieslings. Wine experts look for a wine's distinct qualities when tasting.
"Pinot Grigio is a fairly simple varietal. It's generally dry, and it's generally leaner and lighter than many other white wines," said Paul Reynolds.
Pinot Grigio is good with light pasta dishes or grilled fish. Rieslings can vary a lot.
"Drier Rieslings are quite versatile and go well with everything from pork, veal, and scallops to milder cheeses," Reynolds said.
And a sweeter Riesling can be a good dessert wine.
When Consumer Reports' tests were done, there were plenty of very good, inexpensive wines to choose from.
For Riesling, the 2010 Hogue Late Harvest topped the ratings. It costs $10 a bottle.
For a Pinot Grigio, try the 2010 Black Swan Vineyards. It rated very good, and it costs $8 a bottle.
Another Pinot Grigio Consumer Reports rated very good is even less expensive. It's the Pinot Grigio wine cube
2010 from Target. yep, it comes in a box. The cost is $18 for the equivalent of four regular bottles.
But you should know it's not available at every Target, so check before you go.
Consumer Reports just tested dozens of white wines -- 22 Pinot Grigios and 16 Rieslings. Wine experts look for a wine's distinct qualities when tasting.
"Pinot Grigio is a fairly simple varietal. It's generally dry, and it's generally leaner and lighter than many other white wines," said Paul Reynolds.
Pinot Grigio is good with light pasta dishes or grilled fish. Rieslings can vary a lot.
"Drier Rieslings are quite versatile and go well with everything from pork, veal, and scallops to milder cheeses," Reynolds said.
And a sweeter Riesling can be a good dessert wine.
When Consumer Reports' tests were done, there were plenty of very good, inexpensive wines to choose from.
For Riesling, the 2010 Hogue Late Harvest topped the ratings. It costs $10 a bottle.
For a Pinot Grigio, try the 2010 Black Swan Vineyards. It rated very good, and it costs $8 a bottle.
Another Pinot Grigio Consumer Reports rated very good is even less expensive. It's the Pinot Grigio wine cube
2010 from Target. yep, it comes in a box. The cost is $18 for the equivalent of four regular bottles.
But you should know it's not available at every Target, so check before you go.
