The second bottle we tested was Tres Picos, this stuff is great. A very fruit forward wine with juicy raspberry, sweet spices and 14.5% alcohol for $11.99. Made out of 100% Garnacha (known as Grenache in France) and from the Borsao region of Spain, the balance of fruit and alcohol, with a soft texture makes this the perfect drinkers red.
Made entirely of the aromatic Albarinho grape, the Donna Rosa from Rias Baixas weighs in at 13% alc, will set you back only $16 and was the most enjoyable buzz of the evening. Its intense floral aromas and soft texture make for it ideal quick quaffing or satisfying savoring.
In America we like things turbo-charged, super-sized and extra-large, perfect for getting the most alcohol out of one bottle. The only problem; many of these jet-fuel strength wines tire the palate quickly. How many glasses of that 15% alcohol chardonnay that tastes like eating a new piece of oak furniture can you actually handle? Luckily, we thrifty Americans solved our own problem.
The Zinfandel grape, is not indigenous to California but has been grown there long enough and makes high enough quality wines (many at alcohol levels that you’ve never seen on anything less than an Oloroso Sherry) that we can call it our own. With a modest (for California Zin) 14.4%, a price of $14.99 and soft, supple tannins, the Ridge “The Valleys” Sonoma Zinfandel 2005 had us singing Justin Timberlake’s “D*ck in a box” song from SNL and doing bad Borat impressions. Niiice!
Nothing says get me drunk quick and have a good time with it like a sparkling wine. Science says those tiny bubbles deliver alcohol the bloodstream quicker than Brittany Spears can check out of rehab. And what’s more fun than nailing your unsuspecting friends with carbon dioxide propelled corks? (For proper technique visit The Second Glass. Go grab your favorite inexpensive Prosecco, Cava, Deutscher Sekt, Cremant D’Alsace or Cali sparkler and stumble through all the reasons we love wine.
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