Current Inventory

While I haven’t purchased, or even tried, many wines that retail for over $30, I have managed to acquire a relatively varied and inexpensive wine collection. At first, I primarily bought California wines, with an occasional South American or Spanish thrown in for good measure. I generally avoided the French and Italian sections of wine shops because the truth is that I had no idea what I was “supposed” to know. However, now that I’ve picked up a fair amount of basic knowledge regarding the regions and classifications for both of those countries, I have started to expand and diversify my collection ever further.

Italy:
2001 Dievole Novecento Riserva – Chianti Classico DOCG
2005 Caposaldo – Chianti DOCG
2005 La Carraia – Sangiovese (Umbria)
2004 Tenuta Sant’Antonio – “Torre Mellotti” Cabernet Sauvignon (Veneto)
2003 Genofranco – Merlot (Sicilia)
2003 Genofranco – Chardonnay (Sicilia)

France:
2003 Chateau d’Arcins - Haut-Medoc Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois
Moet & Chandon Champagne

Germany:
2004 Johan Klauss – Piesporter Michelsberg (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer)

Argentina:
2004 Trapiche – Malbec (Mendoza)
2005 Trapiche – Malbec (Mendoza)
2003 Funky Llama – Shiraz (Mendoza)

Spain:
2003 Penascal – Tempranillo (Castilla y León)
2003 Penascal – Sauvignon Blanc (Castilla y León)

United States:
2002 Napa Ridge – Pinot Noir (Central Coast)
2002 Vendange – Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
2003 Red Truck - California Red Wine
2001 Stonestreet – Chardonnay (Sonoma)
2004 Delicato – Pinot Grigio (California)
2005 Chateau de Leelanau – Pinot Gris (Leelanau Peninsula, MI)

Port:
1982 Porto Barros – Colheita
St Julian’s “Catherman’s Port” (Michigan)

So, you can see that I have selections from a number of different regions and varietals. As of late, I’ve been on a bit of an Italian wine fix. I’ve tried a several different Italian wines when going out to eat and most of my recent purchases have been Italian. I really enjoy the Nebbiolo, Barbera and Sangiovese varietals and I have had good luck with them recently. I also find Malbecs to be very interesting wines. I would like to try more French wines, so I will likely buy a couple of bottles in the near future.

Additionally, I definitely prefer red wines over white. Other than a recent trip to a Chateau de Leelanau tasting room, I can’t recall the last white wine I bought. Most of the American wines I have are of the “bargain bin” variety (and have been sitting in my wine cabinet for quite some time) so I am not expecting much out of them, except perhaps for the Stonestreet Chardonnay. However, I am kind of looking forward to trying the Red Truck, even if it is only labeled as “Red Wine”.

As always, suggestions and recommendations are welcomed. Of course, I’m limited by what I can find at the local wine shops, since Michigan has a law prohibiting the shipping of alcohol, which effectively eliminates internet sales, but it is always good to have a few new ideas in the back of my mind.