$10 Hall of Fame preview
by Wine Curmudgeon Posted On
The Wine Curmudgeon is checking notes, re-tasting wine, and getting ready for the appearance of the eighth annual $10 Wine Hall of Fame. I'll post it on Jan. 4.
But there is already one piece of sad news. Osborne Solaz, the Spanish red blend that has been a mainstay of the Hall since its inception, is being phased out. The corporate term is ?selectively distributed in stores throughout the U.S., ? but the reality is that the wine won't be for sale in the retailers where you used to buy it. (Osborne is replacing the Solaz with a brand called TempraTantrum; hopefully, it tastes better than the name.)
And since it won't be readily available, Solaz is dropping out of the Hall; being readily available is one of the requirements for membership.
Otherwise, despite the weak dollar, 2009 looks like it was a banner year for cheap wine. The only other bottles to drop out did so because the weak dollar pushed their price above $10 ? the Falesco Vitiano wines: A solid rose, an even more solid white blend, and a stunning red blend made of sangiovese, cabernet and merlot. The wine is still as good as ever. It just costs $12.
still under $10 @ Jimmy’s, amico.
Sadly, Jimmy’s is the exception and not the rule. I received several emails after this posted from people around the country who said they couldn’t find the Falesco for $10 any more, either.