???In today's economy, it's hard to afford more than the essentials on a student's budget. ???Drinking wine may seem like a luxury, but with a little research, students can skip frothy beverages and spice things up with amazing wine that won't break the bank.
???Bill Logue, a wine consultant with a local wine importer and distributor called Lauber Imports, has some great suggestions on how to find fantastic wines at bargain prices.
???"We as consumers have to become smarter shoppers," Logue said. "As with any trend, you just have to stay one step ahead, and that entails research."
???With exams and papers piling up, any student would be hard pressed to find time to research the best win prices. Logue has done the legwork and has some suggestions on what to buy on the way to the grocery store or restaurant.
???Logue suggests tasting wines from some of the newer wine regions like Australia.
???"Australia has become a major force in the wine market today," Logue said. "There are some great wineries in Australia that have yet to be discovered, therefore they are not commanding the big bucks."
???Logue's two favorites are Oxford Landing GSM 2006 and Yalumba "Y Series" Riesling 2007. His descriptions of the wines will make you think about a second glass or even a second bottle.
???Oxford Landing GSM 2006 is a red blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre, according to Logue. The wine is packed with blueberry and blackberry flavors and hints of subtle spices -- clove, cinnamon and white pepper.
???"At approximately $9, it's a bargain," Logue said.
???Locally, Oxford Landing is available at Southgate Liquors in West Seneca and Tonawanda Wine & Liquor in Tonawanda.
???For white wine drinkers, the Yalumba "Y" Series Riesling will easily wet the palate, but Australian Rieslings aren't as sweet as Western New Yorkers might be generally used to, according to Logue. In comparison to New York and Canadian Rieslings, Australians do things a little differently.
???"What they offer is a great fruit driven style," Logue said. "Reminiscent of stone fruits: apricot, peach and melon with a delicious minerality and just enough residual sugar to balance it out perfectly."
???Logue recommends trying the Riesling with Thai and Pacific Rim dishes. The wine costs $10 per bottle, and is available at Cavalier Wine & Spirits in Lackawanna and the Georgetown Liquor Store in Buffalo.
???As any student knows, when conducting research it's always best to consult more than one source. Mark Strassel, the fine wine manger at Empire Merchants North, has done his homework on bargain wines and has some recommendations from California and even Spain.
???Spain has the best market for rock-bottom priced and quality wines, according to Strassel.
???"Tempranillo is the native red grape from which their most famous wines are made," Strassel said. "This medium-bodied wine is soft and juicy and goes great with everything from burgers to cold pizza."
???When it comes to white wine, Strassel heads off to California for a great Chardonnay. Chardonnay can have the connotation of being an older person's wine, but Strassel's description of Beringer's Chardonnay might cause a shortage at local stores.???
??? "If you've ever heard your parents talking about an oaky, buttery chardonnay, this is what they're talking about. Rich, smooth and having a pronounced buttered-popcorn flavor, this just might be the best value in chardonnay out there," Strassel said.
???He recommends trying Tapena Tempranillo and Beringer Chardonnay California Collection at $6.99 per bottle, available at any medium to large size liquor store around Buffalo.
???Tasting the forbidden nectar has never been very affordable, but now students of age can kick off their shoes and indulge in a little culture while saving some green.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
