CHEAP ALTERNATIVES - Great BANG for the BUCK Wines

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I have talked about the following wines in this Video:
2017 Chateau de Rieussec Carmes de Rieussec Bordeaux France - 25 US $
2020 Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay Auckland New Zealand - 30 US $
2019 Kumeu River Maté's Vineyard Chardonnay Auckland New Zealand - 55 US $
2020 Michelini i Mufatto Mendoza Balsa de Piedra Red Blend Valle de Uco Argentina - 19 US $
2017 Raventos I Blanc De la Finca Brut Nature Catalonia Spain - 24 US $
2020 Domaines Chermette Moulin a Vent Les Trois Roches Beaujolais France - 23 US $
2017 Foundi Estate Estate Red Xinomavro Naoussa Greece - 14 US $
The 100 Point Scoring System (from www.robertparker.com):
96-100: An extraordinary wine of profound and complex character displaying all the attributes expected of a classic wine of its variety. Wines of this caliber are worth a special effort to find, purchase and consume.
90 - 95: An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines.
80 - 89: A barely above average to very good wine displaying various degrees of finesse and flavor as well as character with no noticeable flaws.
70 - 79: An average wine with little distinction except that it is a soundly made. In essence, a straightforward, innocuous wine.
60 - 69: A below average wine containing noticeable deficiencies, such as excessive acidity and/or tannin, an absence of flavor or possibly dirty aromas or flavors.
50 - 59: A wine deemed to be unacceptable.
To give you a little bit of context let's first talk about wine prices
Wine is one of the very few products that have an enormous price range. You can buy fermented grape juice for one Dollar or, essentially a bottle of the same product for hundreds of thousands of Dollars.
Granted, these expensive wines are often old and have a special story attached to them, but they are also “just” fermented grape juice.
If you pay a little more money for a bottle of wine the winemaker generally has more money at her or his disposal to make better wine, improve the practices in the vineyard and maybe expand their business.
But there is a point when the correlation between price and quality gets very loose.
So when the connection between the price and quality loosens, it is most of the time because of the demand for a wine. Many top-quality wines are from a specific vineyard and you cannot grow the production depending on demand. So, if a limited amount of wine achieves a very high level of demand the price might skyrocket. I am going to give you alternatives today - wines that do not yet see high demand and therefore offer great bang for the buck.
The first way to save money is to go for the less famous neighbor. If you like a specific style of an iconic wine it might make sense to buy a bottle of wine from the neighborhood. Especially if it was made in a better vintage.
For example, Chateau Yquem is one of the most famous estates in the world. 2018 currently retails for 200 US$ for half a bottle and it was rated 93 points by Vinous - granted other publications have scored it higher.

[@hummingbird3771]

Love some cava, and the bubbles from Gruet in the states have some real gems.

[@ongcheonghock]

Chateau Cantemerle is a very good 5th growth Bordeaux for less than the price of a good second wine from the major chateaus. Generally very good with al the characteristics of Bordeaux!

[@itsmederek1]

This video should go viral! Konsti your videos are just getting better and better

[@stefanpool1986]

For me it would be the Guerriero della Terra. Retails at around 25€. Also looking forward to tasting my Hungarian wines, Sauska Cuvée and Tokaj. Last but not least Bernardus Chardonnay - Monterey USA. Just great wines and bang for the buck.

[@Jonathanbourassa]

Chateau fleur du casse 2 ieme cuvée. Incredible red wine. 42$ here in canada. 2012, 2018-19 are amazing. Not so much the 2014 milesime. Got some in the cellar to open in 10-15 years to taste the evolution.

[@danielhicks1682]

The White Coudolet de Beaucastel is an amazing white Cotes Du Rhône. Drinks like a $75 white Rhône for $12 Us

[@christianstahlberger9138]

Danke für die interessanten Alternativen. Der Carmes de Rieussec und der Moulin a Vent Les Trois Roches gehören schon eine Weile zu meinen Favoriten

[@JackAgainski]

I picked up 6 full bottles of the 2015 Rieussec for less than $50 a bottle.

[@thecookreporting]

Would love another one of these videos.

[@beeeech]

Some solid recommendations, thanks! Just for the record, it's mate's vineyard as in your friend (mate). Like the Aussie term, "g'day mate!"

[@BenJooste-w9t]

Really like this video as i feel there are always underrated wines for way cheaper. Do you ever review South African wines as i feel there are brilliant value for money (biased of course)

[@MrEnriqueHeredia]

Best bang for the buck wine is 2017 El Enemigo Cabernet Franc, retails for $22 here in California and drinks better than most wines under $50

[@dkm2828]

My greatest pleasure is to find alternatives to well known names. In no particular order: - Franciacorta would be a great and often alternative Champagne, - Mencia (Spain) and Nerello Mascalese (Sicily) -> Pinot Noir, - Xinomavro (Goumenissa appellation) -> Nebbiolo, - Baga(Portugal)-> Nebbiolo, - Gosset 12 ans de cave -> Dom Perignom P2 Keep up the great work Konstantin. My question of the day to YOU: when are you coming to the States to taste with your American followers 😊?

[@El_contador75]

Couple of things: 1) clearly taste is subjective which is ultimately a good thing. 2) however you need to compare what's comparable. Sparkling with traditional method? Sure but maybe stick to same country and similar grapes. Ie compare champagne with cremant and on the latter you find real value. But comparing 2 different grapes and saying one is superior to the other is absolutely ridiculous. You can prefer one to the other but they doesn't make it better or superior in any way...

[@cyberasylum]

You are right David with the Baga from Bairrada. Very Nebbiolo like and underrated.

[@itsmederek1]

@@El_contador75 The arrow means alternative for not greater than in this case...

[@andrewgould3243]

Thank you!

[@stavroslazarou6434]

Great video, as always! Warm congratulations. Being a Greek, I love xinomayro (for example from Alpha estate). I also like Agiorgitiko Papaioannou that retails for around 10 euros. The vines are grown with an archeological site on the background. An interesting vineyard to visit.

[@Hillcapper1]

I’ve become a big fan of yours Herr Baum! You cover subjects so well and without dragging it out. Appreciate your short intro too! Thanks for the humor you add also.

[@tlhuffman]

I just ran across a low-cost alternative to Champagne. Simonnet-Febvre Cremant de Bourgogne Brut. This wine from Burgundy uses the same grapes as Champagne--Pinot Noir and Chardonnay--and the same wine-making process, the Méthode Champenoise. This wine has a wonderfully yeasty, brioche-like flavor. I thought that it was really good. The cost? $23.

[@andrewwebster15]

I love that you’ve offered principles, varietals, and regions, and not just specific producers or bottles, which can be hard to find for some.

[@MrZachwallace]

Everyone loves finding a great, underrated wine - thanks for the suggestions! I have found some great wines from the Dao and and Douro lately that are still really well priced.

[@MatissLibietis]

What a great video!! Howard’s Folly Branco from Estremoz, Portugal. Alentejo region, wine capital of Portugal. Can send you a bottle if you like. It retails for only 15€ but can blow some socks off.

[@thsucicsucic7344]

More of those videos!

[@stroopwafel6141]

Great video. The Rieussec is indeed a bargain. For pinot noir I usually shop in New-Zealand, Germany (spätburger and sometimes also frühburgunder) and even Romania. Chili has excellent alternatives for Bordeaux and sometimes Rhône (Cono Sur, Montes, Luis Felipe Edwards etc.), South-Africa for syrah and also some very decent chardonnay wines. I think today Portugal offers bang for the buck, unique blends are to be found and therefore maybe not quite comparable to wines from other countries, but very good price-quality balance. Underrated regions like Friuli and Bolgheri (Italy) and Bierzo and Rías Baixas (Spain) offer bang for your bucks as well. Still buying quite some wines from southern Rhône (Lirac, Cairanne etc.). They're still quite affordable.

[@flogau4069]

So happy that you featured this Moulin à Vent from the domaines Chermettes. A personal favourite that got me into wines. Great tips in this video. We can tell how much work and thoughts you've put into making your videos fun and interactive for us, since the early days of the channel. Keep it up Konstantin !

[@rajo741]

I agree about Kumeu River. At all levels their Chardonnays are great value. Especially the Hunting Hill vineyard.

[@RCTricking]

Cotes du Rhone Village for sure. Even in middle of nowhere US I can get good stuff from $11-17 a bottle. And of course white wines like NZ Sauv Blanc

[@crushagrape]

Thank you Konstantin - I really enjoyed this video. For the past few years, if I want a great champagne-style wine, I look for bottles from Sussex England. Great quality and SUCH fun to discover.

[@uff3511]

This kind of video is really helpful

[@Blue28485]

Love the video, please do more of these! I got wonderful values from Pic Saint Loup, and Etna Rosso.

[@joaoribeira]

This is a fantastic video, Konstantin. This kind of reasoning is essential for most wine lovers!!

[@andybaumgaertner8235]

Great video as always. One of my favorite wines and an amazing value is the Immortelle, Cotes de Roussillon Villages. Great wine from an underrated region

[@CeRockTV]

I hope this becomes a regular format on this channel, great video!

[@kpwjjwemmcj]

Just order 10 boxes of the xinomavro(for me and some friends)! Love these kind of videos, thanks for sharing

[@yxthio]

I love the Kumeu River chardonnays, absolutely delicious

[@Deep-Listener]

I second your recommendation of the Rieussec, had some to celebrate a special occasion over the summer. Absolutely incredible wine for a great bargain.

[@jamesallison4875]

I don’t regret subscribing. Great content and you aren’t annoying! Thanks

[@franciscoalvarez1189]

Genius! I work in wine retail in Argentina, and I spent a good time looking for some lesser known wines that resemble the more expensive ones. Looking for the same winemaker or region is what it works here, since we don't give that importance to the DOC (with some exceptions). Thank you! I always enjoy your videos with my morning coffee (ironic isn't it?)

[@eragontherider123]

While you did mention cru Beaujolais, going over to Jura and getting some sparkling gamay can give some very tasty wines. Perfect with a nature walk and strawberries and cream.

[@ramsfan1962]

2 of my favorites are Lafage, Bastide Miraflors a Syrah - Grenache blend from Southern France, $14 USD, and Lopez De Heredia, Vino Cubillo Tempranillo blend, $22 USD.

[@juarezlowe8]

I like the Sideral wine by Dassault and San Pedro.

[@shaunsandow2073]

Great video - I was looking them up at my local auction house as you went... got some of the Sauterne for AU$50 (for the 2018), but none of the others... will certainly keep an eye out for the Greeks.

[@lars5174]

I wonder what you think about the Languedoc Region Wines? Any chance for a future video on that?

[@FranciscoRamirez-hp8ci]

Fantastic wines and very good alternative to expensive wines. I thank you so much for giving us that information. It's a pleasure to watch your videos.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

BIG fan of the alternatives. I love the wines from Reventos i Blanc and get fooled in blind tastings by them. Xinomavro is a STELLAR variety too, I always bring them to Barolo blind tastings to try and trick people hahaha

[@gamatoutsikos]

Xinomavro is unique though. Which one do you think it resembles?

[@EKdlwoasred]

I like echo falls!

[@panaceiasuberes6464]

So funny to see this video with 20k views in 24 hours. I remember the days when to see a video here get 50 more views I had to email the link to 20 people. You came a long way, Sir.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

Thanks!

[@fanatiek1]

Great video again. My favourite wines in the range quality for no money come from an old wine making country that makes fabulous wines, North Macedonia. You don't find them that easy in Belgium but they are great bargains. Also the Languedoc-Roussillon and Southern Rhône are my preferred regions for quality fruit bomb bargains. Looking forward to your next video. Cheers!

[@jamesstokes8920]

And my education continues. Thank you.

[@MarcKoetse]

Good video Konstantin! We are just tasting a suberb Godello (Valdoreas), only 14€ (in NL} and imho a suberb alternative to high end viognier.

[@baumulrich]

great list! personally prefer morgon over moulin a vent but horses for courses i suppose. another good example is st joseph vs cote rotie. they have increased in quality over the last ten years enourmously and if you pick the right ones they also have enough southern exposure to get enough concentration

[@radu6180]

Good information, excellent direction! Still waiting for a verdejo video :)

[@lars2894]

Great video as I am just getting into exploring the world of wine! Please consider doing a top value budget wine for under US$10 video. You know, something decent for everyday heavy drinkers or people looking for good cooking wine who can't afford to spend $20 every other day.

[@williamrobinson7435]

Best bang for buck for me has to be any year of Piesporter Michelsburg, cheap as chips for such light elegance. Cheers! 🥂👍

[@beatzwygart8174]

Sweet Wines from Austria!!

[@colinbrigham8253]

Thank you 🤗 that was very helpful 🇬🇧

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

You’re welcome 😊

[@Masterbeing]

Commenting to help you with the algorithm. Don’t have a lot to say other than this video rocks like all of the others.

[@KonstantinBaumMasterofWine]

😁

[@michellecbauer]

What a great video! So helpful, Konstantin. Thank you for these lovely recommendations for broadening our palates.

[@NickKnightx]

Fabulous ! I’m in wine sales, I’m always trying to learn about great alternatives !

[@kasewonone]

Awesome video on great value wines. Great exposure for the producers as well. Right now, my favorite value wine is Fattoria La Massa’s La Massa. Enjoyable Tuscan blend. I’m on my second case and I’m thinking about buying more

[@stanleovart]

Good hint and tricks 👌👌

[@robdielemans9189]

The only hack that I knew was that you can find wines in Gigondas pretty close to Châteauneuf-du-Pape for half price. My newest hack is that with climate change Germany is way better equipped to handle Pinot Noir than Burgundy good Burgundy is 50-ish Euros and good Spätburgunder is 20-ish Euros. The same goes for Chardonnay and North of Italy. The absolute biggest bang for buck has to be white Côtes de Gascogne. usually under 10 euros, but I once found a 2,5 euro bottle which had all of the characteristics of this expression and was enjoyable. Around 20 euros you find great wines also in Greece with their assyrtiko and in Italy on the island of Sardinia their vermentino's to this day never disappoints. Konstantin, great video, I believe you can make this a series.

[@pici5533]

Some other examples. Ch Lilian Ladouys from st. estephe. A bottle of their bordeaux runs for 30-40$ a bottle. Yet they are extremely close neighbors to both cos d'etournel and lafite rotschild. Which are two chateus that have very expensive wine. Same thing with Ch Domonique from St.Emillion, their wines usually are 60-70$ a bottle, which is no bargain. But can be considered one when you realize their neighbor is cheval blanc which can run up to 1000 a bottle.

[@felixaltenbuchinger2607]

I had a Brouilly from Domaines Chermette in a restaurant in Bordeaux. I have to say that it really impressed me :)

[@pedrobarroso8330]

Yeah I found a bottle of Carmes de Rieussec(750ml) for half price at a place that was about to close down. It was over 10 years old and had aged fantastically. Fantastic stuff!

[@alexandrehenri-bhargava2741]

Our Bordeaux blends from the Okanagan Valley in Canada are stellar. Many are not exported widely but you can find Osoyoos Larose “Le Grand Vin” and Painted Rock “Red Icon” in Europe

[@nikifo13]

Fantastic video Konstantin! Greece has indeed some amazing wines and, as a Greek, I feel bad for not having a decent knowledge of them, as I do have for French, Italian or Spanish wines. It would be really nice if you could make a video about Greek wines and especially Greek grape varieties (Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, Mavrodafni etc), as you did for Portugal or Georgia. I have a question for you. I really love Bordeaux-blend wines and I would be interested if you could suggest wines focusing on Greek varieties that come close to that result. A dry Mavrodafni blend maybe?

[@matador677]

I found through a friend Domaine du Bois de Saint Jean L’intrelide 2018. Côtes du Rhône is the region. This is probably the price because this doesn’t have great ageability. 60% granache, 20% syrah, 15% mourvedre and 5% carignan. If you can get this Konstantin, you should get it and review it. About $18.00 a bottle, was a few years ago, 14ish.

[@peterburlin8198]

I always stock up on Cru Beajolais when I get a chance, great wines, great value! Never heard of Xinomavro but now Im on the lookout!

[@sjdehaan1]

I think vinho verde can provide great value for money. Curvos Avesso for example is a really crisp nice wine.

[@robertterry9854]

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz-Cabernet awesome bang for the buck

[@joeladler7577]

You have to make a review from wines of Luxembourg. Also cheap price, but good quality.

[@danielemdalashkanian1890]

So informative! 🤩 Maybe you could go in more depth with the wines in a sequel? Maybe testing the alternatives against the aforementioned! Could be awesome! 😎

[@FabrizioDiCarlo]

On Champagne alternatives I would also say try some Franciacorta from Italy, still done using traditional method and really valid alternatives (although price are slightly higher than Cava)

[@kristianfjeldgaard1]

Oh no! You revealed the secret about Kumeu River. Now prices will go up😊

[@barath4545]

The NZ Chardonnay, or well almost any oversea Chard I've had over the last 20 yrs, have not been near the same style as Bourg Chardonnay. It's just not the same - It feels like replacing apples with pears - And I would love to find one but have not. Even Chablis isn't quite the same as X-Montrachet wines, although it's closer. Second wines - Sure I agree there, cause it is a direct replacement and it works.

[@juanmanuelmunozhernandez7032]

My favourite gold nugget so far is old vine Garnacha Eslizón from the Campo de Borja appellation in Spain. The 2019 vintage scores 90 points from Robert Parker and it retails for less than 6€ in Spain. It shows incredible fruit concentration with varietal character and a gentle touch of oak. Structure-wise it’s pretty well balanced for a Grenache varietal from a warm country, with juicy acidity, soft tannins and not particularly high alcohol.

[@juanmanuelmunozhernandez7032]

I must add that the 2019 vintage is slightly past its peak in my opinion, but even if the 2020 didn’t get those scores and is full of dubious medals, it’s still a great example of Spanish Grenache. I’m surprised it’s not part of the “Grenaches of Spain” project

[@rikheyvaert3180]

My "Bang for buck" is El Hombre Bala from the Sierra de Gredos region in Spain. Around 30 USD and definitely worth it!

[@genrr2361]

Nice, adding those 6 into shopping list

[@alexeysergeev2151]

Awesome video, Konstantin! It would also be cool to know your opinion about the best cheaper alternatives to top Northern and Southern Rhone red wines (e. g. from Cote Rotie and Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCs). There are lots of fans of these wines out there.

[@stpd1957]

Great suggestion

[@yiul0726]

Similar and way cheaper wines with terroirs very close to Châteauneuf du Pape you can look for Gigondas (La ferme du mont for exemple) or Vacqueyras. Then for côte Rôtie it is more special as they add viognier in the blend, but you can try look for wines from Seyssuel which is just next to côte Rôtie and doesn't have AOC but IGP despite long history of the vignoble there

[@alexeysergeev2151]

@@yiul0726, these are good cheaper alternatives indeed, but the question is what are other options outside the Rhone area (e. g. In the New World ).

[@yiul0726]

@@alexeysergeev2151 Then I can't help, I feel like there is no Syrah similar to the Northern Rhône, new World tends to plant syrah in warmer places making overbodied wines to my taste, but I might be wrong so I would be happy if Konstantin could answer your question.

[@danielplainview4778]

I’ve found there are basically no “cheap” wines from northern rhone regions like rotie, hermitage, cornas etc

[@townazier]

My favourite value wines, you must be very familiar with, are the varied Rieslings of central europe.

[@hungryformusik]

Very good video. This is the stuff I like and is beneficial to all wine ethusiasts on a low budget. Thank you! Good bang for the buck, in my opinion, are also Sancerre, Arneis, Southern Côte du Rhone, and Sangiovese from Tuscany.

[@barbarabird3827]

Bubbles: Hush Heath Estate - England - chardonnay, méthode traditionale Toro-Spain: Hermanos Lurton: value, 1/4 price of Numanthia or Pintia Barbaresco Riserva, single vineyard- anything from Produttori del Barbaresco ( always great QPR) (There always seems to be the question of availability- I zero in on favorites when I get out of my little corner...)

[@nasos00]

Thank you for the great video! Xinomavro is really good. It transforms with age too and it's incredible with food pairing. Interested in learning more about the New Zealand Chardonnay too

[@timokupsa202]

Spanish wines in general are nice since you do not need to age them. You can get a proper quality per price ratio as well. Same with Portugal prices are even lower, but then you need to know bit more what to buy

[@tomlafferty4393]

Raventós i Blanc was the elder of the siblings of the Raventós Codorníu brand. He split when Codorníu went over commercial. In 2012 they announced they would leave the Cava appellation as the designation was becoming known for cheap wines. They are still producing the same Cava styles, but they are making some great wines.

[@fingersfinesilver]

Know the rest but the GREEK WINE! (I'm a barolo lover so I have to try it. Thank you so much. Big like.

[@Jakob-kz9tc]

Great video. I would love to see "Best wines below 20 euro"!!

[@jprst]

Outstanding content!

[@MrWayneJohn1]

Another excellent video. Huge thank you for the great content!

[@baggrabb]

As always a great take on wine, and cutting through some of the emotions that often cloud our judgement of quality and value. Thanks, will seek out some alternatives!

[@elfblood9127]

Great video. I am poor so I always appreciate your videos on decent cheaper wines. How about a video on entry level wines based upon region?

[@hatchegg80]

once i see kumeu and carmes rieussec on there, i know i have to try the rest

[@AShiga]

I find Cote Challonaise and Haute-Cotes are great substitutes for Cote de Nuits/Beaune for both reds and whites. I find Bojo gammays have (a lot) more weight and darker fruits if you don't go for the lighter crus. I haven't tried great Cava yet so I've been sticking to Cremant de Bourgogne.

[@fredvallenet]

Great advice! I'll try the New Zealand selection. What about a video where you would select nice Bourgogne/Burgundy from the Bourgogne region under 30 Euro. It is so difficult to get quality Bourgogne bottles red or white at this price point.

[@LiveLifeLasting]

Look at Mercury, premier crus for 30 or less, Michel Juillot and others

[@LavenderLori406]

THIS IS A GENUS POST! I can only afford to drink my friend's Y'quem!

[@Looptydude]

I go real budget for my wines. The Kirkland Malbec from Costco is probably my favorite for about $7 a bottle, and just about anything from Concha Y Toro's Frontera line of malbecs, cab/merlot, or their After Midnight blend. I only jump up to the $20-$30 for the local Texas wines, and I rarely go above that.

[@1800Clips]

What’s your favorite Texas wines? I just moved to Fort Worth.

[@Looptydude]

@@1800Clips most of them are by San Antonio, Llano, Fiesta, Mendelbaum Cellars, Fat Ass, Grape Creek, Blue Lotus. That is just a handful of them, there are dozens in Fredericksburg alone.

[@gijsh370]

Budget wine that I LOVE is Tenuta Sant'Antonio Scaia Bianca. Explosion of peach for around €10

[@invinegod]

What’s a good price replacement for high end German Riesling?

[@cosmodoc]

Hi Konstantin, for those living in the UK, it would be really interesting to hear your opinion about the quality of the wines of Naked Wines (a wine club), if you could get hold of them , they seem to be rather good value and from more unknown regions

[@carlcadregari7768]

Love the reventos…. Great video…. Great choices. Chateau Guiraud is my go to Sauternes. Not as cost effective as the one you mentioned….I’ll need to find those. Best bang for the buck? Gamay cru. 2016 Arnoldo Rivera unicicomuni barolo…. Punches well above its price.

[@vaporizer1000]

In this year i bought 14 kg grape of some local hybrid from cabernet savingon and some other franche red grape strain. It was not very easy but i found some seller who send me this from region near moldova and very close to black sea. Grape is not like very European style but very rich and complex about taste and aroma. Price only 0,4 euro per kilo plus delivery 0,25 euro per kilo. They send me when here was cold weather and grape arived very fresh and good for wine making. But in my case hard to find a good seller. And for me this wine will be around 1 dollar price per bottle. Just i don't know how fermentation will go becase some time this complex south grapes won't fermented to dry and stop fermentation on some point until is will be bottled and temperature will go up is pretty high.

[@peteradams5383]

I'd like to nominate a whole country for my value -for-money favourite - Chile. Very seldom over £40 ($45-50), there are numerous excellent Cabernets, Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignons to be had, many at less than £25 ($30). We are blessed in the UK with wines from most growing nations readily available to us, so vfm options abound.