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How to select a good wine for $10 or less

By WTOP Staff

Scott Greenberg

WTOP Wine Contributor

WASHINGTON — Last week, I wrote an online column recommending wine pairings for Thanksgiving. Many of my well-thought out wine
recommendations were in the $15 per bottle price range.

However, after reading some of
the online comments, I came to two conclusions; first, I have a thick skin. Second,
many people would like to see recommendations for wines in the $10-or-less range.

The latter is a tall order. All of the fixed costs that go in to producing an average
“weekday” bottle of wine — grape growing or acquisition, labor, equipment, legal
resources, storage, shipping and distribution — add up to around $9 per bottle. That
does not leave a lot of wiggle room if you’re wine shop is only charging $10 per
bottle.

But it also depends on the quality of the juice going into the product. Massed-produced
wines can get their costs down another $1 or $2 per bottle, but the quality of the wine
might suffer. So, what other costs can be trimmed in order to get a decent bottle of
wine for $10 or less? Distribution.

Ever since the repeal of Prohibition, there has been a three-tier system of alcohol
distribution in the United States. The three tiers are producers, distributors and
retailers (i.e.: the wine shop). The basic structure of the system is that wine
producers can sell their products only to wholesale distributors, who then sell the
wine to retailers, who, in turn, may sell to consumers.

Some states have become their own alcoholic beverage control jurisdictions. In these
states, part or all of the distribution tier, and sometimes also the retailing tier,
are operated by the state government itself. Think Utah and Pennsylvania to name a few.
These states may also appoint contractors to operate under their authority.

Washington State does not require any form of three-tier system is the state of
Washington. There, retailers may purchase alcoholic beverages directly from producers,
negotiate volume discounts and warehouse their inventory themselves. The wine shops in
the District of Columbia can sole-source wines directly from wineries if — and only if
— the wines are not currently provided by a local distributor.

But it does not take a lot of imagination to conclude that wines that are sourced
directly from the winery — cutting out the proverbial middle man — and can be offered
at a more competitive price than if they went through the normal three tier system. The
relationships that wine shops develop with certain wineries provide consumers with some
unique wines for less money, resulting in truly exceptional values.

Here are a few exceptional values to keep on hand during the holidays:

Non-vintage Rondel Brut Cava from Spain
This light-bodied bubbly from Spain is more fruity than dry, but this “extreme brut” is
full of floral scents of white lilies and filled with soft peach, nectarine and roasted
nut flavors. Briny and fresh it would be fantastic with shrimp or scallops. Total Wine,
McLean, Virginia, $9.

2013 Chardonnay ‘Della Venezie’ by Allegrini
Here is a great value for a delicious un-oaked Chardonnay from northern Italy. It’s
made by Allegrini, the famous Amarone producer. The ripeness of the fruit comes through
with an intense aroma of apple and pear, enlivened by a subtle citrus boost. Graceful
and harmonious, it is striking for its clear-cut, pristine palate. It has considerable
body, supported by a crisp acidity. Available at MacArthur Beverages in D.C., $10.

2012 Chanarmuyo Estate Malbec from Argentina
This lovely Malbec offers up soft tannins supporting flavors of velvety plum and
blackberry fruit. Just a hint of smoke finds its way onto the medium-based finish.
Available at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill in D.C., $10.

2013 Legado Munoz Tempranillo from Spain
This Tempranillo has firm tannins and offers up a flavorful profile of dark berry
fruit, earthy spices and just a little pepper. Available at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill
in D.C., $10.

Cloud Break Pinot Noir from California
The Cloud Break Pinot Noir has charming aromas of raspberry and strawberry with notes
of vanilla. Oak aging rounds out the wine and gives it body. Flavors of fresh
strawberry, cherry, and raspberry fill the palate. The wine is elegant and crowd
pleasing. Great with Salmon. Available at MacArthur Beverages in D.C., $9.

Ropiteau Pinot Noir Vin de Pays from Vin de Pays, Southern France
Established in 1848, Ropiteau Freres has a long history of making great Pinot Noir.
This super value is proof positive. Bright cherry and berry fruit is complemented by
earth tones and a smooth soft finish. Excellent with a Lamb Stew. Available at Total
Wine, McLean, Virginia, $10.

Radius Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State
Fresh, Black Cherry, Chocolate, Medium-bodied Washington- Aromas and flavors of
currant, black cherry and red jammy fruit. Hints of toasty oak lead to a long finish in
this bold wine. Enjoy with red meats, game, sharp cheeses and dark chocolate. Available
at Total Wine, McLean, Virginia, $10.

2013 Las Lilas Vinho Verde from Portugal
A bright, refreshing, young Portuguese white, tinted with lime zest and tropical fruit
and accented by effervescence. Available at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill, $10.

2012 Legado Munoz Grenache From Spain
The Legado Munoz Grenache is light to medium bodied with notes of red and black
berries, and a hint of spice. Available at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill, $10.

2012 Chanarmuyo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc from Argentina
This is the perfect burger wine, a ripe red berry Cabernet with silky tannins and a
long finish. Available at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill, $10.

2013 Merum Monastrell from Spain
Peppery tannins, raspberries and earth, a perfect food pair for BBQ, stew, anything
meat. Available at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill, $10.

2010 Ma Gini Toscano Rosso Sangiovese from Italy
A young Sangiovese with fairly strong tannins, notes of anise, sun-dried tomatoes and
herbs. Available at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill, $10.

And in case you want to splurge…

2012 Cotes du Rhone rouge by Domaine de Mourchon from France
This is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40 percent Syrah. This Cotes du Rhone offers
vibrant black raspberry, toasted spice, licorice and hints of violets to go with a
medium-bodied, supple and seamless profile on the palate. Possessing excellent
ripeness, as well as an excellent mid-palate, it’s a rock-solid bottle of wine to drink
over the coming five to seven years. Available at MacArthur Beverages, $12.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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