Uncork great wine values at Belgian Waffle Works.
Three bottles of Château Lafite-Rothschild 1869 recently sold at auction for the equivalent of $232,692 a bottle. The median price of homes nationwide in the third quarter of 2010 was $177,900. Should you get a bottle of wine, or buy a home and a BMW? Hard decision!
So what’s our point? Wine does not need to be expensive to be delicious. In fact, good wine can fit any budget and any type of cuisine.
Tips for buying the right wines for the right price:
- Go with unfamiliar vineyards that must rely on quality and taste instead of name brand to survive the marketplace.
- Step out of Napa Valley and France. Lesser known regions of Argentina, South Africa, or Italy produce some quality wines at reasonable prices.
- Enjoy wine tastings! Vineyards, wine shops and even grocery stores offer tastings. Talk to the experts to refine your tastes and stay within budget.
- Pay attention to the vintage. You might read about a great Merlot, purchase a case, and then be disappointed in the flavor. Make sure you buy the right year, as vintages can differ greatly.
- Buy in bulk! When you find a wine you like, talk to your wine shop manager about a price break on a large quantity.
When buying wine, try not to be intimidated by price or overwhelmed by wine industry jargon. Wine is meant to be enjoyed, so find something you truly enjoy and don’t worry about what the crowd or experts might say. Comedian John Cleese has a few comical things to say about the subject, in his video, Wine for the Confused.
New to wine and how it can be paired with different foods? Some general guidelines are to match the lightness of the wine with the lightness of the food being served.
Consider the region of your dish. Cooking up some paella? Maybe a Spanish Rioja wine would be the perfect accompaniment. In some instances, you can copy pairings that are centuries old. Here are some guidelines for basic pairings:
- Cabernet – red meats, and anything you throw on the grill
- Merlot – pork, pasta dishes and mushrooms
- Pinot – fish, chicken, and other lighter fare
- Find balance through your choice of wine. Spicy Thai food might need a sweeter wine to enhance and not overpower the flavors.
Belgian Waffle Works offers a full selection of beautiful wines to accompany your lunch, dinner or snack. Our wine list includes several varieties from Sycamore Lake, Coastal Vines, Salmon Creek and Jarhead. We also proudly feature One Hope Wine and sell bottles of Fire Station Red, Jacob’s Creek, Mad Housewife, Rutherford, Lost Angel, Castle Rock and Kenwood. And, for those who enjoy sparkling varietals, try a lovely glass or bottle of champagne.
The Belgian Waffle Works is a full-service family restaurant featuring 17 original specialty Belgian-style waffles, homemade soups, fresh market salads, gourmet sandwiches, juicy burgers, homemade breads, Espresso, Cappuccino, premium desserts, wine, beer, specialty drinks and more. Belgian Waffle Works’ waffles are made from an exclusive mix, which is available for sale onsite and online. Come join us for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You’ll be glad you did!