Finding a Reasonable Grenache: It's a B*tch!

The "intriguing" B*tch wine packaging photographed next to Travertine's custom Pink Swarovski Resort T

It has been said that its not easy to find a good Grenache wine. Why you ask? Some vintners have written that they find it very difficult to grow the grape. From what I have read of the Grenache grape, its known to resist heat and is only able to tolerate a limited amount of rain. This explains why it can be temperamental. Having said all of that...I recently discovered a very delicious and reasonably priced Grenache that I want to share with my blog readers. Because of the painstaking process of growing this wine, its called.....wait for it: B*tch. Yes, pretty funny huh? I stumbled upon this little gem over the weekend while looking for a good wine to take to my friend Lynn's dinner party. We all love going over to Lynn's because the food is simply incredible and she really invests alot of time & love in its preparation. To reciprocate the kindness of the invitation, I wanted to get several bottles of good wine, but I didn't want to spend a fortune:) This is my recessionista credo, "good wines for less."

And that's how I discovered B*tch wine. At first, I thought it was a joke display at the Wineworks for Everyone store. The label looks almost like a novelty bottle, something that is not supposed to be good, but rather a joke. But I was drawn in by the label and the packaging, so I had to ask the store owner about it. She assured me that is was absolutely delicious. I was told it was the most amazing wine in the store for the price....of...$9.97! I was hooked, I had to try it. AND it IS good! The wine has a lovely berry aroma with a spicy finish. It coats the glass nicely. And don't just take my word for it, B*tch received 90 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "B*tch Grenache is sourced from 40- to 60-year-old vines from the Ebenezer sub-region of the Barossa. With the price of Cotes du Rhone soaring due to the weak dollar, I am hard pressed to think of a better value in full-flavored Grenache. .... Supple, sweet, and tasty, this wine totally over-delivers for its humble price and is an exceptional value." I couldn't agree more. If you're looking to buy the B*tch, here's a listing of retailers and prices. B*tch can also be purchased at The Wine House in Los Angeles, CA. B*tch is a product of the Barossa Valley, in South Australia.

If Grenache isn't to your liking here are a couple of other great wines I tried recently for great prices:

Greg Norman Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, a very robust Pinot reasonably priced at $14.99. This wine has lots of strawberry & berry flavors plus, a hint of chocolate.

Clay Station Old Vine Zinfandel 2004 This one may be the deal of the century. Its currently $5.99 at Trader Joe's in California, check their website for other states carrying it. This is a great table wine with hints of cranberry, and some even say carmel.

NOTE: After receiving a few comments on the name of the wine, the name has been changed to protect the innocent. Please refer to the label for a name reference :)