There are few estates that offer really great value for a wine tasting experience.  Signorello Vineyards, which launched its Enoteca program a couple of months ago, is  one of them. The food pairings are prepared by local chef Rodger Babel and are delicious and sufficient to make a lunch or dinner of. And at $65 a person it’s a steal for the quantity and quality of food and wine. I have spent that on a salad and a bottle of wine for two in Napa! The one long table in the Enoteca room can accommodate up to 12 people and has beautiful views.

Seek out wineries that go above and beyond the norm to provide a great tasting experience and you will enjoy the experience even more. Darioush winery, also on the Silverado Trail, also has one.

The tough economic times may be bad for restaurants and stores but are great for consumers. There is more great wine avaialbe now then ever before, and so much of it is finally well priced.

Stores that once sneered at me for seeking out wines under $10 are stacking them out on the floor. Most wine shops are now featuring prominent value sections, often chosen by wine geeky employees. Restaurants are offering half-off nights, ladies nights and two for ones. Take advantage of these deals. If you have a little money saved it’s even a great time to collect, as prices on classified Bordeaux are way down. One only wonders when, if ever, Napa may follow suit.

Do you know that most retailers will offer you a 10-percent discount on a case purchase? Some retailers only advertise this on a case purchase of a single wine, but most will–particularly in this economy–offer it on a “mixed” case. That’s what we in the business call an assortment of different wines. And it’s a great way to try to understand your own palate and test drive your relationship with your local retailer. Top local wine shops include K & L, Bevmo, Coit, Jug Shop and Wine Expressions. Seek out clerks you feel you can trust, talk to them about what you like and have him or her put together a case for you and see how you go. I welcome your thoughts on your new favorite wines.

I did a seminar a few days ago and an earnest guest asked what he could bring for the wine-savvy hostess (or host).  I told him to feel free to bring anything he liked that he thought would please his hosts but not to expect them to serve it at dinner. Most people who plan dinner parties put together the food and wine pairings way in advance of guest arrival. As lovely a bottle as you might bring, it simply may not fit in the dinner as planned. So don’t be offended, just keep that in mind.

When shopping for wine values, lesser-known regions and countries may offer better value than what’s in your backyard. In my home state the fabulous wine of Paso Robles offer a huge range of taste profiles, styles and price points. Abroad I often go for the amazing red blends of the Douro in Portugal or the everyday wines of Piedmonte like Barbera and Dolcetto.

Reliable sources report that close to 80% of wines purchased in the States are consumed within four hours. Since we are drinking our wines young, let’s enjoy them (and protect them) in their youthful, fruity state. Screwcaps are a blessing for many types of young wines (and servers love them). Let’s take a moment to appreciate their pluses, and encourage their presence in a sector where they excel. 

Try wines from new and emerging regions. Portugal (particularly the Douro) is one of my favorites for its intense and soulful reds. Some others include lesser-known areas of Argentina (think Salta in the north), Croatia or Greece.

So many restaurants price gouge with their wine lists. Wine (and cocktails) are often the most marked up item on offer. And typically the more inexpensive the wine the more it will be marked up (i.e. that $30 bottle of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc would cost you $8 retail). There are restaurant groups, like Plumpjack in SF and Danny Meyer’s restaurants in NY, that are dedicated to offering their clients gently marked up lists.

Vintage matters: even with young wines. And don’t presume that there’s only one vintage on offer at any one location. I recently found Concha y Toro 2007 and 2006 Sauvignon Blanc for sale in a fishing village outside of Puerto Vallarta. The 2006 was showing much better (and cost less).