The Renegade Wine Company Red Wine

Cost: Average price $12

Where buy now: Zipp’s Liquors, South Lyndale Liquors

Grapes: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot

Region: Columbia Valley, WA

Vintage: 2012

The Renegade Wine Company Red Wine
The Renegade Wine Company Red Wine

Renegade Wine Company, a value brand produced by Sleight of Hand Cellars, is a label made for the savviest of all wine lushes. From their website, “Sleight of Hand Cellars has two basic goals in its vision statement: to make world class wines and to have fun while doing it.” Since I like world class wine, and having fun while doing it, how could I refuse?

A big time score for us cost-conscious drinkers, I first had Renegade Wine Company’s 2013 Rosé, which I adored! Sadly, it appears our market did not receive the 2014, which is a huge bummer. If you do happen to see it in a store, swipe it up — just don’t tell me about it (unless you’re planning to share… With no one else but ME!).

So, I’m moping around the store like a spoiled, First World, teenager who just cracked the screen on her Apple Watch. Since I couldn’t find the Rosé, I settled for their Renegade Wine Company’s Red Blend instead. I didn’t drink this bottle right away. In fact, since I thought it to be such a consolation prize, I just threw it in my wine rack figuring I’d run out of bottles at some point and try it.

Fast forward five days, a cooler than expected evening had me craving a red wine. Hmmmph, I _guess_ I’ll open this… red… blend.

What?!? This vino is delicious! Could it be that my low expectations going into it are skewing my perception? Perhaps, but there is only one scientific way to find out – back to the lab. And? Long story long: I bought the Renegade Wine Co.’s Red Wine again and it still drinks like a dream. A beautiful, splendid red blended wine dream.

Renegade Wine Co.’s Red Wine is Washington’s answer to a Bordeaux Blend. Let me explain. It is Cabernet dominated followed by Merlot. This one-two punch gives the wine it’s main structure: dark red fruit with hints of cocoa and tobacco. The depth of flavor is livened up by the addition of Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. These aid in it’s deeper dark color, hints of blueberry and coffee along with it’s moderate acidity. All in all, it’s a palate pleaser for everyone.

My dear friends, I deem this another bargain gem, my red wine of the week. Coming in around $12, we’ll gladly have these folks make world class wine, and we’ll have fun while doing it.

Did you see me on WCCO?

If you tuned in to Jamie Yuccas’ segment, “Minnesotan to Meet” on WCCO and are visiting my website, THANK YOU, I’m so glad you found me!

Do you enjoy wine? Are you in a wine slump? Are you a cheapskate? Do you know so little about wine you avoid the stuff? Do you just want to get down with your bad self for a night of frolicking? Folks, I’ve come to your rescue. Let me help you find the wine you didn’t know you were looking for?  Look to your right, I’m on social media. Find the platform of your preference and hit me up. No time for socializing? Simply sign up via your email address and you’ll receive a notification every time I post about another wine.

We support the "Drink Pink" movement.
We support the “Drink Pink” movement.

If you are slow to rise after a night of one too many,  you may watch it online. Check out the feature, Minnesotan to Meet.

Sending you Champagne wishes and Cabernet dreams. xoxo

FICTION Red Wine Blend

Cost: $8.99

Where buy now: Several stores nationwide

Grapes: California Kitchen Sink Blend

Region: Paso Robles, California

Vintage: 2013

Fiction can

“Honey, I’ll take it in the can tonight.”

And yes, you will. My Skank Wine of the Month is a little above my $6 threshold but it’s in a can which deems itself skank-worthy.

I grabbed a can of Fiction Red Wine Blend out of sheer curiosity. It’s a kitchen sink Cali blend and I was shockingly surprised. Cheeky, but I liked it!

Some thirty-something year old cat in California has a job that exposes him to some valuable grapes. He buys them up around the state and blends them into a wine he enjoys and now cans (for the cool kids.)

This wine is novel and has it’s place in the back pack of a bicyclist, in a cup holder on a boat or in your hand at a concert. This wine is deep ruby red boasting dried blackberry fruit flavor, herbs and mineral sweat. It’s like the thinnest kid at fat camp; confident enough to hold it’s own within it’s field.

Grill up some skin on wieners or my new fave – the Cherry Bomb Brat at Kramarczuk’s and crack a can. While your friends suck down PBR or the new Miller LITE throw back tall boys, you’ll pull this out and be all classy and shit.

By the way, the glass was used for posterity.