Top 50 Northwest Wines Under $30

With a broader reach and a smaller investment, this annual "best-of" list is something new worth exploring. Two common complaints about my annual lists of Top 50 wines go like this:

1. These wines are too expensive.
2. My favorite wines are missing.

To No. 2, I say: It's time to explore the world of Pacific Northwest wine beyond your comfort zone.

To No. 1: We offer a new feature: our top 50 wines under $30. (The "regular" Best-Of list will publish next week.)

Why $30? First, it's a reasonable amount to spend on a great bottle of wine. Second, it opens the options a bit for a list such as this. Already, we see a number of choices here from producers such as Precept Wine in Seattle and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in Woodinville. If I were to lower the budget to, say, $20 a bottle, my list of producers would be considerably less diverse (see complaint No. 2). Face it; that wouldn't be as much fun.

Tips for getting better deals:

• Buy in bulk. Wineries and merchants often offer discounts for buying a case at a time.

• Look for end-of-vintage sales. When a winery wants to release a new vintage, it sometimes discounts the few cases left of a previous vintage.

• Join the wine club. It commits you to a few bottles per quarter, but also earns you discounts on wines, tasting fees and events - plus the occasional club-only release of a unique wine. If you are a fan, it's well worth it.

Follow the link below to see the top 50 wines from the Pacific Northwest that retail for $30 or less.

For the complete story see: The Seattle Times