A budget-friendly bottle: My house wine

There are two things that are always on my grocery list: diapers and wine. The latter probably because of the former. Both can be expensive, and since we’re on the subject of cutting grocery costs lately, I figured I could come up with nothing more valuable than this tip: La Vielle Ferme’s wines are some of the best for lean wallets.

Usually found for less than $7, the red Cotes du Ventoux doesn’t have that over-the-top fruit found in other affordable types. It’s smooth and well-rounded, with good tannins and a pleasant nose with ripe fruit and some spice. An eonophile friend turned to me on to this bottle years ago when you could find it for under $6. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s an incredibly versatile fun quaffer that will keep you from falling into depression as you trim the budget fat.

My gift to you.