Mmm, that wine was good!
It’s the morning after Thanksgiving in the U.S. The table has been cleared, the dishes washed, and it might be a while before we want to eat again.
I hope all of us who celebrate had a good time, including our Canadian brothers and sisters who celebrate earlier. I wish all our neighbors around the world peace, comfort, and good times as we move into a holiday season filled with good food, good drink, family, and friends.
We probably shouldn’t model our consumption on the rich glutton of ancient legend, as portrayed in the artist Mattia Preti’s 17th century oil painting, La cena del ricco Epulone, in the Galleria Nazionale di Arte Antica di Palazzo Barberini in Rome.
This week’s column has already been delivered, published a day early to anticipate the holiday. Today, though, I’m sending out this brief extra edition with two quick questions for you:
• If you’re in a mood to share, please stop in on our Substack Chat and tell us about the wine(s) you enjoyed.
• On this day when many people begin shopping for gifts for the holidays, it would mean the world to me if you would support this publication with a paid subscription. In order to avoid any influence on my judgement, I purchase all the wines I review from local merchants at my own expense, and I don’t accept free samples from wineries or distributors. This approach matters to me, and I hope it matters to you. Simply put, your support makes The 30 Second Wine Advisor possible.
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Now, here’s my report on the wine we enjoyed yesterday, tasted analytically before the meal, then enjoyed with our Thanksgiving dinner. Let’s hear about yours!
Today’s Tasting Report
Le Garenne 2021 Chinon ($23.99)
Le Garenne 2021 Chinon is made entirely from organically grown Cabernet Franc. Clear reddish-purple in color, not too dark, it opens up in the glass to reveal cranberry and plum aromas and hints of dried oregano and black pepper. The aromas carry over on the palate in a fresh, acidic flavor with soft tannins persisting into the finish. 13% alcohol. U.S. importer: Asgram LLC, Miami. (Dec. 2025)
FOOD MATCH: The back label credibly suggests “everyday dishes such as pasta with a herby tomato sauce or rib steak over an arugula salad.” It would be a natural with roast or grilled poultry – we’re looking at you, holiday turkey – and would serve well with robust plant-based entrees featuring herb-scented eggplant, mushrooms, bell peppers, or winter squash.
WHEN TO DRINK: This 2021 wine is ready to drink and enjoyable now, but it could benefit from as long as five years in a temperature-controlled cellar.
VALUE:
It’s a fine value in the middle to upper $20s. Wine-Searcher.com lists a $26 average U.S. retail price.
WEB LINK:
Le Garenne’s Chinon page in English.
FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Check prices and find vendors for Le Garenne Chinon on Wine-Searcher.com.
Wine-Searcher offers an info page about the Loire’s Chinon region and its wines at this Wine-Searcher link.
Follow this Wine-Searcher link for more about the Cabernet Franc grape and the wines it makes.
Find the wines you want
Explore Wine-Searcher
Wine-Searcher.com is the place to go online if you want to find where to buy a particular wine that interests you. What’s more, Wine-Searcher.com offers so much more. It’s well worth a visit just to discover its many features, including its popular list of the world’s Top 10 Best Value Wines.
Good wines we’ve tried under $10.99!
Want tips to still more good, inexpensive wines? Here are Wine-Searcher links to vendors and prices for a bunch more wines for $10.99 or less that I’ve told you about in recent years. In some cases, the prices may have risen over the $10.99 mark since I reviewed them, but they should still be excellent bargains. Please tell us about your favorites!
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