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Tim Lemke

Tim is the founder and chief reviewer at Cheap Wine Ratings since 2007.

Handcraft, Artist Collection, Cabernet Sauvignon – Like Cherries & Chocolate

A few weeks ago I wrote about the Handcraft Inspiration Red, a tasty little red blend.  So I thought I’d check out another wine from the Handcraft family, their cabernet sauvignon. I come across a lot of people who love cabernet sauvignon and for many it is their “go to” red wine.  Like many wines, it […]

Wolfgang Puck Master Lot Reserve Red Blend

I’ll admit it.  When I first saw this wine, I didn’t have high expectations.  After all, Wolfgang Puck isn’t known for wine, he’s a restauranteur — and a master at leveraging his personal brand to sell stuff. And while I’m sure he’s a talented chef (after all he had to have some credibility to build […]

Bolla Extra Dry Prosecco – A Bubbly Bargain

In my last review, I revisited a wine brand that used to be a regular for me (back when I was in my twenties), Bolla.  It’s a brand that offers plenty of decent wines at bargain prices, but for whatever reason it’s also a brand that I haven’t given a lot of love in the […]

Bolla Creso – Powerfully Delicious

In my early days of wine discovery, Bolla was one of my “go to” brands.  I was young and didn’t have a big wine budget, and Bolla offered some wines that were good for a bargain hunter like me.  And while I don’t drink Bolla very often these days, I still have a nostalgic appreciation […]

Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc – Crisp & Refreshing

Summertime is fast approaching and bringing warmer weather.  And when it comes to enjoying wine in the summer, I love crisp, tropical whites like sauvignon blanc. Like many wines, sauvignon blanc can vary depending on where it’s grown and the vinification techniques.  But most people I know who enjoy sauvignon blanc like it to be […]

Handcraft Inspiration Red Wine – Intensely Aromatic

I’ve been saying for the last few years that red blends are where it’s at when it comes to getting rich, flavorful wines at bargain prices.  And the number of California red blends on the market has been exploding recently.  This is a relatively new one from Handcraft Wines. Although you don’t see it mentioned […]

R8 Wine Co. Chardonnay – Simply Good

For a guy who is not that into chardonnay, I’ve found myself writing about a lot of chardonnay lately.  It’s not that I have anything against it, it’s just that exciting to me as a wine varietal.  But I’ve had some good chardonnay, some great chardonnay and some bad chardonnay over the years.  This one […]

Vinkara Kalecik Karasi – Easy & Delicious

Back in the Fall of 2012 I visited Turkey for the European Wine Bloggers Conference and had my first Turkish wines.  But after returning I haven’t written about Turkish wines at all, for a couple reasons.  One is that there weren’t that many Turkish wines that really impressed me.  Although there’s a long history of […]

Marsala – Much More than a Cooking Wine!

Are you familiar with a wine called “Marsala?”  What comes to mind when you think of that wine?  Is it Chicken Marsala?  You’re not alone and that’s a major challenge for this Sicilian wine region.  In fact, go do a Google search on Marsala.  What results do you get?  I’m going to guess that you […]

Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay – Complex and Balanced

Chardonnay is one of those wines for which you have seemingly endless options.  It’s grown in pretty much every major wine region of the world and the store shelves are lined with brand after brand. With so many options it should be no surprise that there’s also a wide range of quality and styles.  And […]