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Tim Lemke

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

Si Soave

It’s time for yet another Soave (SWAH-vey) review. This one comes from Si Soave and they get the award for “best bottle.”  Seriously, this bottle is the best I’ve seen since tasting the Travaglini Gattinara… and notice that both are Italian wines.  In addition to being an interesting looking bottle, it’s also really comfortable to […]

Cantina del Castello Soave Classico

Tonight we’re tasting another Soave, this time it’s one with the Classico DOC designation produced by Cantina del Castello.  This winery, which translated means “Castle Vineyard,” lies just below Scaligeri Castle in Soave.  A beautiful and regal location. This wine is produced from 90% Garganega and 10% Trebbiano di Soave.  This wine has not seen […]

Villa Erbice Soave Superiore Vigneto Panvinio

One of the things that I geek out about is introducing wines to those who are learning about them.  A lot of visitors to this site are people who are a little bit into wine, but curious and wanting to learn more.  I can’t encourage you enough to explore new varieties and try wines that […]

Tercos Bonarda

These days, a lot of wine consumers are turning to South America for some outstanding wine values—and in particular, they’re turning to Chile and Argentina.  When it comes to Argentine reds, Malbec is king.  But there’s another variety that’s widely grown in Argentina that you may want to try. It’s called Bonarda.  And, in fact, […]

Martellotto Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

I’ve done numerous wine reviews for which the background involved a family-run winery passed down from one generation to the next, but this one is a little different.  The roots of Martellotto Wines go back for generations and began in Italy, but the story now continues in California. Greg Martellotto’s grandfather immigrated to the US […]

Cono Sur Visión Gewürztraminer

When it comes to finding good wines at a great value, I’ve become a big fan of Chilean wine.  And while I’ve had some nice red wines from Chile, I’ve found many of their white wines to be stellar—particularly Sauvignon Blanc.  But this is the first Gewürztraminer I’ve tasted from Chile.  When I think of […]

Forest Glen Gewürztraminer

I’ll be honest with you, California isn’t the first region I think of when I’m looking for a Gewürztraminer.  And Forest Glen never comes to mind as a brand I would expect to turn to for Gewürz.  But then Forest Glen has surprised me before, like when their Pinot Noir topped some other Pinot’s more […]

Lucien Albrecht Gewürztraminer Reserve

Although its name can be intimidating to those who are new to wine, Gewurztraminer is a wonderful and exciting variety that I recommend you try.  But first, let’s deal with this name.  It looks long and complicated, but it’s not when you break it down.  Let’s start with the first half of the name, Gewürz, […]

Ten Carménère Under $20

Carménère , or Carmenere, was once one of the grapes of Bordeaux.  It was always a problematic grape, due to late ripening, but brings some unique qualities to the wine in which it’s used.  In particular, it’s known for giving a green pepper characteristic to wines, which is intensified when the grapes are harvested under-ripe.  […]

Valdivieso Reserva Carménère

Viña Valdivieso originated as Champagne Valdivieso way back in 1879.  It was the first producer in South America to make sparkling wine, and didn’t even begin producing still wine until 1980 when they expanded and formed Viña Valdivieso. The grapes for this Carménère are from Central Valley, which means that they aren’t from one region, […]