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Tim Lemke

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

Filipa Pato 3B Rosé – Bubbly, Beautiful, Blissful

In my last review, I highlighted a sparkling Vinho Verde from Portugal and I’m going to continue the theme of Portuguese bubbly today with a sparkling rosé. Filipa Pato comes from a family that’s been making wine for five generations.  Rather than just working in her family’s vineyard, she set out to study winemaking in […]

Castas de Monção Brut Sparkling Vinho Verde – Yes!

Happy New Year!  And just because the New Year’s Eve party is now over is no reason to not continue drinking bubbly.  Therefore, my first review of 2014 shall be a sparkling wine. OK, I’ll cut to the chase… I love this wine: Castas de Monção, Mstodo Classico – Bruto Natural.  The idea of this wine […]

Voveti Prosecco – Peachy-Good Bargain!

In a couple days celebrators around the world will pop open a bottle of bubbly to ring in the New Year.  A number of them will drop too much coin for high-priced sparklers that, although they can be great, many wine drinkers won’t even be able to tell the difference between them and a much […]

Segura Viudas Aria Estate Brut Cava – Complex and Elegant

‘Tis the season of celebrations and the time of year when people are more likely to be thinking about sparkling wines than other times of year.  Although I’m an advocate of celebrations anytime of year and of enjoying sparkling wine with or without a celebration. And I don’t think I’m the only one with this […]

Robert Mondavi Winery, To Kalon Vineyard Fumé Blanc – Elegant and Harmonious

Fumé blanc is another way to say sauvignon blanc.  It’s the same grape, just another name.  Perhaps a more elegant or exotic sounding name.  And it just so happens that this is an elegant sauvignon blanc.  But it also happens to be one that is priced above my general target of $20 or less. The […]

Graffigna Centenario Elevation Red Blend – Earthy, Fruity and Tasty

Red blends are where it’s at when it comes to finding good red wines that won’t break the bank.  Sure there are plenty of varietal wines that are good too, but the bang for the buck you get from red blends tends to be more consistent than single-variety wines in this price range. This blend […]

Ken Forrester Petit Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot – A Marvelous Value

Over the past year, I’ve found myself becoming more and more a fan of South African wines.  Of course with any region there are going to be some wines that are better than others — and some producers who are better that others.  And Ken Forrester is quckly becoming my “go to” producer from South […]

Emiliana Natura Un-oaked Chardonnay – Crisp and Fruity

If you’re one of those wine drinkers who swears they hate chardonnay, I implore you to try a “naked” or un-oaked chardonnay.  Or try a few of them as the winemaking can bring out different personalities in this style of wine.  But if you fancy yourself a chard-hater, stripping away the oak may change your […]

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc – Consistently Delicious

This is not the first time I’ve reviewed a Kim Crawford sauvignon blanc.  Just earlier this year I posted a review of the 2012 vintage and I loved it.  Now, I’m happily enjoying the 2013 vintage — and it is equally delicious. When I find a wine that’s consistently awesome, year after year, that wine […]

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva – Tasty Bargain Bubbly

It is holiday season and while I recommend sparkling wine any time of the year it’s a must during the holiday season. You might think that sparkling wine is a splurge, but if you know how to shop for it you can actually get some pretty darn good bubbly at prices comparable to any other […]