Cuvee de Pena is a "Vin De Pays" (country wine), a step in the French wine classification which is above table wine, produced in Pyrénées-Orientales in the South of France near the border of Spain.
It is imported by Hand Picked Selections, who Robert Parker says is "Perhaps the top importer in the United States for specializing in wines that sell for less than $10."
Selling for between $6 and $9 it is a tremendous value for a French wine.
Wine critics call this a very "friendly" wine. I tend to agree. Usually I have been disapointed by inexpensive French wines, but this one was an exception. Friends that tasted it were pleased as well.
Made with Grenache, Carignan, Syrah and Mourvedre - "Not only friendly, maybe the world’s most versatile wine. Just try to find a food it doesn’t work with! Cuvee de Peña happily accompanies hot dogs, tuna casserole, gourmet burgers, roast prime rib of beef, fish sticks, chinese carry-out, pizza... You get the picture.
In warm weather stick it in the fridge for half an hour - it won’t lose aromas or flavors. Keep it on hand!
The world’s friendliest red wine. “World’s Best Wine Values”
Robert M. Parker, Jr.’s The Wine Advocate
"The Wine Spectator Ripe, dark fruit flavors dominate this medium- to full-bodied red, with lovely chocolate pudding notes and smoky elements on the finish. Drink now through 2007. 20,000 cases made." Score: 87. —Kim Marcus, August 31, 2005.
"The Wine Advocate Available in a 3-liter bag-in-a-box, the 2003 Cuvee de Pena reveals plum and blackberry aromas. Light to medium-bodied and silky-textured, this excellent value (3 liters for $20 comes out to $5 a bottle!) displays spicy dark fruits intermingled with hints of cedar in its expressive character. Drink it over the next year." Score: 86. —Pierre Rovani, June 2005.
Available at Bertelli's, Wine Outlet, and Berkley Wine Company.
Things to do, places to see, with food and booze
Just picked it up in Rochester NY at Marketwiew Liquor for $7.99! Great value.... will add to my favorites (along with my Chilean regulars!!
Posted by: dmw | 12/16/2011 at 23:38
Thanks for the link Jeff, glad you liked the wine.
Posted by: Peter Conway | 04/17/2011 at 08:19
What a lovely blog! Just linked you in a review I did of a Nashville restaurant.
Thanks for the great info on the Cuvee de Pena.
Posted by: Jeff Mac | 04/16/2011 at 16:30
And in the US. Here we have great prices on French wine. You evidently have a tough go in the UK when it comes to whine prices
Posted by: Mano a Vino | 08/13/2008 at 11:10
Under $10 is stupidly cheap for Cuvee de Pena! The only place you can seemingly get it that cheap is in France, picked up a gorgeous bottle of Chateau De Cuix Beaujolais for €3 (about $4). Came home, and saw the same bottle retail for £10 ($20!)
Posted by: Red Wine | 08/12/2008 at 11:30