Astute observers of today’s wobbly wine market know that the wines selling best are those priced $20 and under. But price often isn’t enough to move bottles. A clever, creative idea–especially one tied to supporting a good cause–taps into the consumer’s need to save money while doing something good.
Such an idea was announced recently with the release of Budini wines. Although Budini may sound like a new Italian wine brand the name is, in fact, an acronym for Built Upon Dreams of Individuals Not Institutions, created by Ed Lehrman and Nick Ramkowsky, co-founders of Vine Connections, an importer of Argentine wines.
Vine Connections will set aside a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Budini Mendoza 2009 Chardonnay and Budini Mendoza 2009 Malbec, both priced at $13, to support the Dominio de Plata Scholarship Foundation, dedicated to providing education opportunities to winery worker families throughout Argentina. “Our donations will help students get an education, provide milk to local soup kitchens and even outfit a local soccer team,” says Lehrman.
Budini wines are made by Jose Lovaglio, a third generation winemaker from one of Mendoza’s noted winemaking families. Lovaglio, a graduate of UC-Davis, worked in China as a sommelier before returning to Argentina to start his winemaking career. His goal for Budini wines is “ripe fruit character, excellent structure with fine and perfectly matured tannins and to be affordably priced.”
Budini 2009 Mendoza Chardonnay, $13, is made from un-graf
ted 20-year-old vines, tank fermented, then aged in second-use French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks for three months. It smells like grapefruit rind but tastes more mineral with hints of tropical fruit and finishes dry at 13.5% alcohol. I re-tasted this wine a few times and couldn’t shake the impression that it was more like a mineral Sauvignon Blanc than a Chardonnay.
Budini 2009 Mendoza Malbec, $13, was sourced from a range of vineyards, tank fermented then aged in second use French and American oak barrels for nine months. Ripe berry and black cherry aromas and flavors are enhanced with mocha notes, fine low intensity tannins, 13.5% alcohol and a long juicy finish. This is a fruit-packed Malbec that is drinking nicely now.
Of the two wines, I prefer the Budini Malbec. It’s lush and fruity, yet with a nice tannin backbone, just the thing to stand up to barbecue ribs, hamburgers or even a grilled veggie patty. But anytime you can make a contribution to education and have your wine too, you’ve being offered a good buy.
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