So the next time you have tickets to the UGC tasting, or Zap, or just find yourself at a winery where the genial host of the tasting room keeps bringing out bottles, here are four suggestions to make it more pleasure and less work.

1) Spit
No really, you really should use the spit buckets. If you’re swallowing from the first “taste” onward, how seriously are you evaluating anything much past wine number three? Even when you do spit, your palate will be sufficiently fatigued that you might want to be wary of how much you loved the next-to-last wine you tried. The only exception to this is Champagne – I still haven’t figured a way to gracefully expectorate bubbly.

2) Move
This applies particularly to tastings like Zap, where trying to follow tip #1 is hampered by someone planted in front of the spit bucket regaling the pourer with tales of their visit to the winery back in the early ‘90s. It still surprises me at trade tastings when people take root in front of a table, blocking access to the spit bucket(s) and the wine(s) being poured.

3) Ignore the numbers
Just because the tables are numbered, don’t feel obligated to do them “in order.” Quite often I’ve done tastings in “reverse” order, trying reds before whites, because the tables pouring reds were open while all the white tables were packed with attendees tasting by numbers.

4) Be brief
If you take notes, remember tip #2 – jot down your musings away from the table. And make them brief, most tastings are 2-3 hours so if you’re busy writing down all the flavor elements you find what percentage of the wines offered will you actually taste? A simple 1, 2, 3 stars is adequate – elaborate after the tasting closes down with a bite to eat and a palate-cleansing beer.

Keeping all this in mind, here are a few highlights, all for under $25, from our recent “work” tasting wines:

2012 Origine Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($15.99)

2011 Textbook Napa Valley Chardonnay ($17.99)

2011 Ostertag Vieilles Vignes Sylvaner ($19.99)

2011 Cantina Altarocca “Arcosesto” ($14.99)

2010 Domaine Berthet Rayne Cairanne ($19.99)

2010 Abbona “Bricco Barone” Nebbiolo d’Alba ($24.99)

Matt S., Beltramo’s Assistant Manager

So, you say, I like Nebbiolo too, but those big tannic Barolos and Barbarescos need plenty of time to come around, not to mention they are usually on the fairly pricey side.  Yes, you are mostly right on both counts and that’s why a number of producers bottle a Nebbiolo that’s for earlier drinking and easier on the pocketbook.  This is very fortunate for us and the winemakers as well, since they certainly like to drink their Nebbiolos too!

Here are some very affordable and excellent Nebbiolos to enhance your Fall Season dinners.  By the way, the Piemontese name, Nebbiolo, comes from the word nebbia, or fog, which often appears during the Fall months at the bottom of the steep vine covered hills.

2008 Giovanni Almondo Nebbiolo – Roero DOCG  ($17.99):  From the Roero region north of Alba across from the Tanaro river, this wine displays classic red fruits, Asian spice, slight earthiness and good lift from its bright, fresh acidity.  Try with roasted chicken, turkey, pheasant or grilled tuna.

2008 Cornarea Nebbiolo – Roero DOCG ($24.99):  Also from the Roero region,with a similar flavor profile as the Almondo, this wine has a broader texture, density and weight, and a bit more complexity than the Almondo.   Try with lamb chops or sausages.

2008 Ca’Rossa “Audinaggio” Nebbiolo – Roero DOCG  ($34.99): A very fine example of how good Roero Nebbiolo can be, this beautiful wine displays richness and elegance.  Cherries, flowers and spice combine to create an intriguing bouquet that leads to a round and smooth long finish.  Try with pork chops and rosemary or filet.

2008 Angelo Germano Nebbiolo – Langhe DOC ($21.99): From the Langhe, the region south and east of the Tanaro river, this Nebbiolo displays red fruits, spice and a touch of tobacco and earth.  Medium bodied, the wine unfolds nicely in the glass, gaining more nuance and complexity.  Have with grilled Portobello mushrooms or game.

Gary M., Beltramo’s Wine Consultant

The winery is located in the Valtellina region, located at the base of the pre-Alps on Italy’s border with Switzerland. Steep, nearly vertical vineyards make for an extremely challenging terroir to work with to say the least.

The 2008 ‘Quadrio’ Valtellina Superiore ($19.99) is a ‘must buy’ for connoisseurs and neophytes alike. Hints of smoke, floral and digestivo notes in the aromas. The palate has spot on Nebbiolo flavors of dried fruits and flowers. The small addition of Merlot certainly adds an attractive textural component to this overachiever. For a few dollars more, the 2008 ‘Inferno’ bottling ($24.99) made from 100% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) is worth you attention as well. A ‘wow’ wine for Its  classic rose petal ,tar and cola like spice aromas and flavors. Refined with almost seamless tannins.

Howard Padgett, Imported Wine Buyer