Looking for Conundrum clone

[s_smurfette]

Hi there, I am just getting into wines and I've recently had the Conundrum which I thought was great but a bit pricey at $27-$32US for what it really is, a white table wine. What else is just as good that I can try? I've been told the Evolution No.9 from Oregon is similar, but I live in Canada and can't find it. Also, I'd like to try some reds as well, but not a fan of dry red wines...looking for something sweeter, with body, not too spicy or acidic. Thank you so much!

[Kcwhippet]

Check out a few reviews of the Evolution No. 9.

www.epinions.com/fddk-review-232-277E6C7-3918AA56-prod2

www.wineloverspage.com/wines/wt070399.shtml

[winoweenie]

Hi Smurfette and welcome to the board. FYI the Conundrum is not just a "white table wine" but Caymus vineyards blend of premium varietal grapes, there-fore the price. WW

[s_smurfette]

Thanks for the advice! I did check out the website and am quite surprised. I actually asked a guy at a wine store if he knew of anything that tasted similar to the Conundrum and this was the one he suggested. I guess what I wanted to do was to see if I would be able to taste the difference. So what is the whole thing about Caymus grapes? What other wines are worth tasting in the Caymus family?

[Botafogo]

Caymus would like you to believe (and pay for) the idea that they invented something with this wine. In fact, that sort of wine is the status quo in Friuli, a large region in NE Italy world famous for wonderfully aromatic and complex white wines. There are HUNDREDS of similar blends and many of them will be a lot less money.

[wondersofwine]

With Cabernet Sauvignon Caymus is known for the very pricy Special selection (are you ready to fork over around $120 per bottle?

[Thomas]

Ah, the power of good marketing...

[s_smurfette]

oh, $120 a bottle is a bit too steep for the amateur wine drinker. So Botafogo, which Italian wines would you recommend I try?

[Botafogo]

You should be able to find reliably good versions of Valpolicella Superiore (often Ripasso), Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Salice Salentino or other Puglian reds made from Negroamaro, Sicilian Nero d'Avola and more for under (maybe way under) $12 US (what is that now, $18 Canadien?).

Seek local counsel with a merchant you can trust.

[s_smurfette]

Thanks Botafogo! I will take that advice!