Danzante Pinot Grigio 2007

This is a pleasant enough wine, with mild touches of tropical fruit and citrus, but I found it somewhat disappointing as it lacks the flintyness one associates with the variety. The sale price of $7.99 is attractive though, if you're just looking for something to sip on a lazy summer's day.

Bodega Septima Malbec 2007

This Argentine red is a nice everyday dinner wine. It comes on with a somewhat subdued blackberry and plum taste, accompanied by a strong hint of vanilla, rather than the more usual chocolate that is characteristic of the variety. Once again, this wine must breathe for a good while to be at its best. $8.99 on sale, which gets the price down to what is close to the national average. Might still improve in the bottle.

Alamos Malbec 2008

The Catena family of Argentina set out to create the equivalent of a French first growth from the Malbec grape. While they fell short of that lofty goal, they have grown a very pleasing everyday red, with a nice mix of dark berry and cherry, tempered by the chocolate characteristic of the variety, and oak, with a very even finish. My thanks to Marc at the Hummelstown store for calling this to my attention. $9.99, about average for this wine, but available on sale for two dollars less elsewhere.

Moulin de Vissandre 2007

This country wine from Languedoc has a pleasing taste combination of dark berries and plum, with just enough of a tannin finish to make it interesting. It is produced by a young woman, so listen up you feminists out there! $8.99.

Luzon 2007

Given the proviso that it has an hour to breathe (and this is essential), this Spanish red from Murcia in the extreme South, a blend of Shiraz and Monastrel, is a pleasing companion to red meats. It has a plentiful nose, a mix of dark berry and cherry tastes and a licorice/tannin finish that stops short of bitterness, but only if it has breathed sufficiently. $8.99, two dollars less in more fortunate states.

Vina Acered Tempranillo/Garnacha 2007

This young Spanish red from Calatayud is an honest country wine with no great pretensions. Once more we differed. My lovely table companion found it to be agreeable, with just enough spice to complement our green pepper and beef casserole. I thought that the dark chocolate note went over the line into bitterness. $6.99.

Campos Reales Tempranillo 2008

Although we usually agree on wines, my charming dinner companion and I were of two minds about this young Spanish red from La Mancha. She thought it unidimensional, with just too much of the earthiness typical of wines grown in hot, dry areas. I did not mind the very strong taste of black pepper, which is the dominant note, but eventually gives way to cherry and blueberry. $8.99, probably too much.

Santa Ana Torrontes 2007

This Argentine white is nicely light for summer drinking. It has a strong citrus taste, with some melon also perceptible; a distinctly peppery aftertaste. $6.99.

Chateau de Paillet Quancard 2005

This Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend, comes from an established vineyard which, however, seems to be going through a rough patch. The nose is all but absent, the Merlot element dominates, the dark berry taste is a bit vague and what is intended to be a cedary finish is all but overwhelmed by the tannins. Not a bad wine, certainly drinkable, but a disapointment for a 2005, a great year in Bordeaux. $11.99.