Altos Los Hormigas Malbec 2008

This is a nice, well balanced Argentine red, with the expected blend of cherry, red berry and chocolate. It's lighter than most Malbecs but still mounts a fairly strong finish. The price, $11.99, is no great bargain, it's available for two dollars less in neighboring states.

Walden Crest Pinot Grigio 2008

Alright, this is a mass production item, but unlike this winery's other products which are strictly California, it's grown in Italy. It's hardly very substantial but it's nice and light, with citrus and melon notes and noticeable but not unpleasant tannins. If you have to provide for the multitudes at some official function, this beats the plonk that's usually served on such occasions and, at the sale price of $9.99 for the magnum, will hardly break the bank.

Alta Vista Premium Malbec 2007

This red is the middle of the line product from this Argentine winery, being aged six months in oak. It's on the light side for a Malbec, tastes of cherry and red currants, with the usual element of chocolate. The price, $9.99, is about average for this wine, which can be found on sale elsewhere for two dollars less, but also for much more.

Fontana Candida Pinot Grigio 2007

Alright, this is a mass produced wine from the Banfi combine, but if you're looking for an inexpensive white to serve at an office party, or just to sip on a weekday evening before dinner, this might be your thing. It's light, tastes of citrus, with a flinty note, so that you at least get some impression of what Pinot Grigio is about. The sale price of $11.99 for the magnum bottle makes it an attractive buy.

Fuente Milano Verdejo/Viura 2008

This white from Rueja in NW Castille is a blend of two indigenous Spanish grapes, the latter being more usually turned into sparkling wines. It has a nice, fresh presence and tates of citrus and apple. It makes an excellent accompaniment to more assertive foods requiring a white wine, such as a curry. The price, $8.99, is alright.

Goats in Villages Shiraz/Pinotage 2007

Speaking of cute names... My cdc and I differ on this, mostly Shiraz, South African red. She found it pleasantly robust, with strong red fruit and oak flavors, with just enough acidity to make it interesting. While I concede those points, I thought that the tannins were sufficiently undeveloped to create an almost gritty taste. Perhaps a year or two in the bottle will take care of that. Anyway, at the sale price of $8.99 you might want to try a bottle.

Pillar Box White 2007

This South Australian attempts to find a niche for itself at the lower end of the price scale. It is light, with apple amd citrus flavors, and a touch of butterscotch that not everyone will like. Still, at $6.99, you might give it a try.

Layer Cake Malbec 2007

I'm leery of wines with cute names and this one, so to speak, takes the cake. Still, this Argentine red is a nice enough wine. It exhibits the usual plum, dark berry and chocolate to be found in Malbecs grown in the Mendoza valley, along with an element of spice. The only thing to be held against it is a slight, not entirely pleasant, hint of break-up in the aftertaste. But, at the present sale price of $8.99, a good value.

Anciano Tempranillo Reserva 2003

This Valdepenas red, from the very south of La Mancha, comes wrapped in gold wire. The story goes that an 18th century Spanish grandee was almost killed with poison that had been introduced into a bottle of the local wine. Upon recovering, he ordered that henceforth all products of the region be so wrapped to prevent their adulteration. This particular bottle has been aged in oak for five years, but it needs at least an hour if not more of breathing to release its red berry, vanilla and oak flavors. While pleasant enough, it's not particularly distinguished. $8.99.