Misterio Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Another entry level wine from Argentina's Finca Flichman, a famous winery now owned by a Portuguese combine. Allowed at least an hour to breathe, this is a hearty red with good plum and dark berry flavors, pronounced tannins and a somewhat acerbic finish, not quite bitter but almost. $6.99.

Martinborough Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Neither of us much liked this New Zealand white. It's completely atypical for a Sauvignon Blanc, going in the direction of a Chardonnay, with overtones of passion fruit and none of the newly mown grass zing one expects from the region. At $12.99, badly ovedrpriced.

Placido Chianti 2008

This is an uncomplicated, somewhat fruity Italian, with dark cherry predominating and some acidity at the finish. Run of the mill but drinkable. $6.99.

Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles 2008

This white Cotes du Rhone is reserved, almost to the point of being austere. It's only after a period of warming in the glass that any fruit flavors manifest themselves, and the finish is curious, I was reminded of artichoke. $10.99, way overpriced, available for three dollars less in N.Y.

Codorniu Brut

As we had a reason to celebrate, we opened this Spanish non vintage cava last night. It rewarded us with a generous mousse and a nice, almost buttery apple flavor. Not exactly a brut, but eminently drinkable. $9.99, about average for the region.

Paso a Paso Tempranillo 2009

A nice Spanish red from La Mancha, which is aged in oak for six months. After due airing, it opens up nicely with dark cherry flavors along with a slightly honeyed character. A simple but good country wine which, at $9.99, is however badly overpriced. Can be bought for as much as three dollars less elsewhere.

Ombu Chardonnay 2009

This unoaked, heavily fruited Chardonnay from Argentina's Mendoza Valley resembles a California wine and accordingly will please those who like that sort of thing. It's certainly not bad, but too simplistic for our taste. $8.99.

Coopers Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2009

This New Zealand white is full bodied, with elements of nectarine and melon and the traditional new mown grass flavor. It has a nice, steady finish and stood up well to our curried Tilapia. $9.99, available for two dollars less in N.J.

Cougar Crest Viognier 2007

This is a rich, full bodied, unoaked white from Washington State. It's well fruited, with elements of pear and pineapple discernible, and a honeyed finish which stops well short of coming across as sweet. A nice, direct wine and, for unfathomable reasons, at $9.99, priced well below the national average.

Vina Antigua Malbec/Bonarda 2008

I admit to having never met a red from Argentina I've not liked, and so it is with this one. There's a nice blend of dark berries with some earthiness and a hint of chocolate before the acidic finish. It will stand up to most anything. However, as is so often the case here, much overpriced at $8.99.

Falesco Est!Est!Est! 2009

In the year 1111 a German bishop, Johann Fugger, was journeying to Rome. Being a great wine lover he ordered his cupbearer, one Martin, to scout out the route a day ahead of the party and to write "Est"! (short for "Here there's good wine" on the doors of whatever inns had such on offer. One day (it would be nice to think that was on 11/11/1111) Martin came to Montefiascone, north of Rome, and so delighted in the local wine that he wrote the code word in triplicate. To my mind what this story tells us is that the whites of that day must not have amounted to much. What we have here is a quite pleasant but not particularly distinguished quaff with apple and citrus flavors and some spice at the finish. $9.99, which, mirabile dictu, is the lowest price I found for it.