Grotta del Sole Piedirosso 2010

A red from Campania in the vicinity of Naples, this is not a wine that fits easily in the major Italian categories. It has neither the laid back distinction of a good Tuscan, nor the up front fruitiness of a lot of wines from the south of the Peninsula. It's on the light side, rather like a Beaujolais, but with less fruit and more in the way of soft tannins, and the merest hint of fizzyness. While it lacks depth, it's nevertheless a very pleasant drink. On sale at $9.99, certainly a very good price for it.

Dubakella Six and Eleven 2011/2006

Here we have a real curiosity: a blend of 68% Grenache from OR and 32% Pinot Noir from CA. The result is a fairly light red tha reminded us of a Beaujolais, with black cherry and plum flavors and a reasonably acid finish. A very pleasant wine. The sale price of $9.99  is just about unbeatable.

Vigne Mastre Dardo San Giovese 2009

Sourced from various vineyards in Tuscany, this red blend delivers a very pleasing mix of red cherry and strawberry flavors, with a slight tang of licorice in the finish. In Italy it's available real cheap, but over here the sale price of $11.99 constitutes a bargain.

Bonny Doone My Favorite Rousanne 2010

First of all, this wine could well do without all the CA hoopla that goes into its marketing: it can stand on its own two feet. A white from Santa Cruz, it's made from a grape that, in its native Rhone valley, is mainly used to blend in with other better known white varieties. In CA it's commonly used on its own and, like in other warm climates, it produces a wine that tends toward the semi sweet, with elements of ripe pear, quince and melon. Very much a taste all its own, and not uninteresting. On sale at $9.99, which i about as cheap as you'll get it.

Santerra White 2009

This CA white blend from Sonoma is on the semi sweet side, with ripe apple and pieapple elements. It's clearly near the end of its useful life, which accounts for its sale price of $6.99. If that's the kind of white you enjoy, this is a bargain.

Impero Bruno Zona 2012

The PLCB is touting this young Italian Salento red as the equivalent of a Beaujolais Nouveau. Actually, while it doesn't have the immediacy of the latter, it has more depth and boldness. There are red berry flavors, along with a distinct acidity in the finish. On sale for $7.99, which makes it an attractive buy.

Les Lys Vouvrai 2011

Vouvray is a designation in the Tours region of the Loire. It specialises in dessert and demi sec wines. This one falls into the latter category. It doesn't cross the line into "too sweet", but rather delivers a nice, soft blend of ripe apple and quince. A good wine with sea food. $10.99.