Pasqua Villa Borghetti Metodo 2010 Passimento Rosso Veneto IGT From Veneto, Italy

This red blend is very drinkable: a non-descript Italian wine that has no standout flavors, but is pleasantly acidic and refined. At $14 or less per bottle, this is a good value.

Paid $13.99 at Petzinger's

Fournier Pere & Fils 2007 Sancerre Les Belles Vignes Rouge From Loire, France

This Pinot Noir is from the Loire Valley, which seems uncommon (only 20% of wines from the area are red). Despite its age, the wine was a delicate red. This pinot noir struck me as a cross between a Sangiovese and a Sauvignon Blanc: earthy and acidic with a somewhat tart finish (and totally unlike U.S. pinot noir). I could drink this wine with or without food, but it is not for everyone.

Paid: $15.99 at Sherry-Lehmann

Beringer Vineyards 2010 Founders' Estate Pinot Noir From California, USA

This is a great Pinot Noir, though I'm struggling to find adjectives to describe it. The wine is aromatic: somewhat floral and perfumey. And it has a beautiful taste, but no individual flavor stands out. Put simply, this is a good, inexpensive red wine. A lot of fun to drink.

Paid $10.99 at Petzinger's in Brooklyn

Georges Duboeuf 2010 Chiroubles From Beaujolais, France

This is the best Georges Duboeuf wine that I've had. It is unlike the Gamay wines that you'd normally associate (stereotype) with Beaujolais. This Red Burgundy is aromatic, almost scented like berries and cream, and tastes of plum, berries and licorice. The price is very reasonable and this wine can be drunk with or without food.

Paid $12.50 at Sherry-Lehmann

Zardetto NV Prosecco di Treviso Brut From Veneto, Italy

This is an excellent Prosecco. We find it superior to Mionetto varieties and it can be purchased at desirable prices. Like most Prosecco, this is best drank before a meal (it can't hold up to hearty foods like a Champagne can), but is perfect for a toast or appetizers.

Paid $9.99 at Sherry-Lehmann

Santero Villa Jolanda NV Asti Spumante DOCG From Piedmont, Italy

This Asti Spumante is very enjoyable unlike the others I've had, which are repulsively sweet. We received this in a gift basket, apparently it can be purchased for $10 or less -- a great deal. Comparable to a good Prosecco and perfect for a toast.

Kerner Estate 2011 Sauvignon Blanc From Marlborough, New Zealand

This Sauvignon Blanc is more distinctive than others from Marlborough, New Zealand, but not better. The wine is acidic and has a citrus finish, almost like a lime rind, which can be disconcerting. It's a perfectly good-if-not overpriced, wine. We prefer Babich Family Estates 2011 Sauvignon Blanc which costs considerably less.

Paid: $21.00 at Chamber's Street Wines via the Marcus Friday Wine Club

Babich Family Estates 2011 Sauvignon Blanc From Marlborough, New Zealand

Sauvignon Blancs From Marlborough County, New Zealand are usually aromatic and taste like tropical fruits: This wine is no exception. In fact, this wine is a shining example of great Sauvignon Blanc from the region; better than both the Monkey Bay 2011 Sauvignon Blanc and the Starborough 2011 Sauvignon Blanc. I'm adding this wine to our favorites list and removing Monkey Bay as they are similarly priced.

Paid $11.99 From Sherry-Lehmann

Monastero Suore Cistercensi 2010 Coenobium Rusticum Lazio IGT From Lazio, Italy

This White Blend is made from Malvasia, Trebbiano and Verdiccio; and it is made by a monastery of nuns in Lazio. This is a strange wine and isn't for everyone (though I enjoyed it). It's a cloudy, deep-colored yellow. Allowing my imagination to run wild for a moment, it seems like a bottle recovered from a shipwreck -- kind of musty on the nose (an old, wooden smell) and a gun-flinty Granny-Smith apple taste that is strange, but in a way, pleasant. This wine is old and Earthy (despite being young) and is unlike any other white wine that I've had.

Paid $21.50 at Chamber's Street Wine via the Marcus Friday Wine Club

Allegrini 2011 Valpolicella From Veneto, Italy

My first thought when drinking this Valpolicella is that it reminded me of a good "house wine" that you might get in a restaurant in Italy. My second thought is that it reminded me of a George Duboeuf Fleurie Beaujolais. This is a super-drinkable red to have with or without food. Worth buying at a decent price.

Paid $14.99 at Sherry-Lehmann

Bodegas Faustino VII 2007 Rioja From Spain

I drank this Rioja with no prior knowledge of its cost. It struck me as an intense, raisinated wine with a strong bouquet and a pleasant finish. In fact, I enjoyed it more than the Chateau Larose 2005 Trintaudon Bordeaux which we enjoyed during the same meal. Turns out this was a $10 bottle. Amazing. I'd put this in a comparable category with some (lower-priced) Amarone Della Valpolicella that I've had.

Paid $10.99 at Petzinger's in Brooklyn

Chateau Larose 2005 Trintaudon Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois Superieur From Haut-Medoc, France

I was attracted to this Bordeaux after my wonderful experience with Chateau D’Arche 2005 Cru Bourgeois Superieur From Haut-Medoc, France (one of my all-time favorites ... I was hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, twice). This wine lacked the body and the finish of the D'Arche, but was an enjoyable Bordeaux that seemed perfectly priced (but offered no real value). Worth buying again.

Paid $20.99 at Petzinger's in Brooklyn

Francois Pinon NV Vouvray Petillant Brut From Loire, France

I love this Vouvray (Chenin Blanc), it reminds me of a vintage Champagne: bold and tart with a taste of granny-smith apple. This is a unique sparkling wine at a reasonable price. Very fun.

Paid $20.99 at Chambers Street Wines via the Marcus Friday Wine Club

Laurent Barth 2010 Gewurztraminer Vieilles Vignes From Alsace, France

This Gewurztraminer is floral and aromatic and it reminds me of a Rose Water cocktail. The wine is sweet (but full bodied) and requires food: I'm guessing that Indian dishes would pair well. We tried this wine with Miso soup and an assortment of sushi rolls. The pairing was acceptable, but not great. All told, this wine is probably too sweet to enjoy as a "drinking" wine, and likely requires specific foods to realize its full potential. It almost strikes me as an acceptable desert wine.

Paid $21.99 at Chambers Street Wines via the Marcus Friday Wine Club

Robert Mondavi Winery 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon From California, USA

You really can't say anything is wrong with this Cabernet Sauvignon, but there are better offerings at the same price point (like the Concha y Toro 2009 'Marques de Casa Concha' Cabernet Sauvignon from Puente Alto, Chile). I'm generally not a believer in letting wine "breathe" for any extended period, but this wine was at its best after an hour in the decanter (at first open, the wine was "tight," only revealing tannins and little of the fruit which became apparent -- but subdued -- later on). A totally competent wine that I'd always be happy to drink, but probably wouldn't buy again.

Paid $20.99 at Petzinger's

Cupcake Vineyards NV Sparkling Prosecco From Veneto, Italy

This is a totally acceptable Prosecco at a good price. This Prosecco is more effervescent than a comparably priced Mionetto and is well-balanced, but is sweeter than we would like.

Paid $11.99 at Petzinger's