[BigOlChiefsfan]

I try to keep most wine purchases under $20, only splurging big on Rhone wines in great years. If you're buying, Hermitage or Chateauneuf du Pape from Beaucastel, Vieux Telegraphe, etc...they all suit me fine. (Actually, I buy a lot of Cotes du Rhone villages and St. Joseph with MY money)

For a day in, day out red let me recommend Laurel Glen's REDS. A 'field blend' of old vine Zinfandel, Carignan, Petit Syrah and sometimes a few other grapes. No matter the year's blend, it's always a great bottle of red wine and always a bargain ($8 here in KC). Great with food, grill some chicken or burgers and/or make some pasta and give it a try.

For a little more money - try the various 'Cru' beaujolais. Some of the best made wine - for the money - you'll find. Even in so-called great years these sell for $15 or less. I buy Broilly and Morgan by choice, but I'm pretty easy going with decent Booj. Skip the Beaujolais Nouveau, stick with Boujolais-Villages or the Cru grade. Poor man's Burgundy.

I drink a lot of dry pink wine from Spain, Garnacha (Grenache) from Navara mostly. $6-8 bargains. Cook something with lots of garlic and give one a try.

My favorite white wine for the money is Bonny Doon's Pacific Rim Riesling. Dry, goes great with food from shrimp to chicken. German and Alsatian Riesling is my 'next step up', and if you haven't tried good German or Alsatian wines...2 thumbs up.

Dessert wines - I go with Tawny Port or Muscatel from Australia most of the time. Their so-called 'Stickies' are great and great bargains. Some of the fancier sweet Rieslings now and then.