It's the most wine-derful time of the year, the holiday months when Americans buy -- and presumably consume -- more fermented grape juice than in any other season.
A lot of that is about entertaining, which means that at no time are we more on the lookout for bottles that will please our guests without hammering our wallets. Based on my sampling experience -- and believe me, I kiss a lot of frogs in search of princely bargains -- here are some dandy options for around $10.
I say "around" because although these wines have SRPs (suggested retail prices) of $10 or less, what you pay can vary due to a store's markups and/or sales. Also keep in mind that while few stores will have all of these wines, most retail outlets should have some of them. You can always ask a merchant to bring in anything they don't have, and a good wine-monger should be able to steer you to a similar wine at the same price point.
Here are nine wines that deliver well beyond their "around $10" price tags:
El Coto Rioja White: A summery wine for a cold winter's night, this multi-fruit-flavored white made from the viura grape is a marvelous palate cleanser. Bonus points for being a super base for white sangria.
Santa Rita 120 Sauvignon Blanc: The only problem with this crisp, refreshing white is that it's almost too quaffable. It's a simple pleasure that doesn't ask much of us, and at holiday gatherings that's a real positive.
Jacob's Creek South Eastern Australian Chardonnay: Aussie wine seems to have fallen off a lot of wine drinkers' radar, and that's downright silly. There's a lot of good juice coming from Down Under, including this vibrant rendition of America's favorite white grape. It's fun to just stand around and smell, too.
Pacific Rim Riesling: Soft and pretty, here is proof positive that Central Europe has no monopoly on the super-tasty riesling grape. This is a semi-dry rendition; there's also one labeled "Sweet." Both pair beautifully with most of the nibbles, sweet or savory, served at seasonal soirees.
