Liquid Assets: For holidays, some bargain crowd pleasers

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.

La Fiera Moscato: Not only sweet but effervescent, this peachy white is a super offering for the burgeoning crowd that loves muscat/moscato, and the perfect accompaniment for sugary dishes. Or try it with tangerine wedges. The 8.0 percent alcohol level is a plus at any time of year.

Columbia Crest "Two Vines" Merlot: Another "genre" that has been unfairly maligned of late, merlot finds especially good expression in Washington. This winery makes good merlot at several prices; the spicy, refreshing "Two Vines" is the entry level. Nice entry, guys.

Le Vieille Ferme Ventoux Rouge: I've been buying this wine for, oh, about a quarter century, and it never disappoints. The earthy, herby, dusty side makes it food-friendly, and the bright fruit makes it a tasty treat. The Blanc is pretty doggone swell, too.

Bogle California Petite Sirah: Not as masculine as most petite sirahs, especially on the nose, this perennial standout is still plenty robust. Its array of dark and brighter fruit notes makes it a natural for a locale that has a pretty long petite sirah season.

McManis California Pinot Noir: I'm cheating a bit here -- the SRP is $11 -- but this wine is superior to any pinot I've tried at this or any lower price point. Bright berries and some earthiness make it unmistakably pinot. For what it's worth, you could do worse for an entire gathering than to buy McManis' array of bargain varietals.

Bill Ward • bill.ward@startribune.com