• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

Like the 2006 Roogle Red (a delicious three-grape blend of Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon), the 2006 Roogle Shiraz was rated 90 points by Parker and only cost me $10. This wine is from South Eastern Australia, and like most Shiraz from the area, it is inky, concentrated, and powerful. Kept in seasoned French and American oak for 12 months, the Roogle Shiraz is medium-full bodied, with less tannins and acid than the Roogle Red. Aromas of blueberry, blackberry, and a touch of chocolate make this a great cocktail and contemplation wine. ($10)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

I picked this wine up today from the store because I saw it was rated 90 points by Mr. Robert Parker, and why would anyone pass up a 90-pt Parker $10 wine — whether you like his taste or not. And I have to say, I liked this wine very much. The South Eastern Australian 2006 Roogle Red is 50% Shiraz, 30% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and it is aged in seasoned French and American oak for 12 months. Roogle Red is medium-full bodied, with dark but not super-ripe fruit, and healthy tannins and acid. This wine is from R Wines (of Dan Philips and Chris Ringland), which includes labels such as 3 Rings, Roogle, Evil, and Bitch. Buy this wine if you see it, or maybe pick up a half-case. ($9-10)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

This is my favorite wine that I can get for $7 in multiple places around town. Made with 85% Castelao, 7.5% Tempranillo, and 7.5% Syrah, it is a great table and food wine with enough acid to pair with many types of dishes. Red fruit prevails in the nose and mouth. This wine is simple, but pleasant and drinkable, especially for the money. ($7-8)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

Pascual Toso is becoming one of my go-to wineries from Argentina. The Pascual Toso 2006 Malbec we reviewed earlier is truly one of the wine bargains of the summer. This reserve Cabernet is also a bottle worth hunting down. The wine is a dark cherry color with a nose full of cherry, plum, and cassis, with a little coffee and mint thrown in for good measure. In the mouth, this is a medium bodied wine with plenty of fine grain tannins. The red fruit and sweet oak ride for a long finish. ($13-15)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: bold
• Look for at: wine.com

This cocktail and contemplation wine from the Colchagua Valley in Chile is a monster. In the glass, the wine is inky and extracted. The nose offers dried fruit, some spice, and coffee. The dark fruit, plums, and cherry are set in a sea of fine grained tannins. The long finish is just what you would expect from this concentrated wine, which does not easily pare well with food. The size of this wine will keep all but grilled steak or lamb chops at bay. If you like Aussie Shiraz, be sure to pick up this wine — you get all the extracted fruit and stick-to-your-teeth feel, but at a fraction of the normal price. ($13-18)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: smooth
• Look for at: wine.com

Sideways did a lot to discourage Merlot sales, but this 2005 from Medoc might help folks get over their Merlot anxiety. Made from 50% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12% Cabernet Franc, this wine offers a nose of spiced cherries and cassis. In the glass, the dark red fruit is supported by an ample structure of fine grained tannin. Drink this wine tonight or hold it for a year or two to see what the 2005 vintage was all about. This wine is an inexpensive way to try a great vintage. ($17-22)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: crisp
• Look for at: wine.com

I like the wines from Felton Road. Their 2007 Riesling is a light drink with only 10% alcohol. Fresh out of the bottle, the nose showed a little cheese that faded with air time. Once the wine had opened up, the nose offered green apple, kiwi fruit, and a little honeyed spice. In the mouth, the slightly off-dry wine showed honey and green apple, with a long finish. ($10-15)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: fruity and earthy
• Look for at: wine.com

Our first fruity and earthy wine, you can tell this wine from the south of France was made for the American market, because it lists the varietal on the label. You can also tell by the taste profile. This Pinot is about as fruit-forward as a French winemaker can go. The unripe red fruit struggle against a little eggplant in the nose, but this passes with a little air time. Unripe red fruit, supported by soft tannins, give the ’06 a nice and drinkable character. The wine has plenty of acid to pair with red meat or pork. ($11-13)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: sparkling
• Look for at: wine.com

I picked up this wine at K&L Liquors in San Francisco, where it is a staff selection, and I can see why. We tried the Ariston along side a special cuvee from Bollinger. The Bollinger managed to surpass the Ariston by a nose, but at half the price, I would recommend you get two bottles of the Ariston. In the glass, the Ariston is fresh and crisp with a medium-fine mousse and a touch of chocolate on the end. This is a great aperitif, and it also goes very nicely with a summer’s afternoon in Golden Gate Park. ($27)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: soft
• Look for at: wine.com

This big rosé from the Carinena region of Spain is no wimp. Composed of 50% Cabernet and 50% Tempranillo, this rosé has muscle. The must was allowed 12 hours of contact time with the skin before it was drawn off, giving the wine a deep strawberry color. The nose shows rich strawberries with floral overtones. In the mouth, the wine is full, with plenty of structure and a long finish. Parker gave this wine a 90, which I think is a bit high, but this is a great value nonetheless. I would pair this Rosé with pork or even a grilled hamburger. ($7.5-10)