Fiat Vino

$12 grab at Bristol Farms (already chilled). Not overly oaked or buttery, really the opposite of that. 12.5% alcohol. Some sour green apple, dry, crisp, good acidic zip. A good chardonnay for people who have tried Cali chardonnay's and been turn off. Had with stuffed salmon. I liked it a lot (both the wine and the salmon). Gonna explore some more cheap French wine.

Johannesburg Rieslings from Germany were my parents' favorite wines because they were cheap and sweet. With this ingrained in my head I had little hope for this wine, despite being a WS top 10 pick and well less than $20.... but it was fantastic! Crisp. Not overly sweet. Nice acid. A+

Great Chard. Apple, pear flavors. Toasted oak but not overdone. Lingering finish, good minerality. Lovely bottle.

Got this as part of my short-lived membership to Foxen's Compass Club. I canceled after I realized I could get most of the wines at the grocery store for cheaper than I was paying. I digress... More body than your typical SB. Sour apple, toasty. Hints of guava but less tropical fruits than my preference. Not overly dry or crisp. Ripe. Solid, enjoyable, but not sure I'd buy again at this price. Papawow is doing better with his southern hemisphere finds.

Calera Viognier Mt. Harlan Vineyard 2009 Cost: $26 I'm not a big Viognier drinker but this is a solid white wine. Had it with some crab legs on Christmas eve and it seemed well paired. I learned about Calera because of their Pinots but had to try this wine; who can pass up a wine described as "fruit loops"! Rated 94pts. Bouquet of tropical fruit, has the minerality expected from a limestone vineyard. Not much in my experience to compare it to but me likey.