Best Values
Although the Gallo line of table wines, Hearty Burgundy, Classic Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot in the 1.5 liter bottles is a great value --- good quality, great tasting, robust wines - they may not meet your taste requirements all the time. Here are some other wines that, while priced in the very affordable range, are great tasting, quality wines. 

Under $10

1997 Laurel Glen "REDS," California -- $6.50: To quote Patrick, "REDS is a wine for the proletariat." Works for me! Like its previous incarnations, the '97 REDS is a juicy mouthful of ripe, plummy fruit. Also available in three-liter double magnums while supplies last.

1998 Sokol Blosser White Riesling, Oregon -- $7.95: Hankering for an off-dry, light-bodied, charming white with flavors that suggest peach, apricot, citrus and ripe pear? What are you waiting for?

Virtual Vineyards "The Red Less Traveled"-- $8.95: This supple, slurpable red is the first wine released under our own Virtual Vineyards label. It delivers immediate pleasure, and is soft enough even to appeal to folks who don't normally enjoy red wine. 1,200 cases produced.

1997 Santa Lucia Castel del Monte Rosso, Santa Lucia-- $9.50: A sappy, youthful red from the Apulia region of southern Italy. Lots of Bang for the Buck! 2400 cases produced.

1997 Blackstone Winery Merlot, California -- $9.95: Just a few slurps of this supple and juicy red and you will see why Blackstone has become one of the nation's best sellers in the Merlot category. Big Bang for the Buck!

1998 Laurel Glen "Terra Rosa" Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle Central, Chile -- $9.95: A delicious Chilean Cabernet at under $10, with 3-5 years of cellaring potential to boot. Also available in magnums while supplies last.

$10 to $20

1998 Easton Zinfandel, Amador County -- $12.00: An appealing young Zin with juicy raspberry and cherry fruit--perfect for current consumption.

1997 Virtual Vineyards Syrah, Napa Valley -- $14.50: Ripe blackberry and plum flavors in a hearty, medium to full-bodied Syrah. A Virtual Vineyards exclusive with a production of 1175 cases. Enjoy now or cellar for 5-7 years.

1997 Chateau Gaillard Touraine-Mesland Rouge, Les Vieilles Vignes, Loire, France-- $16.00: A lively spicy red from the Loire Valley that will go with pizza, burgers, or Chateaubriand. It is elegant enough for a fine meal and friendly enough for dining in jeans. Organically grown. Excellent value.

1997 Cinnabar "Mercury Rising" Red, California -- $16.00: Mercury Rising, the proprietary name for Cinnabar's proprietary red wine (formerly known as Xcellance), is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah and Petite Verdot. As the name suggests, this is a 'hot' newcomer that delivers a lot of bang for the buck. 1,700 cases made.

1997 Edmunds St. John "Rocks And Gravel" California Red Wines-- $18.00: 'Rocks and Gravel' is Steve Edmunds' tasty blended red inspired by the wines of Provence in Southern France. Stunning.

1996 Buttonwood Farm Merlot, Santa Ynez Valley -- $18.00: Buttonwood's '96 is ripe, supple and appealing - the complete Merlot package. 89.7% Merlot 10.3% Cabernet Franc. 1,767 cases produced.

$20 and Up

1997 Schuetz Oles Vesuvium, Napa Valley -- $25.00: Very deep, dark and complex blend of Zinfandel and Cabernet. Rich berry flavors and earthy notes with lots of spicy intensity and firm tanins. This is a wine that will stand up to any grilled, smoky meats. Great now and will continue to improve for 5 to 7 years. Only 514 cases produced.

1996 Lynmar "Quail Hill Vineyard" Chardonnay, Russian River Valley-- $26.00: If you have ever doubted that California Chardonnays can get more interesting with a few years in the cellar, this Lynmar Chardonnay will change your mind.

1995 Robert Sinskey RSV Reserve Merlot, Los Carneros - Napa Valley-- $34.00: This is the best Merlot, in our opinion, that Sinskey has ever made, and one of the most complex and interesting Merlots produced in California. Blended with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. 2400 case production.

1996 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia-- $60.00: A stunning Chardonnay from the far reaches of Western Australia, and a wine that delivers the complexity, intensity and length of fine white Burgundy. Take your time with this beauty, and don't allow it to get too cold; it will be at its best somewhere between refrigerator and room temperatures.