Plonkapalooza

Wines evaluated, in order of tasting. Comments appear for wines that received at least one vote (taster's initials follow).To buy any of these, check with your local wine shop.

Whites

1. 2007 Saint-Peyre Picpoul de Pinet Coteaux du Languedoc (France). Around $10.

2. 2007 Hugues Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet Coteaux du Languedoc (France). Around $12. Lush mouth feel with lots of stone fruit and nice acid structure. -KC

3. 2007 Casa de Vila Verde Vinho Verde (Portugal). Around $8.

4. 2007 Domaine la Haute Fevrie Muscadet de Sevre et Maine (France). Around $12.

5. 2007 Casa Liliana "Good" IGT Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio (Italy). Around $12. Bit more body than one expects; crisp, apple-like fruit and some welcome minerality. -SM

6. 2006 Kremser Weinzierl Gruner Veltliner (Austria). Around $12. Hints of apple core and white pepper with spice at the finish. Tasty! -KC

7. 2007 Domaine d'Espérance "Cuvée d'Or" Vin de Pays des Landes (France). Around $12. Guava and passion fruit nose; not vivid, or heavy, but attractive. -CS

8. 2007 Willm Alsace Pinot Blanc Reserve (France). Around $12. Nice fresh, ripe aromatics; pears and notes of citrus; acid in balance. This wine delivers. -NB

9. 2007 San Silvestro "Adelasia" Piemonte Cortese (Italy). Around $12.

10. 2007 Hermanos del Villar "Ipsum" Rueda (Spain). Around $12.

11. 2007 Vignamarco Orvieto (Italy). Around $11. Huge pop in the mouth; pear and limestone as it opens up. Quality sipping. -KC

12. 2007 Les Vignerons d'Estezargues Cotes du Rhone Blanc (France). Around $45 (3-liter box).

13. 2008 Jelu Mendoza Torrontes (Argentina). Around $12.

14. 2007 Falesco EST! EST!! EST!!! di Montefiascone (Italy). Around $10. Pleasantly crisp pear-like fruit; juicy, fresh, appealing. -SM

15. 2007 The Wishing Tree Unoaked Chardonnay (Australia). Around $10. Not too assertive but refreshing and likable with simple, honest flavors. -CS

16. 2006 Sant'Angelo, IGT Salento Malvasia Bianca (Italy). Around $12.

17. 2007 Fontaleoni Vernaccia di San Gimignano (Italy). Around $10. White pepper and spice notes with an appealing savoriness. Lovely midweight wine. -CS

18. 2006 Blondeau Vin de Pays du Jardin de la France Sauvignon Blanc (France). Around $10. Subtle, sweet green pear, slight citrus zest, delicate and fresh. I like this! -NB

19. 2007 "Adega de Pegões" Vinho Regional Terras do Sado Bianco (Portugal). Around $7. Bright, juicy, and crisp orchard fruits profile; vivid acidity; some definition and length. -SM

20. 2006 Craftsman Neszmely Királyleányka (Hungary). Around $8. Pretty floral nose with citrus flowers, lime, green apple; good overall finish and feel. -NB

21. 2006 Hogue Columbia Valley Fume Blanc (USA). Around $10.

22. 2006 Stephen Vincent Lake County Sauvignon Blanc (USA). Around $12.

23. 2007 Lo Tengo Mendoza Torrontes (Argentina). Around $12. Clean, fresh, grassy, and fun. -CS

24. 2007 Sula Vineyards Chenin Blanc (India). Around $10.

25. 2007 Kreuznacher Kronenberg Nahe Spätlese (Germany). $12.

Reds

1. 2007 Cave de Cairanne, Vin de Pays de la Principaute d'Orange "Secret de Campane" (France). Around $10. Light, but with great fruit and beautiful acidity; hints of cherry and dark strawberry. Perfect early fall wine. -KC

2. 2005 Villa Rosa "Poggio ai Rovi" IGT Toscana (Italy). Around $12.

3. 2006 Belpoggio "Stupor Mundi" Rosso Piceno (Italy). Around $11.

4. 2007 Coto De Hayas Campo De Borja Tinto (Spain). Around $10.

5. 2005 Chateau de Beauregard-Ducourt Bordeaux (France). Around $11. Tasty, savory, very appetizing; the most real-tasting red wine in the group. -CS

6. 2006 Chateau Barrail Meyney Bordeaux (France). $12.

7. 2005 Vinos de Arganza "Flavium" Bierzo Crianza (Spain). Around $11.

8. 2005 Dehesa el Carrascal "Tudon's" Almansa (Spain). Around $12.

9. NV Herdade Do Esporao "Alandra" Tinto (Portugal). Around $9. Ripe, fresh, forward fruit in nose; red and black berry on palate. Juicy. Good! -NB

10. 2006 Celler el Masroig "Sola Fred" Montsant (Spain). Around $11.

11. 2005 San Silvestro "Ottone I" Piemonte Barbera (Italy). Around $10. Extremely pleasing, spicy aromas; some tobacco and earthy flavors; good steady fruit presence. -SM

12. 2006 Bodegas Aragonesas "Don Ramon" Campo de Borja (Spain). Around $10. Dark berries on the nose and palate; some spice and herbal notes; medium weight; balanced. My top pick red. -NB

13. 2006 Velenosi "Quattro Mani" Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (Italy). Around $12. Meaty; vibrant blueberry and autumn leaves; nice complexity; balanced. -KC

14. 2007 Bodegas Zabrin "Garnacha de Fuego" Old Vines (Spain). Around $12.

15. 2005 Legado Munoz Calatayud Grenacha (Spain). Around $12.

16. 2007 Morande "Terrarum" Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir (Chile). Around $12. Very ripe, forward, New World; distinctly pinot-ish cherry fruit; a few nice earthy notes; some cut and zip. -SM

17. 2007 Chateau de Calce Cotes du Roussillon (France). Around $10. Appetizing, medium-weight red with inviting, roundish flavors. Easy to picture as a casual food wine. -CS

18. 2004 Avondale "Amira" Paarl Cabernet Franc (South Africa). Around $12.

19. 2006 Sant'Angelo IGT Salento Negroamaro (Italy). Around $12.

20. 2005 Daniel Fernandez "Agua de Piedra" Mendoza Malbec (Argentina). Around $12.

21. 2006 Zabu IGT Sicily Nero D'Avola (Italy). Around $11.

22. 2007 Enrique Foster "Ique" Mendoza Malbec (Argentina). Around $8. Ripe red and black fruits; a little perfumey with a ripe, juicy quality; tar note; fuller style. -NB

23. 2005 Apaltagua Colchagua Valley Carmenere (Chile). Around $12.

24. 2005 Line 39 Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon (USA). Around $10.

25. 2007 De Bortoli "Vat 1" Petite Sirah (Australia). Around $10. Big, chunky, and ripe with venison and cassis notes; very long finish. Definite "cocktail" wine. -KC