Resolve to explore tasty value wines available year-round

There's a lot of talk about bargains these days as retailers try to salvage what can only be described as an anemic holiday season. And while retailers may be offering more than their usual share of discounts, savvy wine shoppers can find great value wines year-round.

That doesn't necessarily mean buying the least expensive bottle available. Value means getting the most bang for your buck, so value wines can be found at all price levels. Given the state of the economy, it just makes sense to look for better prices without sacrificing quality.

Martin Kelley, wine manager for Total Wine and More in Fort Myers, has noticed a change in customer buying habits.

"Our bottle volume is about the same, but the dollar price per bottle is down," he says. "People are always looking for suggestions — those 'sleeper wines' that are popular because the prices are lower, but that have not yet been discovered." He says wines from the south of France, especially the Rhone district, are good values that also drink well. Recently Total Wine in Naples and Fort Myers featured two Rhone district wineries as part of its ongoing Meet the Maker wine-tasting series.

Olivier Mousset, winemaker owner of Clos St. Michel. Audrey Fouet was pouring wines made by her familyowned winery Domaine de La Presidente.

"We have some great bargains," she says. "The 2007 Cotes du Rhone is very fruity with berry and strawberry nose and flavors ($9.99). But the 2005 Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne is our No. 1 seller. It is oak aged for a year and is drier, with medium body and good fruit. This wine is a value compared to our Chateauneuf du Pape" and is priced at $14.99.

Olivier Mousset is the winegrower and owner along with his brother at their family firm Le Clos Saint-Michel and Domaine Guy Mousset.

"Domaine Guy Mousset Cotes du Rhone 2007 is my

personal house wine," he

says. "It is made from grenache and syrah and has good strawberry fruit and is reasonably priced at $9.99."

He also was pouring a tasty Cotes du Rhone Rosé 2007, which was crisp and dry with a good fruity bouquet and priced at $10.99.

"Now more than ever we are finding great wines from some unusual wine districts," says Angelo Fantozzi of Haskell's The Wine People on Pine Ridge Road in Naples. "I found a wonderful wine from Greece called Boutari Moschofilero 2007. This is a white wine, light and crisp with a touch of melon and fruit flavors a long finish. It's a great

Audrey Fouet of Domaine de La Presidente. alternative to pinot grigio at a great price."

It runs about $10 a bottle.

Mr. Fantozzi recommended some other unusual wine finds as well.

"I have a nice red called Egri Bikaver, which means 'bull's blood of Eger' and is Hungary's most famous wine," he says. "This is a nice full-bodied wine with plum and grape notes that will really go well with a nice steak."

For $8.99 a bottle, it's definitely a value wine.

"Don't overlook lesser-known districts," he says. "Mulderbosch is a South African winery. Their rosé is medium bodied and dry, with a mix of cherry and fruit notes, and is a great value at $10.99. They also make a very nice chenin blanc, which is off-dry with lime and green apple notes." It's also $10.99.

Trying new varietals will reveal hidden treasures as well. Instead of a cabernet or merlot, try a malbec from Argentina. Or search for other districts known for offering good value. Many Alsatian producers offer a selection of wines at less than $20 that are dry to off-dry with good fruit. These are perfect for seafood or enjoyed by themselves well chilled.

This week's wine picks also include a number of value wines worth trying.

Wine picks of the week

>>Domaine de La Presidente Chateauneuf du Pape 2006: This blend of grenache, syrah and mouvedre is aged six to eight months in old oak, giving it elegance and finesse. It is very young but made to be enjoyed right now. About $35.

>>Domaine Guy Mousset Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Cuvee Les Garrigues 2006: This blend of grenache and syrah has big black raspberry notes with good fruit and finish. About $20.

>>Helfrich Riesling Alsace 2007: "A pretty, floral Riesling, with a creamy texture and hints of lychee ... yellow peach and light mineral notes," according to Wine Spectator, which named it a Smart Buy. "Lively and clean, with a light smoky finish." About $13.

>>Alamos Malbec Mendoza Selección 2007: "Round and fleshy, with enticing spice, blueberry, fig and boysenberry flavors backed by hints of fruitcake and melted licorice. Stays fresh and vivid on the finish, with a lingering mocha hint," says Wine Spectator, naming this a Smart Buy as well. About $15.

>>Windmill Estates Old Vine Zinfandel 2006: One quarter petite syrah, with sweet black cherries and juicy licorice on the nose and a jammy flavor. About $12.