Ruinart non-vintage Brut Rose Champagne

Salmon-pink color, long-lasting tiny bubbles.

Ripe mango smell, berry, apples, and toast.

Tart berry flavor, ends a bit tart and thin.

Inadequate bottle for $44.88 / 375ml, and pricey(!) I probably won't buy more of this. I wish I liked it better, I greatly admire the bright cheery color of Rose Champagne, but this isn't the one.

Banfi 2007 Brachetto d'Aqui Rosa Regale

Medium red color, far darker than Rose, but not so dark as Sparkling Shiraz. Puntless bottle belies the vigorous small bubbles and the resounding pop of the cork.

Raspberry smell, hint of Muscat.

Fresh-fruit-sweet berry flavor, like something you'd put on pancakes.

Intriguing bottle for $12.70 / 375ml, not something I'd want very often, but a pleasing novelty.

Guado al Melo 2006 Bacco in Toscana Bom Ba Ba Ba

Very dark purple color.

Plum smell with leather and oak.

Tart plum and cherry flavors, mild oak, slightly chalky finish.

Very good bottle for $19.99, a food-friendly match for pasta & tomato sauce.

Clos du Mont-Olivet 2007 Cotes du Rhone Varene

Near-opaque purple color, red highlights.

Earthy stone-fruit smell, hint of uncooked Canadian bacon.

Purple plum flavor, tart black cherry, peach at the finish.

Good bottle for $26.99, 2007 is often said to be an overwhelming year for Southern Rhones, this is a full-bodied wine with plenty of promise.

Chateau Garreau 2005 Premieres Cotes de Blaye

Dark purple/red color.

Full smell of blackberry, leather, oak.

Flavors of blackberry, cherry, coffee.

Very good bottle for $17.99, a serviceable Bordeaux for under $20!

Jean-Maurice Raffault 2007 Chinon Les Geluches

Dark red color.

Smell of oak, plum, cherry.

Plum and cherry taste, currant.

Good bottle for $14.05. Medium-weight. certainly lighter than a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Alta Vista 2006 Mendoza Malbec Premium

Opaque, dark reddish-purple at the edges.

Plum, prune, black cherry smells, roast beef, oak in the background.

Warm plum flavor, blackcurrant, blueberry, peach, mildly oaked, quite tannic at the end.

Good bottle for $14.99, big balanced full-flavored fun.