The sulfites have a different reaction with reds imported. The processing is different in whites, therefore not creating the same reaction.

neworleanslady~ I've had two bottles of the Santa Rita this month and it is quite good. I need to go to another store this weekend, since I'm getting a reputation for looking dazed and confused when I look for new ones at my usual stop!

It's like so many other things, choices, so...ooooooo many choices.. I've spent more time reading labels than I do at the library. My right tricep is showing improvement though,lol. I don't really budget either, I like to stay around $10-15, but I can justify spending more if the description is appealing.
Litespeed, I want to try Caymus Conundrum, if only for the intriguing name. I used to like Evolution with the Chinese characters too:)

Another vote for Conundrum. I've not tried another blend that so well retains the character and flavors of each of whatever varietals are used.

This is my favorite time of years for reds, but a few of the whites I've been enjoying lately from our stock are:

Arciero Muscat Cannelli (Paso Robles)

EOS Moscato (Paso Robles)

St. Julien Chardonnay (Monterey area)

Kenwood Chardonnay (Sonoma)

Raptor Ridge Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)

King Estate Muellar Thargau (Oregon)

Chateau St. Michelle Riesling (Washington)

Gainey Triada (Santa Inez Valley) 2002

EOS Sauv Blanc (Paso Robles) Cheers! ***kim*** ((*))

jetset1 you should taste a few Viogners to see if you like them! My faves are:

Imagery Artistry Viognier (Sonoma)

Westbrook Viognier (Madera,CA)

Chumeia Viognier (Paso Robles) We bought a case of this at a Wine Tour we recently went on. :D Can others recommend any of their fave Viogniers?

I also love most of the Sauv Blancs from New Zealand. Cheers! ***kim*** ((f))

I am too a migraine sufferer. My favorite (and happened to be inexpensive) is the Sutter House's Moscato (not the red Muscat, the white Moscato). Do you have Safeway or Albertson's in your area? They carry it in 2 sizes.

Trade Joe's also carries that! jetset, you may want to browse through your local Trader Joe's. Its' great fun and you can find some real bargains there! =D> ***kim***

Yes, I have Safeway here, as well as three other good sources, then Anchorage for anything really unique.
I've wondered.. WWKD.. what would Kal do? but don't know that he's into wine. Probably still preening like a peacock after all the notoriety this week, ha ha.

FA,
Have you ever had a real IT Moscato? They have about 5% etoh and are "foamy" - simply delicious on a warm Spring afternoon.
JS1,
The bigger CA Chardonnays give me a headache. The whites of Chile and Argentina are nice everyday wines. If you see the Casa LaPostelle Sauvignon Blanc or the Montes (esp '03) Fume Blanc, do try those - maybe $8. at discount. The Cuvee Alexandre Chard from LaPostelle and the Alpha Chard from Montes are usually world class, and at $15. way better than nearly all similar priced Chards from CA imho.
I loved the '02 Lurton Pinot Gris from Argentina @ $6.
We are seeing quite a few Austrian whites (Gruner Weltliner, an occasional Sauv Blanc and Riesling) here, but they can be a bit pricey c/w German counterparts.
Lastly, try some Alsatians: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, etc.
M

mikemo.. I'm furiously taking notes, good choices. I tend to favor the South American wines, the Chilean ones certainly agree with me~ no real experience with Austrian wine, have had Gewurtraminer numerous times(an ode to my German heritage).
btw, when you were in San Miguel de Allende(not sure if you're there now), did you ever meet an ex-pat named Arlene, rather heavyset, short curly hair and outgoing? thanks, J.

Glad to see mikemo chime in-- he's the Forum wine expert. And mike, you may have a point on the CA chards. But my palate just doesn't "get" Alsatian whites, for some reason.... Argentine and Chilean? I like the reds, so I'll have to try their whites now.

ttt

>I love Villa Maria Sauv Blanc from New Zealand. It's about $15.00 a bottle. <<

I'll second this recommendation, and mention that you can get it at Costco for about $10 a bottle. :-)

I just tried a King Estate Pinot Gris that I liked quite a bit.

Lee Ann

The Chilean reds from Mont Gras are VG and reasonably priced. Had a '01 Malbec - Limited Release - last PM (I think my first Chilean Malbec after boatloads from Argentina)) and a '99 Reserve Cab last week. They can be found under $10 (I think I paid $8. @ Red Coleman's 20% off sale). We often have the '01 Cab/Syrah Res in MX and I have an '02 "Quatro" Res (Cab/Malbec/Carmenere/Merlot) which I have not tasted.
I stopped buying the near/often great Casa LaPostolle Cuvee Alexandre Merlot several years ago when the price went from under $12. to nearly $24. at full retail in a brief time period. They also make a Syrah and a Pinot Noir which are "interesting"
Look also for the great 1/2 dozen or so dry Roses from SW France imported by Robert Kacher (Grand Cassagne, Petite Cassagne, Mas de Guiot, St Antoine, etc.)and there are some dry Spanish and Portugese Roses that are nearly as good - most $6. - $8. - we drank many with local seafood last July in NW PT and Galicia as SO doesn't care for my fav white Albarino/Alvarinhos from the area.
For the Conundrum lovers, try an Arneis (the grape) from Italy (Ceretto's Blange is VVG) or from one of the tiny producers in CA - we had one at Terre which was produced in St Helena and delicious.
Buen fin de semana.
M

Another Villa Maria fan here. Costco has the best price and you can get it at Vons/Safeway on sale quite often for around $12.

Another couple had a Carmenet Chard last PM - VG: and I saw it for $6.39 at Simon David (Tom Thumb) this AM.
M

Jetset1,
I know an ancient New England academic expat (Arlene Jones) who is a real hoot. I'll be in my new house in June if all goes well.
M

I love Il Processco. I think the pop top is so cool and the wine is not very bubbly but doesn't give you that headachy aftertaste.

A waiter friend of mine today said he was at Costco with a friend of his, when she grabbed her Costco favorite -- a bottle of Villa Antinori Tuscano (a Super Tuscan) for $17. He nearly dropped dead, because that happens to be one of the more popular Super Tuscans on his restaurant's wine list -- at $78 a bottle.

I recently heard on a cable channel that ordering Merlot at a restaurant is really un-cool. I like Merlot. Can anyone tell me why it is un-cool, or is this a comment with no merit? Do I look like I'm ordering "Ripple" if I say Merlot?
Thanks.