El cheapo, old reliable

Barefoot Pinot Grigio
Origin: California
Price: $7

If you're looking for a cheap wine that never disappoints, this is it. Time and time again I've purchased this wine, and it's always a crowd pleaser. This week I brought some to a committee meeting, and although attendance was low, the wine disappeared.

Excellent for warm weather days, this is a rather fruity pinot grigio...I taste apple and pear notes especially. It finishes with a tangy sweetness. There's really nothing to complain about. All too often, I've found that cheap pinot grigio tends to taste flat and watery (stay away from Fish Eye), but Barefoot's is far from it.

Having tried other Barefoot wines which are just as reasonably priced, I consider this one the clear victor. Their sauvignon blanc (green label) is not nearly as impressive as far as whites go. The Barefoot merlot (dark blue label) is not bad at all, but it's clear that reds aren't Barefoot's forte.