Almost two months ago we launched our initial lineup of bargain wines for everyday drinking, our "real wines." Today we release our second set. Your response has been overwhelming. We know that the price of gas and the S&P's show has everybody thinking about cutting corners. But we're doing the hard work: sorting out great value wines from cheap wines. There's nothing that says you have to give up quality. Here are nine good reasons why:

 

This terrific New Zealand Sauvignon has all the zip and grassy appeal you'd expect. Try this with crab cakes or salmon burgers on the grill. Going all-veggy for a meal? Slice up some zucchini and red peppers, grill them and splash this Sauvignon in a glass for a perfect match.

BRANCOTT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007, Marlborough, New Zealand $11.97 (regular $14.95)

 

Ten points for anyone who can point to Gascony on a map. Exactly. It doesn't matter, what matters is that this great little discovery has all the crisp, drilling flavors to make it a great summer-weight quaff. Move up from Pinot Grigio to this French bargain and you'll never go back. Light; cocktails, shellfish.

DOMAINE DE POUY 2007, Cotes de Gascogne, France $8.47 (regular $9.95)

 

We carried this years ago and recently found it again. The Torres family has one of the all-time great simple whites in this one. Benchmark flavors of lemongrass and hints of lime lifesaver are rounded out in this ultra-light white.

TORRES SANGRE DE TORO [WHITE] "VINA SOL" 2007, Catalunya, Spain $9.97 (regular $11.95)

 

No summer night is quite complete without the apple-traced fruit of a great Riesling. This Rhine bears plenty of resemblance to a classy Alsace Riesling, without the mineral-slate component, or the $30 price tag.

DR. HEYDEN OPPENHEIMER RIESLING KABINETT 2005, Rheinhessen, Germany $11.97 (regular $13.95)

 

Wow! One after another, the folks at Les Fontanelles are cranking up the standards for all the reds and whites from this part of France. And this dry rosé hits another bases-loaded long ball. All Syrah, this is the only wine to chill and serve with many Asian dishes, but we really like it with Costillitas (Cuban baby back ribs).

LES FONTANELLES ROSÉ 2007, Pays d'Oc, France $9.97 (regular $11.95)

 

What does a gifted winemaker do with all the leftover parts after making stellar Merlots and Cabernets? Blend. Blend. Blend. Great, soft claret scents lift this above the level of everyday and make you glad you bought this for the steaks.

ST. FRANCIS RED 2004, Sonoma, California $10.97 (regular $12.95)

 

Shiraz is a name we associate with Australia, but many of South Africa's top producers tackle it too. We really like the forward, pepper-scented fruit of the Sincerely Shiraz. Sincerely. Soft enough to appeal to a crowd, serious enough to handle charcoal-smoked anything.

SINCERELY SHIRAZ 2005, South Africa $11.95

 

Pinot Noir = bargain? Are we crazy? Is this a fraud? Absolutely not! This is one of the most exciting little Cali-Pinots we've run across in a couple of years. It could be a little deeper or dryer, but there's plenty of honest, rustic Pinot fruit to convince your friends you spent a lot more. Rotisserie chicken anyone? Chill this slightly.

MONTOYA PINOT NOIR 2006, Monterey, California $13.97 (regular $16.95)

 

No wine nation has made more progress in the past decade than Spain. This is why winemakers in southern France aren't selling wines. Compare this to any Provence red and you'll be back to this great organic Spanish red for a case! Yummy! Pig roast? Leg of lamb for the neighborhood? Burgers?

LUZON VERDE 2007, Jumilla, Spain $9.95

We've just received our annual allocation of this mind-blowing Chardonnay. Don't make the mistake of passing this up. Collectors and those craving a once-in-a-lifetime experience will find nothing more deserving. "This is one of the most serious estates in Burgundy. The wines are usually among the very best made. They are textbook white Burgundies, brimming with flavor, yet elegant and well-balanced." --Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate. The white wines of Puligny-Montrachet are probably the most famous and most widely acclaimed in the world. This 2006 shows a grapefruit nose and tropical scents on the palate. It's silky, with aromas of ripe banana, some tangerine, white licorice and pears. This will qualify as the best white you've had all summer. Worth a splurge.

ETIENNE SAUZET PULIGNY-MONTRACHET 2006, Burgundy $64.97 (regular $73.95)

It is definitely picnic time! We love a "loaf of bread, a jug of wine and a thou" as much as anyone. We're just really focused on getting our picnic eats to be as poetic as our company. Sometimes we look to France for our inspiration. We pack terrific crusty bread, ripe, summer fruit and the ultimate cheese and sausage match, French-style saucisson and P'Tit Basque.

 

Saucisson is a small, dry sausage, like salami but more delicate in flavor. The saucisson rolled in black pepper is excellent, sliced as thin as possible, served on a baguette with fresh goat cheese or sweet mustard. Sliced a little thicker, this sausage really packs a punch! The saucisson encrusted with fine herbs is full of the flavors of Provence and the perfect sausage to serve with P'Tit Basque.

 

P'Tit Basque is a lovely little sheep's milk cheese from the foothills of the Pyrenées. Almost hard, yet silky, smooth, and chewy, P'Tit Basque has a sharp, nutty flavor and long finish. The cheese is made from the raw milk of sheep grazing on wild grasses, herbs, and plants. It is elegantly earthy, and terrific with a glass of Viognier.

 

BLACK PEPPERCORN SAUCISSON $9.97 lb (Reg. $11.99 lb)

FINE HERB SAUCISSON $9.97 lb (Reg. $11.99 lb)

P'TIT BASQUE $19.97 lb (Reg. $22.99 lb)

Stop by for our FREE Saturday Tasting, 11:00-5:00. Beat the heat! Cool off with the hot flavors from south of the border. We'll have margarita recipes to share, along with the easiest salsas you've ever seen. What wines match the heat of great salsas? Our favorites are the great Argentinean Torrontes and rose from Crios! Back in stock, Just in time! Plus cerveza & more! All free, from Corona to Crios. See you here!

 

Review one: Bottle Shock [the movie]. Save your money for wine.

 

Review two: Bottle Shock [the movie]. Save your money for wine.

 

Scientists try to develop an electronic sensor to "taste" wines, but can you take it to a party? What will it tell your brother-in-law when he has one too many?

 

Another report shows wine consumption up, beer drinking down and spirits about the same

That's all for this week. If we may be of any further service, please stop by our store at 9965 Gross Point Road in Skokie (for directions, click here), visit our website at http://www.schaefers.com, give us a call at 847-677-WINE (9463), 800-833-WINE (9463), or click here to contact us.