Chardonnay's under $25.00

Tonight I'm going to recommend several chardonnays that I've enjoyed. Many of the chardonnays are quite pricey and those that aren't, usually aren't very good. But I've got a few favorites and I'm sure there are more. Here're my picks:

1. Franciscan Oakville Estates; California; ~$20.00. Very pleasant. Flavors of apples and pears, and a nice, (little bit dry) oak-y finish that comes across as simple and clean. Has an almost buttery richness to it.

2. Martin Ray Santa Cruz Mountains Reserve; California; ~$19.00. Similar to the Franciscan but not as buttery rich. A bit lighter.

3. Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay; New Zealand; $16.00. For those who don't like the oak flavor found in many chardonnays, this is a good one. Clean fruit with pear overtones. Nice finish.

Enjoy!

Zinfandels Under $25.00

My wife and I are big fans of zinfandels. In fact, I'd say it's her favorite wine. They are a bit darker and heavier than the Pinot's. Some of the best I've ever tasted are reviewed below in my "under $25.00" list.

1. Franciscan Oakville Estates; California; ~$22.00. This one has long been our favorite. Something about this winery just always yields great zins. It's dark red with lots of blackberry, current, and a hint of vanilla overtones. Bouquet is marvelous. It's sometimes hard to find but it's worth searching for.

2. Seven Deadly Zins, Michael-David Winery; California; $13-$16.00. Another of our favorites. Widely available...and I like the name.

3. Sin Zin, Alexander Winery; California; $19.00. Similar to the Seven Deadly Zins. Both are delicious and have catchy names.

Those are the favorites. Try one and enjoy!