Lemondrop

Do you wear a disguise when you buy wines that cost less $12? Do you feel that these wines would be equally good for drinking or staining the deck? Wine cheapskates of the world, you no longer have to be embarrassed about bargain bottles.

A number of regions are producing tasty wines at incredibly low prices. And in these economically challenging times, why blow the budget on booze? Here are five wines that taste twice as expensive as they cost:

Australian Chardonnays: These whites offer suprisingly great quality for the money, especially for this brand-name grape that tends to be more expensive in regions like California. The 2007 Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay is an oaky, smoky wine with green apple notes. Pair with: roast chicken. $11.45. Score: 86/100.

Californian Gallo wines: This vineyard has moved beyond its jug-vino days and now produces wines that are tasty yet still very affordable. Give them another chance if it's been a few years. You just can't argue with the price of the 2007 Gallo Pinot Grigio. It's a simple but refreshing white with melon-lime notes. Pair with: fish, salads. $8.95. Score: 86/100.

Click here to see three more safe bets under $12.


Australian Shiraz: Australia's marquee grape, Shiraz, delivers plenty of flavor for the buck. Although the prices of the premium and reserve varieties are starting to creep up, you'll always find those in the low-to-medium price range exceptionally good values. The 2006 Cookoothama Shiraz is a vibrant red filled with black cherries and other berries. Smooth with a gorgeous texture. Pair with: hamburgers, steak. $11.95. Score: 89/100.

Chilean wines: Chile continues to be a hot spot for wine values because its production costs tend to be lower than other regions. Land and labor are cheap, and the weather is generally fine with no off vintages. The 2007 Caliterra Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley, is a robust red with blackberry notes. Pair with: red meats. $11.90. Score: 86/100.

Southern French wines: Benchmark regions such as Bordeaux and Burgundy are out of range for most of us, but southern France offers terrific underpriced gems like the 2005 J.P. Chenet Grenache-Shiraz from Minervois. It's a rustic, full-bodied red with black cherries and wild herb notes. Pair with: braised short ribs, pizza, pasta with meat sauce. $9.95. Score: 87/100.

Natalie MacLean, author of the bestseller "Red, White, and Drunk All Over," publishes a free wine newsletter at www.nataliemaclean.com.