Everyone is trying to get the most for the dollar given the economic environment — and wine is no exception. Where to look for the best values? The Loire Valley continues to offer wines of tremendous quality for the dollar. 2006 was a great vintage for white wine throughout much of France and there are many great value plays as well. Finally, a lot of great 2007s from Côtes du Rhône are starting to hit the market, that are offering some of the best wines in the marketplace dollar for dollar.

A lot of retailers are sending out emails with special offers on closeouts — so it is a good time to get on retailers mailing lists. There is a  huge glut of supply in Australian wine and not much demand resulting in a lot of downward pressure on pricing.  Spain and South America also offer a lot of value for the dollar.

I also wanted to provide links to some of the best buys (often termed QPRs –Quality/Price Ratio) from the last year. Here are some of my top picks from the last year. Most of these are under $20 a bottle, some as low as $10 and nothing above $25.

Red
Montirius Vacqueyras Garrigues 2005
Domaine Richaud Côtes du Rhône Terres de Galets 2007
Domaine Depeyre Côtes du Roussillon Villages 2007
Breton Chinon Beaumont 2004
Edmunds St. John Rocks & Gravel 2005
Jean & Agnes Foillard — Morgon Cuvée Corcelette Vieille Vigne 2007
Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas Rouge 2006
René Rostaing Vassal de Puech Noble Coteaux du Languedoc 2007
Domaine des 2 Anes, Premiers Pas 2005
Pierre Laplace Madiran 2005
Sean Thackrey Pleiades XV Old Vines Red
Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Côtes du Rhône 2004
Domaine Guion Bourgueil Cuvee Domaine 2006
Cuvelier Los Andes 2005
2006 Clos de los Siete
Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2007

White
René Rostaing Puech Chaud Blanc Coteaux du Languedoc 2005
McPrice Myers Viognier Larner Vineyard 2006
Cheverny, Le Petit Chambord, Domaine Francois Cazin, 2006
Mas des Bressades Roussanne-Viognier 2007
Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2007
Tablas Creek Vineyard Côtes de Tablas Blanc 2006
Guigal Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2007
Melville Estate Verna’s Viognier 2007
Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Sauvignon Blanc #5, 2006