Don't whine over wine prices, try to budget

The Orlando Sentinel

Here's how to be a savvy shopper for budget wines:

_ Consider second labels. Many wineries make more than one wine. A portfolio can include pricey reserve wines and award-winning show stoppers as well as less expensive, downright decent everyday quaffing wines made under the same standards and supervision. In the $10 range, some of these extended families are more obvious than others. Beringer Vineyards, for example, produces Stone Cellars ($8) and Beringer Founders' Estate ($8.99), while the Beaulieu Vineyards umbrella includes BV Coastal Estates ($6.99), and the prestigious Robert Mondavi family of wines offers the Woodbridge line ($7.99).

_ It's OK to go biggie. Large bottles of Stimson Estate Cellars, which is part of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates wines that include Chateau Ste. Michelle and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, cost about 25 cents per ounce. A smaller 750 milliliter bottle of the same is about 31 cents per ounce. If you are looking for party wine, checking the unit prices will keep the budget in check. Also, many stores give case discounts.

_ Go global. The Italians, French and Australians produce inexpensive wines that hover in the $5.99-$7.99 range.

_ Build relationships. Talk to wine-shop owners about how to spot bargains. Once you start, it becomes a fun sport.

_ Be bold. Sometimes you just have to be brave. Who can turn away from a great label and a $10-or-less price tag? Red Truck, Twin Fin and Papio wines are great examples.