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[Randy Caparoso]

You are wise beyond your years. Chianti from Italy and Pinot Noir from California are two excellent choices for dishes with tomato based sauces; and if you use a good, round, winey vinegar (like a balsamic) and a good extra virgin olive oil, the wines will do pretty good with your shrimp salad as well. Some oven crisped French bread slathered with garlicy butter, or simply dipped in olive certain can't hurt either!

You can get perfectly delicious wines for $8 to $12. The best value in Chianti type wine that I know of is the Antinori "Santa Cristina." For Pinot Noir, both Napa Ridge and Mirassou make excellent, reasonably priced examples. Others may have suggestions. Enjoy!