cheap,sweet,&enjoyable

[stevebody]

Sherry,

Big "amen" on the Gruet. I just got finished writing a review of their full line for another site and I really think they may be among the top two or three domestic bubblies. Could Not Possibly agree less with my home state's Domaine Ste. Michelle crap. Just try it side by side with the Gruet. No contest.

Also really nice is the Aussie Salenger Brut, a little $13 gem that's hard to find but worth the effort. Also can't say enough about Oregon's St. Innocent Blanc de Noir Brut. It's about $14 and worth twice that.

In regular wines, you'll LOVE a little Italian Primitivo called A-Mano (about $10). It's made by a guy from up here in Seattle, Scott Shannon, who used to be assistant winemaker for Hedges Cellars. He moved to Italy and now makes A-mano Primitivo, Promessa Rosso de Salento, Promessa Negro Amaro, and his pricy one, PrimaMano. All are gorgeous and all but the Prima are dirt cheap. For general value try Spain and Australia. The Charles Cimicky Trumps wines are dazzling and most are under $15. If you want more specific wines, please feel free to contact me via this forum and I'll send you a lovingly complied list of about 50 GREAT bottles for around or under $12.

Lastly, since you said "sweet", two suggestions: The Aussie, Hardy's Whiskers Blake Port; an amazing, silky, mature port for under fifteen bux, and an obscure Spaniard called Don PX, that's about $12 for the 375ml. Pure heaven!