WSJ article on best buys

[chittychattykathy]

After spending this last week with my new Spainish friends, I feel very safe in mentioning that Freixenet is one of the most "made fun of" wine by folks in the Spainish wine industry. There are several better alternatives for about the same cost and up. A few to look for:
Codorniu, Vallformosa, even Rene Barbier.
As for almost all of the winesin this story, (I do not want to sound like someone we're maybe enjoying a bit of a rest from), but really, how mainstream can you get???
Is Chateau Ste. Michelle or Hogue really all that be had back east?