Thanks for the quick responses to Merlot at Midnight!

[Innkeeper]

Without getting into the technicalities of what makes a quaffer versus a food wine let me recommend a Bordeaux. The 2000 vintage is just beginning to be released. There are numerous small chateaux and wines bottled by negotiants that sell for well under $20 (closer to $10) and are immediately approachable (don't have to be aged). Most of these will say Appellation Bordeaux Controllee. For wines that are heavier in merlot look for lower price bottlings of St Emilion, Pomerol, or Lelande de Pomerol.