Good Wines, Great Values

These five terrific value wines are some of Lettie Teague's favorites.

By Lettie Teague

Five Great Value Wines:

2007 Kracher Pinot Gris Illmitz ($16)

This Austrian Pinot Gris from the late master Alois Kracher is surprisingly rich, with a wonderfully penetrating minerality. As restaurateur Phil Walters says, "It screams terroir."

2007 Cameron Hughes Lot 110 Carneros Pinot Noir ($18)

The near-global wine glut has helped producers like Cameron Hughes, who are procuring fruit from some very good (and very secret) sources in California. This bright, lively red has true Pinot character.

York Creek Cuvée One Red Wine ($15)

There is no vintage for this lush, Cabernet-dominant blend (combined with Merlot and "port grapes") from Napa's Spring Mountain district, nor is there much complexity. But it sure is delicious.

2007 Kogl Mea Culpa Sämling ($20)

I've been keen on Slovenian wines for a while now (they're on par with whites from Friuli in Italy, for half the price), but this crisp example really stands out. It has a nice floral nose and a firm, Chablis-like structure.