Two Under $20 Friday

I'm hoping this will become a regular feature of this column—my sense is that the only thing that might stand in the way is lack of initiative on my part or vast lack of interest on the part of my readers. But I remain optimistic. Besides, recommending two under-$20 wines each week for the weekend's festivities seems like a valuable public service, right?

2005 Red Truck California Chardonnay ($11)
It may not be Batard-Montrachet, but that's really part of the point, isn't it? This is a brisk, juicy, citrusy Chardonnay with a touch of melon in the flavor. Entirely done in stainless steel—not a lick of oak—and much the better for it. Mostly Santa Barbara County fruit.

2005 Pine Ridge Winery Encantado Rosé ($15)
A saignée rosé (meaning that it's juice that's been bled off the tanks of red wines, a process that intensifies the reds and at the same time gives you a handy portion of rosé to bottle and sell), this is a roughly equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Definitely California rosé with its creamy cherry-berry and guava notes. Chill it down and serve with fairly rich, sweet shellfish like crab or scallops.