It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

Wine shopping yesterday. I had to make up for staying home on black Friday. Goal was to keep all wines under $10. I was looking for interesting wines, good importers, no fruit bombs etc.
Montgras 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Chile $9.98
Duboeuf Beaujolais Villages 2009 France $8.98
Cuvee De Pena Pyrenees Oriental 2009 $8.98 South France This may be the best deal. The Wine Advocate went ga-ga over this one.
Fritz Windisch Kabinett Trocken 2009 Germany $8.98
Charles Smith Vino Pinot Grigio Washington 2010 $10.98 ( I couldn't help myself; Charles Smith is making some interesting wines. His Cabernet is very good.
Zenato Pinot Grigio Italy $8.98 ( I will compare Italy v Washington for Pinot Grigio. Why not)
Pico Maccario Berro Barbera 2009 Italy$9.98 Drank this last night and was disappointed. Had a touch of sweetness on the finish. I would not buy again.
Chais St Laurent Chinon, Loire France 2010 $9.99
Chapoutier Belleruche Cotes Du Rhone 2009 $9.98
Garciavalo Casamaro Rueda  white wine, Spain 2010
Borsao 2010 Spain 2010 $6.39 My wife loves this wine.

For Thanksgiving I started with a 2006 Chalone Estate Pinot Noir. Everyone really liked it so we had 2 more bottles of it. That was simple. The food rocked as did the family.

Other wines last week:

Merryvale Profile 2006. This wine was a gift. It is a super premium Napa cabernet. It was not a fruit bomb although it was high in alcohol. We really enjoyed it but it is not worth the price. Release price $135.
Anna de Cordorniu Cava Spain $10. Not a typical cava as it is chardonnay based with some parellada.. Liked alot. Nice fruit and balance and light. Drank it with wings and ribs and it worked well. I have been drinking syrah with barbecue.
Chablis Simonnet-Fevre 2009. Got a great deal at $11.99. The Wine Spectator liked it alot so did I. Not as steely as other Chablis' but very good chardonnay. Not much wood if any.
Achaval Ferrer Malbec 2010 Mendoza Argentina.$14. Highly regarded wine. First time for me. This wine is why I am finding malbecs boring. A decent, balanced wine with no terroir.

This past week celebrated 2 birthdays. Made chocolate mousse and hot passionfruit auntylilikoi.com (my source in Kauai for unsweetened passionfruit juice) souffle with passionfruit whipped cream for my birthday and a vanilla layer cake with chocolate frosting for my son. Also received a box of Jacques Torres chocolates. Love them. Recipes on request.

Keep drinking with moderation.