Originally Posted by
lhgreengrd1
I don't drink whites, so I'll let other folks chime in with those, but from your list, certainly Cotes du Rhone and Beaujolais Villages remain good values here in the U.S. Other good red wines to try would be just about any Spanish red, including Riojas, and Monastrells, Argentine Malbecs, Chilean Carmeneres and Cabernet/Merlot blends, Australian Shiraz, and California Zinfandels and Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache that fit within your budget.
this is my favourite grape at the moment, it produces very rich and flavoursome wines. Fortunately it's underrated so the wines are affordable.
Personally I avoid Riojas as they can be very hit and miss.
And if I may, English wines are up and coming as the climate is becoming more and more Mediterranean as time goes by. I have a bottle of English sparking wine in my fridge waiting for the right time to open it.