Woehler on Wine: Great bargains to share with friends

This is an April Fool's column, but it's no joke.

It's about bargain wines listed in the spring edition of Wine Press Northwest.

They are rated "best buys," and the criteria is a little stricter than my $20-and-under range. To earn a "best buy" from Wine Press Northwest, it has to go for $15 and under.

Wine Press Northwest is owned by the Tri-City Herald and is published four times a year. I serve as the magazine's tasting editor so I'm familiar with the wines tasted and published.

Tastings are blind, and a majority of the tasters must agree for a wine to earn the "Outstanding!" "excellent" or "recommend" endorsements.

My definitions for these three ratings are: A "recommended" wine is one you would advise a friend or acquaintance to buy. An "excellent" wine is one you would buy for a friend or acquaintance. An "Outstanding!" wine is a wine you would buy for yourself!

Here are some bargains:

-- Lone Canary Winery 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $13, "Outstanding." Apricots and citrus meld with crispy mouth feel. Try with butter-poached mussels and garlic. Web site: www.lonecanary.com.

-- The Girl Next Door, 2006 Roll in the Hay Chardonnay, $14, "Outstanding." This second label of Alexandria Nicole Cellars in Prosser is a barrel-fermented, fruit-forward wine showing apples and a hint of orange zest. Try with chicken piccata with capers. Web site: www.alexandrianicolecellars.com.

-- Mount Baker Vineyards and Winery 2006 Rosetta Blanc, $13, "Excellent." Interesting blend of pinot gris, Viognier, Chasselas and Gewürztraminer. Think dry pears and tropical fruit with a hit of grapefruit. Would go well with Chinese lemon or orange fried chicken breasts. Web site: www.mountbakervineyards.com.

-- Coyote Canyon Winery 2004 Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $14, "Outstanding!" A delicious Sangiovese with spicy black cherries and red licorice flavors. Baked lasagna, meat or veggie would be a nice match. Web site: www.coyotecanyonwinery.com.

-- San Juan Vineyards, 2005 Cabernet-Merlot, Columbia Valley, $14, "Outstanding!" This is a Puget Sound winery that gets its grapes from the sunny east side of the state. Think of a yummy rush of blackberries and milk chocolate and you'll get the picture. Any steak will do. Web site: www.sanjuanvineyards.com.

-- Dusted Valley Vintners 2006 Boomtown Syrah, Columbia Valley, $15, "Excellent." An affordable Syrah from a Walla Walla winery that made its reputation with Syrahs. Full of cranberry, cherry and oak nuances. Pair with a gourmet beef and pork meat loaf. Web site: www.dustedvalley.com.