Vecchia Cantina - Chianti @@ (2 corks)

Retails: $6.99 (Total Wine)

Have you ever been subject to elitism when buying cheap wine? I know I have. When I moved here from Maine three years ago, I remember shopping at the local grocery store, perusing the selection of cheap wines. A red headed fellow kept eyeing me until he finally came over and said in a thick Italian accent: "Cheap wine! Ugh! eeets like drinkeeng kemikals! eet eez a deesgrace to wine!" I was being harassed by a random Italian man, in Bradenton, Florida! In a Publix! First off, if you're going to be a wine snob, why are you buying wine at the local grocery store?? Secondly, why are you living in Bradenton? (Bradenton, although lovely, is by no means as fancy as its sister city, Sarasota.)

Mind you, in Maine thrifty-ness was not only applauded but expected in a state that is primarily rural with no major cities to speak of--I lived in a suburb of its "major city" (Portland) which has a population of approximately 250,000. There are more cows in Maine than people, no joke. The thought of paying more than $20 for a bottle of wine is virtually unheard of for locals---tourists, however, well...that's another story. I grew up in a semi-European household, so it's not like I haven't experienced expensive wine but I was taught early on not to confuse expensive with "good," hence, my passion for cheap wine. Thankfully, places like Total Wine make it exquisitely easy to be thrifty on your wine purchases.

So, on to the review! Chianti will always hold a sacred place in my heart. One of my dearest friends and I used to split a bottle of Chianti and watch chick flicks when we were fresh out of college. I distincitly remember us being unable to uncork a bottle of Rufino Chianti which ended up with us on the floor, me holding the bottle with both hands and her attempting to pull with all her mite. A cork-ridden bottle ensued. Hilarious. Vecchia Cantina Chianti lacks the characteristic immediate sweetness I associate with a Chianti. Although easily drinkable, like most Chiantis, this one has a pucker to its flavor. The after effect is dry, to the point of turning your tongue like sand paper. Normally, a little dryness doesn't bother my taste buds but when you're in the mood for Chianti, this just won't do.

Final Word: It's drinkable, but not memorable. If you seek a Chianti, try a bottle of Rufino instead.

Carlo Rossi - Burgandy @@@ (3 corks)

Retails - $9.99 / gallon (Total Wine)

I used to be a part of a traveling video crew who ventured to San Antonio, Texas on a week-long trip. During our exploration of the famous River Walk, we followed our ears one evening to a tiny Italian Restaurant called Delores del Rio that featured live jazz music nightly. We were thrilled, for one, to find a restaurant serving something other than Tex-Mex, and second, this place had a certain off-kilter charm that drew us back night after night. Delores del Rio was the kind of hangout where all of the furniture was mismatched and dimly lit by 70's style lamps found at a garage sale. (Photo: My fellow blogger Amon Focus )The clientelle looked more like New Yorkers than Texans. Tiny circular tables had candles protruding from empty wine bottles, they drizzled candle wax all over the bottle and table. The food was incredible and the restaurant was about the size of your living room. My co-workers and I had found our "hang" in San Antonio. Plus, the house red was delicious. So, delicious, that it prompted us to ask, after three glasses a piece, what the wine was.

The waiter stammered and said "oh, it's some bulk wine we buy." We persisted until finally he admitted that the "bulk wine" was in fact none other than JUG wine---Carlo Rossi to be exact. The funny part was, they were passing off the Carlo Rossi Burgundy as a "Chianti" and pricing it at $7 per glass! We were completely fooled.

This Burgundy/Chianti is undefined, undoubtedly a mix of a few grapes, hence why this restaurant was able to pass it off for something other than true Burgundy. Having none of the signature brusqueness that Burgundy possesses, this wine was extremely drinkable. Very light, fruity, with a touch of acidity, the wine went down easily with our Italian fare. The moral of the story is, although we may turn up our noses at jug wine from time to time, there are in fact some good varieties out there that are worth a shot. And for under $10 per GALLON, throw a party and fool your friends with your bulk "Chianti."

Final Word: Totally drinkable especially if you're pinching pennies @@@ (3 corks)