All-Star Wine List
Quite often, the long journeys I must take to bring back the freshest content for these here pages require that I spend an occasional evening getting sotted and becoming plowed. It is a sacrifice I must make. But, I do it all for you, my faithful readers.

Last night became one of those oiled evenings, the fruits of which I will now share. I toured over to my friends Jodi and Heather’s place to cheer on the American League in the All Star Game. These friends of mine besides being huge baseball geeks are hardcore wine buffs ta boot. Once the variety of vinos were uncorked the game merely became background entertainment to an unprecedented wine tasting party. I, knowing very little about wine, was greatly impressed with the knowledge talk and quite bowled over by many of the selections. I became pleasantly drunk too.
At evenings end I had Heather draw me up a list so I might remember some of the selections. Here now is that list. Most of these are under $20 and a great many of them are $10 or less.

Whites:

Kings Estate Pinot Gris, Oregon (mineral, alcohol)
Pavao Vinho Verde, Spain (light, effervescent)
Giesen Sauvignon Blanc (brilliant, grapefruit)
El Portillo Sauvignon Blanc (cheap, grapefruit, dry)
Wachauer Rainer Wess Gruner Veltliners, Austria (minerality, salt, great for white fish)

Reds:
Copper Mountain Pinot Noir, Oregon (organic, dark berries)
Altano Douro, Portugal (cheap, great)
Beaucanon Estate Cabernet Franc (huge, elegant)
Protocolo, Vino De La Tierra De Castilla, Spain (cheap, great)
Arbanta Rioja (organic, family farm)
Joao Pires Dry Muscat, Portugal (very dry)
Wildekrans Pinotage (spicy)
Archery Summit, Pinot Noir, Premiere Cuvee, Oregon (more expensive, brilliant)
El Portillo Malbec, Mendoza (chocolate, berry)