Top Wines at Bargain Prices

Think good wine is a luxury you can't afford these days? Not so, say sommeliers and wine experts across the world. In fact, now is a great time to sample wine from lesser-known regions and seek out value-packed vintages. In the following Wall Street Journal article, "Wines for the Times" , well-known oenophiles offer advice on everything from champagne alternatives (try cost-friendly prosecco instead) to the best bargains (like the spicy red wine from the Minervois-La Liviniere region, in southern France). In** "Lively Reds, a Bargain for Hard Times"**, New York Times wine editor Eric Asimov praises another little-known region, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, for its bright, juicy reds and recommends a handful of bottles that cost less than $25. For more inexpensive options, check out "Easy on the Wallet" , a roundup of terrific bottles from such diverse locations as Oregon and South Africa, all for $10 or less.—Julie Wilson, SAVEUR