Concha Y Toro Explorador 2009 (about $10): Nuances of black cherry, currant, and berry with a touch of vanilla on the finish highlight this enjoyable wine from Chile.

This wine isn’t going to blow you away, but hey, for only ten bucks, it’s not too bad. I paired it with a bacon and mushroom pizza and it held up nicely with tannins that are prevelant but not overwhelming.

In’Ka 2009 Pinot Noir (about $14): This well made, well priced Pinot Noir from Chile (yes, Chile) is surprisingly good, with all the classic flavor characteristics of an Old World pinot.

Bright berry flavors lead to an intriguing finish with toasted spice and smoky/earthy notes. Great with a lightly seasoned pork or duck entree.

The price listed is currently available for retail at CJ Wijns, located in Birch Bay. A visit to this destination restaurant and wine tasting venue is highly recommended.

I’ve been talking quite a bit about wine values as of late and I’m continuing to receive inquiries about wines to recommend that will provide good enjoyment at reasonable prices.

For value-priced wines, you can’t overlook Argentina as a great place to start. The leader in South American wine production is building up quite a nice reputation for reliable, flavorful wines that are now easier than ever to purchase in local markets.

Today’s suggestions are all priced at $15 a bottle or less and represent excellent value for the money.

Looking for a light, refreshing white wine to start the evening? Try the Viña Tabali 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (pictured at left, about $12). Citrus and mint aromas lead to green herbs, eucalyptus, and mineral notes on the palate with a gentle kiss of grapefruit and lime on the finish. Pair it with a salad of fresh greens or perhaps later in the meal with a lightly seasoned white fish such as halibut or sole. Available at The Market at Fairhaven.

The Casa Marguery 2008 Malbec (about $15) drinks a bit more like an Old World malbec rather than one from Argentina, with reserved blackberry and cassis flavors and a dash of acidity. The wine’s ample tannins make it an ideal candidate to pair with anything beef. You’ll find it at The Vines wine shop in downtown Bellingham.

Another good red wine choice is the Carlos Basso Dos Fincas 2008 Cabernet/Merlot. It’s full of berry, red plum and cherry flavors with a pleasant earthy/woodsy finish and supple tannins. Nicely priced at only about $10 a bottle and available at all area Haggen stores.

For dessert, try the Carlos Basso 2007 Late Harvest Tardio. This lovely blend of equal parts sauvignon blanc, viognier and sauvignon gris comes in an unusually sized 500-milliliter bottle (about $15). Aromas and flavors of peach, honey and vanilla are balanced by a touch of citrus that keeps the wine from being overly sweet. Look for it at the Community Food Co-Op Cordata location.

South America is also a terrific place to look for bargain-priced wines. A couple of examples: the Doña Paula Los Cardos 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (about $9) from Argentina’s Mendoza region. It displays hints of green herb, menthol, and mint on the nose and lime and gooseberry flavors without the strong burst of acidity, leaving it with a soft, almost delicate finish.

And from Chile’s Maipo Valley, try the Santa Ema 2007 Reserve Merlot (pictured at left, about $12). It’s full of dark plum flavors followed by an unmistakable finish of vanilla bean that lingers into a butterscotch twist. Interesting, unique, and great value for the money.

Today’s question: Is it worth the effort to try and track down wines that deliver good taste at the lower end of the price spectrum?

Before I answer that, let me define “lower priced.” The $7 a bottle and under category? Let’s not even go there, for the simple reason that at that price range you’re going to be flirting with some pretty marginal wine that you probably wouldn’t even want to use in cooking.

My experience is that $8 to $12 a bottle represents a better starting point; because it’s there that you’ll begin to discover some hidden gems by doing a little digging around.

This may involve reverting to the old trial and error method, where you’re strolling past the wine section, see a $9.99 sale sticker and wonder if you should give the wine a try. Or perhaps you might get lucky by keeping an open ear for a favorable critical review or a recommendation from a friend.

In any of these cases, if you’re hesitant to take the plunge I’d say by all means do it, since you’ve got so little to lose. Spending $10 and finding a good wine…that’s definitely something that falls into the low risk/high reward category. If works out, terrific, you’ve found a great deal, and if not, your investment is so small there’s less chance of “wine anxiety,” where you spend a fair amount of money only to find out later that the wine doesn’t deliver.

Let me give you a suggestion for starters, and then I’ll follow this up with a few more wines in the $8 to $12 price range next week. The Tilia 2007 Merlot from Argentina’s Mendoza region is an excellent value at only about $10 a bottle. With a fragrant aroma of berries and red cherry, its fruit-forward characteristics are balanced by a touch of chocolate and supple tannins on a soft, well-rounded finish. Bring on the beef and enjoy.