Banfi, Rosa Regale, Brachetto D'Acqui, 2007 (Italy) - I was very pleased with this find.  An alternative to champagne and cava, this is a $22 rose in a classy bottle from Italy made with the unusual Brachetto grape (pronounced braw-ket-toe I believe).  It has a unique flavor with substantial strawberry, raspberry, and some things I can't put my finger on, a slight touch of sweet but not overdone, and a subtle effervescence.  Both Nancy and I really liked it.  I've seen this distinctive bottle in many different stores over the years so quite possibly this is an ubiquitous wine with good marketing, but I don't care, I really liked it.  I'd sure rather have this than a standard sparkling white.  In fact I'm giving this an 8 out of 10, a pretty high score for me.  We savored every drop from this bottle and look foward to the next one some day.

Tanca Farra, Alghero, Tenute Sella & Mosca, 2003 (Italy) - This handsome wine had a dark bottle with glass embossing, a content of 50% Cannonau and 50% Cab Sauv (I thought Cannonau was new to me), and no price tag at the display.  So I chose it expecting to get a new grape.  At the register the price turned out to be $28, yow!, and I'm really not sure why I went ahead and bought it.  Then it turned out Cannonau is the Italian name for Grenache, and yeah I really like Grenache but I was a little sad this wasn't a new grape for me.  Anyway, the wine was very very good.  Like the French Regis de Taxis I reviewed before I'd describe this wine as having a remarkably fresh taste.  It was bold yet not overdone, genuinely refreshing for a dark red, and had the classic Grenache flavors you'd naturally expect.  I'd say this wine could even compete with many Chataneuf-du-Papf.  So my pricey experiment turned out to be very rewarding.  I'll go 8 out of 10, again a very rare high score from me.

Xarmant, Txakoli, 2007 (Spain) - This is the Hondarrabi Zuri grape and we tried it at work as part of our tasting group.  A universal hit.  Our curiousity was peaked when we read on our grapes poster that it has hints of salt water taffy.  Seemed like a tall order but yes, yes it does.  You get a refreshing white, tart, hints of citrus, and with salt.  Fun.  Not an expensive wine yet very enjoyable and fun.  And I'll note I had a separate Txakolina from Ulacia reviewed earlier and it had very similar characteristics although it wasn't pure Hondarrabi Zuri, so what I think we're really thrilled with is the overall Basque style called Txakolina.  I'll give this 7 out of 10 for above average.

La caplana, Dolcetto D'Ovada, 2006 (Italy) - Another tried in our wine tasting group.  A very dark red with nice bold sour cherry flavor.  Pretty dry actually and my impression is this sample was more dry than you usually find with Dolcetto - a name which means "little sweet one".  It was affordable and tasty, it really did well for itself.  I'd put it equivalent to a standard upper average quality Cabernet Sauvignon which is why I'll score it a 6 out of 10.

Santonegro, Macabeo, 2006 (Spain) - Although it's labelled Macabeo the back label says it's 15% Airen so this isn't a pure sample.  I found it interesting but not outstanding.  The flavor reminded me of a Viognier but as a much more lightweight version.  If you let the glass warm up a little it takes on a slight taste of bitter, not unpleasant, maybe reminiscent of the melon rind I've used to describe cheaper Viogniers in the past.  Anyway, the wine is fine but I'll only score it 5 out of 10 for lower average.