The good news is that inexpensive, everyday Bordeaux wines are widely available in the US, ranging from under $10 to $25.  The major names to look for on the label are: 

Basic Bordeaux red, rose, white, semi-sweet and sparkling wines, from the greater Bordeaux region.  Reds predominantly merlot and whites predominantly sauvignon blanc.  Bordeaux  and Bordeaux Superieure appellations represent about half of the 60 million or so cases the region produces each year.  Bordeaux Superieure requires slightly higher minimum potential alcohol, slightly lower yields/hectare and for the red wines, longer minimum ageing of …

While consumers discover the range of alternative white wines, sauvignon blanc remains truly one of the world’s greatest varietal wines and is still one of the major go-to wines in restaurants for its bright acidity, citrusy flavors and aromatic appeal.  Sauvignon blanc reflects the climates and styles where it is grown and made.  In the Loire’s Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume, the wine is lighter bodied, flinty and restrained, while in the Napa Valley, it is full-bodied and fruit-driven.  New Zealand is in a class by itself, with exaggerated aromas of kaffir limes and fresh …