It's always good to find an inexpensive wine that's good, but it's even better to do so in economically uncertain times. Like now. For some reason there's an unusually large number of relatively inexpensive wines in the Vintages Release of August 6, which is fine by me. Here are some good bets:

Les Vignerons de Visan Cotes du Rhone-Villages 2007

The ideal choice for the anti-capitalist: wine made by a village cooperative. Still common in many parts of the Rhone Valley, village co-ops produce wines from the grapes of many local growers, who are usually stakeholders. The co-ops offer economies of scale for both production and marketing, and also tanks of cheap table wine they'll hose out to customers for as little as a buck a litre. But never mind about that - this is the better stuff.

Rich nose on the darker side, with woody notes over ripe red berry fruit. Medium bodied on the palate, the acidity is good and tannins are moderate, so it's smooth. Nice finish with lots of fruit made more serious by the well integrated woody/darker notes. Vintages 179234 | $12.95

Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes 2010
This is a good example of Argentina's signature white done right. Super aromatic, with floral notes, some lichee and sweet lemon. Then it's nicely dry on the palate - acidity is good and there are some greener fruit notes which resolve back to almost waxy white fruit. No torrontes bitterness and a nice finish. Vintages 1834 | $11.95

Chilensis Reserva Carmenere 2010
From Argentina's own to Chile's own: nowhere else is carmenere grown in significant quantities and the Chileans continue to improve their vinification techniques for this sometimes rough red. With this one you'll get a rich and dark nose with cherry and raspberry under charred wood and spice notes. Nice and dry on the palate even though there's lots of ripe red fruit. Rather short finish, but nice wine overall. Vintages 657981 | $12.95

Pierre & Bertrand Couly Chinon Rose 2010
Somewhat garish silver label, but look past that to the muted nose with delicate red fruit. On the palate it's clean, fresh and dry, with some sweetish cranberry notes. Nice finish. Vintages 226654 | $12.95

Another one I just scribbled about is Emiliana Adobe Reserva Syrah 2009. "Simple but dark and full" is all I wrote on this Chilean. But it's not only organic, it's also only $12.95 (Vintages 213553), so I'd say take a chance.

The Bargains Don't Stop...
If you can pry open your wallet a little further, there are some other fine choices: my fave bargain champagne Cattier is back. Rich and complex yet fresh like the big boys, but only $39.95 (Vintages 919464). Another good French sparkler is La Maison du Cremant Brut Cremant de Bourgogne. Lively mousse, fresh acidity, smooth and clean, light and lemony. (1278811, $16.95)

Back down in the mid-teens, there's yet more decent value.  13th Street White Palette 2010 is a fragrant, full and smooth white blend from Niagara, off dry but nice balance of acidity. (207340, $14.95). Another Niagara deal is Henry of Pelham Pinot Blanc 2010, with a rich nose of canned pears, lemon zest and floral, then dry with a mineral note. (618827, $14.95). Or head south to Napa for a Clos du Val Chardonnay 2008. It's got a rich nose with darker woody notes over ripe white fruit. Fresh acidity lifts up the apple, cedar and smoke. Very Cali - have it with grilled or roast chicken. (652933, $14.95).

Even normally pricey New Zealand steps up (or is that down?) this month with Sileni Cellar Selection Pinot Gris 2010. Clean fresh nose with white fruit and a bit of spice. Smooth on the palate, which is dry. Good acidity and a bit of citrus, then it's back to ripe white fruit on the finish (32292, $14.95). From Chile, there's Anakena Lilen Single Vineyard Viognier 2010, which has the characteristic aromatics on the nose plus peach and tropical notes, then smooth and ripe on the palate with a slight sweet note (45138, $13.95). Finally, if you're feeling more austere, head to France for Domaine Bois-Malinge Muscadet Sevre et Maine 2009. Fresh nose of lemon with a tangy note of salt. Fresh, light and dry on the palate, which has high acidity and a saline note over delicate fruit. (224246, $13.95)

Want any of these wines? Copy and paste the wine name or Vintages code number into the search box on the LCBO website to check availability near you.