AskCat.com/Wine

I considered focusing this post on PLONK but there are so many highly drinkable, good quality wines under $10 that I thought the P-word a bit of a slur. On the heels of a recession and during this season of peak consumption, having a few inexpensive wines on hand is where smart meets hospitable. And making sure they're good ones means you can go beyond your own guilty pleasure to use them as quick, simple gifts for friends, neighbours and hosts.

I'm no sommelier, but my current picks for house wine are very pleasing to the palette and the pocketbook. Props to the Toronto Life Where to Get Good Stuff Cheap issue for a few new discoveries. Prices listed below are current at the LCBO.

Glug glug, ahem, chin chin.

Reds

Argento Malbec (Argentina) $9.95

Casal Thaulero Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Italy) $6.95

Whites

Cono Sur Viognier (Chile) $9.95

Dunavar Muscat Ottonel $8.35

Bubbly

Villa Sandi Prosecco (Italy) $14.85