A few days ago I was at the Wine & Spirits Hot Picks party here in Seattle, featuring 50 of the best deals in wine for under $25. Most were under $15. If you’re just starting to get the wine bug, this show is a must. In short: an impressive and diverse line up, many non-mainstream grapes, and lots of wines repped by smaller importers. (Find the W&S party nearest you)

I’ve seen people try to pull off an event like this, too often, with nothing but the Kraft singles version of wine and shit for food. This party was singular in that they took the wine, the food and their guests seriously. They take you seriously. Not all the wines were to my personal taste, but I would recommend every single one of them on taste and price alone.**

Here were some of my favorite hotties:

Domaine Wachau 2004 Federspiel Grüner Veltliner - Importer Vin Di Vino is an untouchable as far as I’m concerned. I love everything they import from Southern France, Italy, and especially Austria. Want to know what the fuss is all about with Austrian wines? Start here. Aromas and flavors that slip from fruity to veggie to herbal (in a good way) and my favorite flavor on these kinds of whites–that of the 6 day window of the nectarine season. ($12-15)

La Vielle Ferme Rosé - Known as “the chicken wine” to my old customers, this label has three flavors: white, pink, and red. Owned by Perrin and imported by one of my fav little/big guys, Vineyard Brands, these wines are awesome values ($6.99 or less) that should be no trouble to find. W&S featured the pink, a sweet/tart strawberry number with some zippy spice. Drink cold, with copious amounts of coppa, basil, and melon. (the Perrin family also blogs)

Plozner 2004 Tocai Friulano - I can’t say it any better than Google translates their site:

…you are surprised yourselves if the colors are not just cargos, the wine is! Much typical for scholastic notes of bitter almond and some enough intense mineral feeling, it enters decidedly in yielded mouth, with recognizable notes of peach; in the end the varietali feelings of almond amara.

That’s what I was going to say. Oh, and that Northern Italian whites don’t get enough respect. ($10-14)