In the wine world, the word “bargain” does not necessarily equate to “inexpensive.” There are $12 and $25 and even $50 wines that are bargains, bringng the thunder in what I called “great oomph for the moolah” in this week’s Liquid Assets.

Here are a pair of mixed cases of wine that shouldn’t cost more than $150 (averaging $11.50-$12) and $200 (averaging $15):

The $150 Case:

Whites: Szermeley Pinot Gris from Hungary; Clean Slate Riesling from Germany; Foris Gewurztraminer and Hedges CMS blend from Washington; Le Poule Blanche blend from France; Murphy-Goode Fume Blanc (made by Minnesota native Dave Ready Jr.) from California.

Reds:  Falesco Vitiano blend and Castello Monaci Mara Negroamano from Italy; Vivir, Vivir Ribera del Duero from Spain; Plantation 1905 from France; Bogle Petite Sirah and Marietta Old Vine blend from California.

The $200 case:

Whites: Four Vines Naked Chardonnay and Abundance Bountiful Blanc blend from California; Laulerie Montravel Bordeaux Blanc and Domaine Labbe Abymes Vine de Savoies from France; Martin Codax Albarinio Rias Braxas from Spain; Inama Soave Classico from Italy.

Reds: Mandolin Pinot Noir from California; Chateau Saint-Sulspice Rouge from Bordeaux; Piatelli Premium Malbec from Argentina; Santa Rita Reserve Carmenere from Chile; Kiona Lemberger from Washington, Casa Santos Lima Quinta Das Setencostas from Spain.

The usual caveats: No store will have all of these at a given time, but you can ask for something similar in that price range. Some of these wines will be above the average price, but it should even out. And again, many merchants will give you a 10-percent discount on a mixed case. (In this economy, all of them should, I say.)

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