2007 Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera

Whether the stock market rebounds or not, everyone can use a great little Barbera at a great price. That would be the 2007 Briccotondo from Fontanafredda. All right, it is not exactly limited in quantity, so wine geek points are exactly zilch. However, it is a gorgeous ruby-red and frisky in the glass, sending out scents of blackberries, plums and flowers. Fruity, yet dry with a lovely lip-smacking finish, it's awfully easy on the palate too.

Barbera from Piedmont is among the most versatile of wines. Its acidity makes it ideal with salumi or sausages. It's soft enough to play well with pasta and risotto -- you can even make your risotto with a cup of the wine and save the rest for drinking. The same goes for a brasato, or braised beef dish.