Beef With Wine

I hope Sue and her tax-lawyer husband have lots of money (“Tastings: A Walking-Around Chardonnay,” Sept. 22). I don’t know what it is about wine writers because they always choose and recommend expensive wines. That’s easy--in fact, I’ve never tasted an American wine selling for $15-$22 that wasn’t excellent. I feel you should also recommend the best “value wines” in this group and I would place Meridian, Kendall-Jackson and Lindeman’s--all well under $10. At an open house, nine out of 10 people don’t know anything about wine.

MYRON OAKES

San Marino

In reference to your article on Sangiovese (“Sangiovese in a Golden State,” Sept. 8), I am troubled by your statement that Barbera has not flourished in California. Excuse me, but who are you kidding? There are some fine examples of Barbera grown and produced within California. Bonny Doon’s Ca del Solo label of Barbera and Boeger’s Barbera are but two fantastic examples. Other than that, I thought the reviews were quite good, though I would have included Flora Springs’ Sangiovese, which not only is an outstanding value, but scored well in the Wine Spectator and is a personal favorite.

PHILLIP HAND

From the Internet