Thank you all for the terrific suggestions for wines. Some of these are unavailable in NH, but others will be purchased over the coming months to try.
Dogpile, I'd have to say that I do enjoy the Clos du Bois reds and white, Kendall Jackson chardonnay, and I can't remember the California brand but the cab with Marylin Monroe's picture on it was very nice. Two spectacular wines that were recently given to me as gifts, so I don't know their prices and which don't seem to be available locally are Healdsburg Vineyards 1999 California Merlot and Pighin 2001 Pinot Grigio from Risano Italy. The merlot was balanced, rich and smooth, and the pinot grigio was smooth and not overly fruity which I don't like in whites nor acidic which seems to accompany Italian wines. I think that's why I like nice chardonnays like Cakebread (too expensive for me except on special occassions), because of the clean, crisp and smooth hint of honey taste.
Dogpile, I'd have to say that I do enjoy the Clos du Bois reds and white, Kendall Jackson chardonnay, and I can't remember the California brand but the cab with Marylin Monroe's picture on it was very nice. Two spectacular wines that were recently given to me as gifts, so I don't know their prices and which don't seem to be available locally are Healdsburg Vineyards 1999 California Merlot and Pighin 2001 Pinot Grigio from Risano Italy. The merlot was balanced, rich and smooth, and the pinot grigio was smooth and not overly fruity which I don't like in whites nor acidic which seems to accompany Italian wines. I think that's why I like nice chardonnays like Cakebread (too expensive for me except on special occassions), because of the clean, crisp and smooth hint of honey taste.