Consumer Reports, December 2011 issue:

Best buy Shiraz and Zinfandel just in time for the parties of the season. All $10 or less. It may be worthy to check them out:

Shiraz  (Syrah):

• Alice White   $7  Mix of jammy black fruit with spicy licorice and caramelized notes on finish.  A trace of bitterness, leather and brown sugar adds interest.
• The Little Penguin   $7    Strong wood and char flavors followed by jammy black-fruit flavors on finish.
• Yellow Tail  $7    Tasty red and black fruit with prominent vanilla and hint of cinanamon flavor.

Zinfandel:

• Dancing Bull    $10  Tasty from beginning to end: good structure and well-balanced, with a soft fruity finish.
• Old Moon (Trader Joe’s exclusive)   $6   Nice, easy drinking, jammy. Light on structure but lost of fruit.
• Bogle     $10   Supple, easy easy drinking, with red and black fruit and soft wood flavors. Traces of alcohol and bitterness.

Best choices from tests of 35 products.

Wines Stoppers by Ronaldo Costa, Orlando Florida