Value Wines of the Year
>Joshua Greene and Tara Q. Thomas profile the most consistent performers at $10 and under.

Tasting On The Cheap
>Wine tastings aren't all snooty, high-priced affairs: W&S visits 10 cities nationwide for a roundup of fun and affordable chances to taste new wines.

Vodka Variations
>Don't all vodkas taste the same? David Lynch corrals all the top vodkas for a head-to-head comparison, and investigates whether all the fancy talk on the bottles translates into noticeable distinctions among brands. Harriet Lembeck reports on the W&S panel tasting results.

Valleys In The Sky
>The mountains of Napa are ground zero for some of the region's most concentrated‹and coveted‹red wines. Rod Smith reports from above the fog line.

Three Faces of Merlot
>Merlot is more than just a simple, juicy quaffer for everyday drinking. W&S visits the people and places taking merlot to greater heights, in search of the ultimate expression of this widely planted yet mysterious grape.

PLUS:

• June Tasting Stats
• Top 10 Merlots
• American Merlot
• Value Varietals & Regional Blends
• Portuguese Varietal Wines
• American New Releases
• Imported New Releases