Some recent (cheaper) enjoyable "go-to" wines:
Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr Gewurztraminer Reserve 2004 (£8.5, ~ US$17 / €11)
A ripe nose of lychee and perhaps a touch of canned pineapple and spice. The palate is appropriately oily-viscous but with good acidity to keep it from being cloying - it's actually very well balanced - and a slightly mineral finish. True to type - this is the kind of wine I'd present to someone if I wanted to show them what Alsatian Gewurz was like - and at a decent price. Their Pinot Gris is pretty good too.
Domaine de Coyeux Beaumes de Venise (rouge) 2003 (£8, ~ US$16 / €10)
A red fruit orientated nose of raspberry and raspberry seed. Initially there are slightly animal (cow hide) and earthy notes but they seem to disappear with air. There's quite some tannin which is texturally smooth yet quite puckering. Nice with BBQed rump steak.
Bodegas El Coto Coto de Imaz Rioja Reserva 2001 (£12, ~ US$24 / €16)
This has a slight browny hue and a sweet nose of stewed plum with some vanilla. The palate is fairly light and shows less fruit than I might like to see, and the acidity is a little high for the lower fruit and body, but that lends this wine a somewhat refreshing quality. I'd put it somewhere between modern and traditional. I suspect some might be disappointed by this, and it is a bit pricey for what you get, but I still think it provides simple enjoyable drinking.