Just hosted a wine tasting event for a club of mine last night - budget was ~$12.50 per bottle. Some of the winners were:
Aveleda vinho verde: super light and refreshing (perfect hot summer afternoon quaff), touch of carbonation, the crowd (for the most part unexperienced palates, not paying too much attention to what they're drinking) certainly enjoyed it, nothing complex in any way but quite enjoyable and perfect for an event like this, as for $6 a bottle it allows budget to be spent elsewhere

Coopers Creek sauvignon blanc, marlborough NZ: top crowd favorite, pretty much what you'd expect from NZ sauv blanc, but not quite as sharp and aggressively grassy/herbal as many at this price point, nice ($10.99/bottle).
Dr. Konstantin Semi Dry Riesling, finger lakes NY: not too sweet by any means, nice peachy/floral profile, $12.99/bottle
Wine by Joe Pinot Noir, 2011, Oregon: The most expensive at $14.49/bottle, very subtle flavors, quite light, nice touch of earth/spice
Ondarre Rioja Riserva, 2006: A nice Rioja for $12.99/bottle, lovely dark red fruits with a bit of cassis. Barrel aging is clear but doesn't overshadow the fruits, fairly well balanced
Penfolds Thomas Hyland Shiraz, 2011, Adelaide AU: Deep and inky, lots of dark fruit, blackberry, chocolate/coffee notes, not as strong/bold in fruitiness as expected, but with a touch of barnyard which I tend to enjoy, personally. $12.99/bottle
Not super in depth notes, but really just overall impressions from the next evening. Couldn't exactly be focused on tasting, as well, given I was serving. Did get to try all 10 wines though!
