Wine on a budget: What Oregon and Washington have to offer under $15

Remember in the 1970s when we first started drinking wine at parties and with meals? Sweet and fruity best described what we were swilling. Back then my wine came to the table in a rounded bottle from Italy with the straw netting on the outside. In the years since, our palettes -- shall we say -- have matured.
Now I like my whites on the dry side with a bit of a fresh finish. My reds... bold and rich.
I also like a bargain...especially on a retirement budget.
If there's any good news out of the Great Recession for wine lovers it's that producers around the world found themselves with an oversupply of high-priced product ($40-plus per bottle) sitting unsold in their warehouses because consumers pulled back on their wine budgets.
They didn't so much stop drinking but bought at a cheaper price point. They also went less often to eat at fine dining restaurants where wine would be part of the meal. Prices are down on some really great wines.
The experts say they will stay down because of oversupply with some wineries still battling for cash flow. Also good news is that supermarket chains are expanding the price range on wines on their shelves with more choices at both ends of the spectrum. So what can you get for $15 and under? Plenty.
Those snooty wine experts have begun to comment favorably on Oregon and Washington wines that offer quality at a reasonable price. Here's a short list of good, reasonably priced Northwest wines from http://www.gayot.com/ and www.cruwineonline.com.

Civello
2003 Pinot Gris
Rogue Valley, OR
$15

Willamette Valley
2006 Pinot Gris
Willamette Valley, OR
$15

Washington
Pacific Rim - Riesling
Columbia Valley, Washington 2009
$11

DiStefano - Sauvignon Blanc
Columbia Valley, Washington 2009
$15

Hogue - Gewurztraminer
Columbia Valley, Washington 2009
$11

Castle Rock - Chardonnay
Columbia Valley, Washington 2009
$10

Charles & Charles - 'Volume II' Rosé
Columbia Valley, Washington 2009
$11

The Magnificent Wine Company - Steak House Red
Columbia Valley, Washington 2007
$10

Snoqualmie - 'Naked' Merlot
Columbia Valley, Washington 2008
$12

Columbia Crest - 'Two Vines' Vineyard 10 Red
Washington 2008
$8

Chateau Ste. Michelle - Syrah
Columbia Valley, Washington 2007
$13

Boomtown by Dusted Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley, Washington 2007
$15

Seven Hills
2007 Pinot Gris
Oregon
$16

Ponzi Vineyards

2007 Pinot Gris
Willamette Valley, OR
$17