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Chilean wine Cono Sur makes a good sauv blanc and pinot noir, while Aussie vino Wyndham Estate also does a great budget pinot noir.

I think the economic downturn will have more people drinking at home so I think budget wine is seriously recession proof.

Malbecs - Yes! Just started trying them, don't have too many varieties here. They taste very strong to me, so I drink slower, therefore saving me some money, haha!

I have also started drinking more whites which, at least where I am, tend to be a little cheaper than reds. Pinot grigios and chardonneys, yum! Plus, while whites are wonderful in the spring and summer, for my palate, they tend to match well with fall foods - turkey, root vegetables, etc. And isn't part of the enjoyment of wine is drinking what YOU like, with good food and friends, and not necessarily what is trendy, hip, expensive???