No matter how many times you have asked a wine salesman for a recommendation, it is amazing that he or she can come up with something new. There is no dearth of excellent yet unknown wines to discover.

So we challenged several wine retailers and here is what they suggested:

Cookoothama Chardonnay 2008 ($10.99). "Aromas of peach and melon greet you with slight hints of spice and vanilla. On the palate, white fruit and nectarine with spice leading to a crisp, dry finish. This is a perfect summer wine from Australia and matches well with shellfish or with friends on the patio."

Elm Tree Malbec 2007 ($9.99). "This deep ruby wine hits you with berries, plums and da hint cocoa on the nose. On the palate, the Argentinian wine is full-bodied with well-balanced tannins with wonderful spicy flavors. Perfect with anything off the grill."

Anton Bauer Gruner Veltliner 2007 ($11.99). "A wonderful alternative white, these wines range in flavors from soft and easy to big, rich and sometimes creamy. This gruner veltliner from Austria shows subtle flavors of pippin apples with a clean fresh, citrusy crispness and a minerally finish."

Ten Mile Wine Co. "The Broken Road" Red 2007 ($10.99). I love blended wines because they always bring a little personality to the table. This wine is an interesting, unfiltered red blend of petite sirah, barbera, zinfandel and carignane from dry-farmed, old-vine vineyards. Lovely dark purple hues with aromas of black raspberry and tea. Nicely structured in a medium-bodied, supple style."

Star Tree Chardonnay 2008 ($10.99). "Completely unoaked, this is the bright clean refreshing chardonnay that is perfect for brutally hot and humid days. Hints of tropical fruit weave themselves in and out of a crisp, citrus-driven wine that explodes across the tongue. This is a great wine to serve with summer's lighter fare such as tossed salads, cold sandwiches and simply-prepared flaky fish, such as flounder."

Chateau Les Ormes 2005 ($9.99). "Comprised of 50 percent cabernet sauvignon, about 40 percent merlot and 10 percent cabernet franc, this is a wine that proves what young Bordeauxs from stellar vintages can be: simple, yet elegant, straight-forward, clean and ultimately satisfying. This wine offers copious red and black fruit like cherry, plum and more subtle vanilla and spice-box flavors that intermingle with soft tannins. This is burger wine, baby, pure and simple. With little gems like this in your cellar, you can feel like a Rockefeller any day!"

Manoir du Carra Beaujolais Villages 2007 ($11.89). "This is a true Beaujolais Villages! None of the yeasts that produce bananas, bubble gum or cotton candy are used. This is free-run juice and is really pretty. I can't think of a more appropriate red wine for summer grilling and relaxing."

La Vigne D'Argent Bordeaux Blanc 2007 ($10.79). "This is a sauvignon blanc and semillon blend put together by Francois Thienpont of Vieux Chateau Certain, one of the most expensive reds from Bordeaux. Not a lot of over-the-top citrus – just rich body with lots of life. A perfect white wine for summer cooking, especially if there is a sauce."

Villa Romanti Pinot Grigio 2008 ($8.99). "Hand-selected grapes are gently pressed and fermented, producing a soft, appealing wine with a citrus edge and a light, bitter finish. Enjoy this wine with white meat and soft cheeses."

Cecchi Bonizio Sangiovese di Maremma ($9.29). "Bright red color with aromas and flavors of simple cherry and spice. Soft berries on the mid-palate. Beautiful wine to serve with semi-soft cheeses and red meats."

Sterling Meritage ($10.99). "Classic blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec and petit verdot from some of California's best appellations. This richly...