I’ve been quite spendy over the last few weeks, something that comes with the holiday territory. So I’m pretty confident I’m not alone in wanting to rein it in as far as my budget is concerned, and this also extends to the wine department.

In B.C. Liquor Stores, there are hundreds of options under the $12 mark—but the decent-quality, enjoyable options are few. Here are a dozen wines under 12 bucks in a variety of styles that will help with any fiscal New Year’s resolutions you have. All are widely available at B.C. Liquor Stores; I haven’t included vintages because these selections tend to be remarkably consistent from year to year.

Smart Grasshopper Gruner Veltliner
(Hungary, $9.99)
While we’re more familiar with Grüner Veltliners coming out of Austria, this Hungarian version is just as zippy with lime and crisp minerality as we’re accustomed to. Fresh and vibrant, it’ll sing with seafood.

Fazi Battaglia Verdicchio Classico Titulus 2.0
(Italy, $10.49)
An Italian classic that’s overflowing with lemon and floral notes. Pairing wine with sushi can be difficult, but I’m happy to report that this bottle works quite well.

Cono Sur Gewurztraminer
(Chile, $10.99)
This is textbook Gewürztraminer, flooding litchi and rosewater with a fresh spritz of citrus. Straddling the line between dry and off-dry, this is a good go-to for spicy fare like Thai curries and Korean dishes.

Dunavar Pinot Grigio
(Hungary, $10.99)
Year in and year out, I marvel at the lip-smacking, juicy deliciousness of this perennial Pinot Grigio. Apples and pears abound; give it a whirl with fried chicken or grilled pork.

Gazela Vinho Verde
(Portugal, $10.99)
There’s a touch of a natural sparkle to this citrusy, bright Portuguese white. A balance of vibrant acidity and fresh minerality keeps it singing to the last drop. Serve it ultra-chilled with fish and chips or a caesar salad with grilled chicken.

Three Winds Viognier
(France, $10.99)
For those who are looking for a richer, full-flavoured white. Chock full of apricots, peaches, nectarines, and a few drops of honey, it manages to carry plenty of fruit without coming close to being cloying. A small hint of residual sugar makes it keen to work with South Asian cuisine and spicier dishes.

Jose Maria da Fonseca Periquita
(Portugal, $9.99)
There are a zillion grape varieties that are native to Portugal, and this hearty red is made with three of ’em. Castelão, Trincadeira, and Aragonez make up the blend that results in dark, brambly berry fruit with currants and a few plucks of thyme. Bring on the steak or beef satay.

SALENTO Mezzomondo Negroamaro
(Italy, $9.99)
Coming from Puglia, the heel of Italy, the indigenous Negroamaro variety carries Italian plum, blackberry, and dried black olive characteristics with a baker’s rack of spices, including clove, nutmeg, and allspice. A hearty stew on a rainy winter night will have it hitting
its stride.

Farnese fantini Sangiovese
(Italy, $9.99)
The native grape of the Chianti region is in full effect here, boasting purple fruit and pepper with a good lashing of dusty tannins and extra-juicy quaffability. A charmer that will have you ordering in pizza after your first sip.

Bodegas Castano La Casona Monastrell
(Spain, $9.99)
Juicy black fruit is front and centre in this Spanish wonder, vibrant with star anise and spicy clove. Go old-school with a grilled steak smothered in black-peppercorn sauce.

Cono Sur Pinot Noir
(Chile, $11.49)
This is the second Cono Sur wine in this column, and that’s no accident. The popular Chilean brand offers some of the best value on shelves, regardless of variety. What I like about the Pinot Noir in particular is that it actually tastes like the Pinot Noir grape. This may seem like an odd thing to say, but I find that most cheap Pinots just taste like simple berry fruit with no dimension or character. This bottle has everything you’d want: there’s the berry fruit in there, but there’s also echoes of wild mushroom and truffle, a hint of earthiness, and great perfumed, plummy notes.

Bodegas Castano Lujuria
(Spain, $9.99)
If I only had room for one wine in this week’s column, this is the one I’d present. Mighty impressive at just under 10 bucks, this blend of Merlot and Monastrell is well balanced with cherries, plums, and blackcurrant as well as a touch of spice and a hint of basil. Soft tannins and good acidity make this the total package. Wild mushroom risotto, shepherd’s pie, grilled meats—there aren’t many dishes that wouldn’t enjoy its company.