Q: Can you suggest a couple of good Merlots between $10 and $15?

A: Merlot is one of the more popular varietals, particularly when it comes to red wines. It's especially popular among those who enjoy fruitier flavors (but not necessarily sweet) and less tannins (the astringent substance in the grape skins that makes you kind of pucker as you sip--like a cup of freshly-brewed unsweetened tea). The market is loaded with plenty of good (and bad) examples of Merlot, but here are a few of my favorite in that price range:

• Clos Du Bois, Sonoma County
• Callaway Coastal
• Beringer, Founders' Reserve