I needed a couple of bottles of wine for dinner, but didn’t want to make a special trip to a wine store. So I looked for wine when I was out running errands, using my advice about buying wine for dinner.

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The result was the Dry Creek ($10, purchased, available at World Market), which comes from a standout California producer whose dry chenin blanc has long been one of my favorites. I wanted sauvignon blanc for dinner (oven fried chicken), saw this on the shelf, knew that I liked the chenin, and so bought it.

The fume, which is sauvignon blanc under another name, is made in the classic California sauvignon blanc style, with grassy aromas and front, and a tropical middle. Don’t expect any big, New Zealand-style grapefruit; the wine has some citrus, but is more restrained than its Kiwi cousins. The finish is a little disjointed, as if it doesn’t know how to end; all in all, though, it’s a heck of a bargain for $10.

Serve this with most white meat dishes, as well as salads. It would also, as befits any sauvignon blanc, pair with shrimp and other boiled seafood.