PCP, don't forget the Italian dolchettos. They're great with home made pizzas and with pasta dishes (a little for the sauce a little for the cook, a little more for the cook).
A little lighter and sweeter than chianti.
Also ask your local wine dealer about "damaged" bottles. If there's a case with a broken bottle and the labels on the other bottles are stained they sell those bottles as "damaged". My local guy buys up all the damaged bottles from the distributers. I've gotten some great deals that way and have tried some cool wine I might not have tried otherwise.
I've also found some of the box wines to be pretty drinkable. With wine price is not an indicator of quality.
Jim