I think I've established that I - like most people - love a sale.

Especially a big sale. Now that I've moved, I live so close to a Raley's that I could knock on the door and ask to borrow a cup of sugar.

This means that I find more nifty cool wines to buy more often, which is a good or bad thing depending on the day of the week..

Not a wine, but a great price this month on Momokawa Saké. Brewed in Oregon, this premium (called ginjo) saké comes in a variety of options, including the sweeter unfiltered nigori variety. It's cloudy and called Pearl. I have yet to conduct a taste test between Diamond, Ruby and Pearl, but I'm working on it.

OK, some of you are going, "hold up there, Miss Alyssa, I thought saké WAS a rice wine?"

Not really, it's actually brewed - like a beer. In fact the saké master at Geikekkan in Folsom used to be the brewmaster at Sierra Nevada. (See, this is why you should go on their plant tour on a day off. You learn fun facts to throw out at random times, like to the checker at a Raley's late on a Friday night. I'm too cool for school, what can I say?)

It's a great time to try Momokawa since a bottle is less than $10 right now. Serve it chilled.

(Shopping tip: always look for "ginjo" or "daiginjo" on the label. Think premium and superpremium. These are smoother, better grades of saké - and if you're going to try something new, you should try the best stuff, right?)

Other great buys: Tapeña Tempranillo and Garnacha (•cough Grenache cough*), a pair of intensly fruity reds, both on sale for about half the price - at just $5.99. The Tempranillo is smokier, while the Garnacha is jammier. Both are excellent with tacos, chili and ribs.