I have heard more than one person say they will look to do things differently in 2012 instead of keeping the status quo. To help wine lovers break out of the status quo, here are a few recommendations to get you started that retail for under $20:

» Albino Armani Pinot Grigio "Vigneto Corvara" (about $13 a bottle): Recent studies have shown that Italian pinot grigio is the No. 1 U.S. wine import. Having said that, for me, though, it is really hard to find "good" ones. Too many are either bitter or syrupy and insipid. This is one definitely worth searching out for its deliciousness, amazing lightness on the palate and its terrific compatibility with food. It deftly displays what regional cafes or bistros along the Mediterranean basin would serve with their lighter fare. In all of my years of tasting wines, this has been a real standout, even more so when one considers the price point.

» La Mozza Morellino di Scansano "I Perazzi" ($18): At Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar, we are discovering more merits of Italy’s sangiovese grape variety. This is the same variety used to produce chianti, Brunello di Montalcino (a different clone) and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (another clone). It has taken years, however, for us to understand that sangiovese’s true nobility lies in how incredibly food-friendly it is, especially with Italian cuisine. One of the true standout sangiovese-based red wines in terms of food compatibility and quality for your dollar is La Mozza. Grown on the Tuscan coast, this wine project is owned by superstar chef Mario Batali and restaurateur Joe Bastianich.

» Massimo Malbec ($10): This can be your introduction to the malbec grape variety. In the old days, malbec was one of the blending grape varieties used in Bordeaux, France, to add stuffing and intriguing nuances to the region’s predominately cabernet-based red wines. Today this same grape variety is making quite a niche for itself in Argentina, where it is grown in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, resulting in dark, masculine, intriguing, tasty reds with lots of character.

» Evening Land Beaujolais Villages "Celebration" ($15): French Beaujolais has gotten quite a reputation over the years for poor quality because of overproduction and mass production. We are hoping to persuade readers to reopen their minds and palates to this "one-of-a-kind" wine with this light, delicious and food-friendly rendition. Beaujolais is produced from the gamay noir grape variety, a descendent of pinot noir. This will at least partially explain its characteristic perfume, thinner skin, remarkable lightness and food-friendliness. Furthermore, local wine lovers will also see how much more workable top-quality versions can be with Asian-inspired foods, especially when served chilled.

» Hybrid Petite Sirah ($10): Over the years Lodi, Calif., was known for a sea of mediocre wines. With a little research, however, one can find a growing number of great wine values. What initially piqued our interest was the low cost of vineyard land there because so many families have owned their vineyards for generations. Furthermore, because of long-term ownership, there are lots of old vines still planted and producing. True to type, this petite sirah has lots of dark qualities — earth, bramble, spice — yet is still surprisingly light on its feet and well textured. Owner Rodney Schatz, who was recently in Hawaii, noted that with the latest release, a little bit of white wine (produced from the exotic, wonderfully fragrant viognier grape variety) was added to the blend to increase the aromatics and brighten up the palate.

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Chuck Furuya is a master sommelier and a partner in the DK Restaurants chain.