After all the holiday celebrating is over, it's usually your waistline and pocketbook that hurt the most. This makes the post-holiday season the perfect time to get active, claw through your pockets, scrape together your loose change and go foraging for a great value wine.

There is a certain satisfaction in finding an unexpectedly good bottle of vino that costs less to stock than a fast-food dinner for two. Even if the best you can scratch together is only $10.95, don't fret, because you're on a value wine mission. And don't forget those gifts you still need to return.

All wines are not created equal and there can be a vast difference in quality between two wines of the same price. This difference could be due to production scale, government regulation, climate, regional harvest yield, grape variety and so on, so it is important to understand that the objective of hunting for a value wine is to find a wine that is of good quality -- not just one that's cheap.

Easy, right? Don't worry, we've pulled together some great guidelines for hunting value wines -- but if you're not feeling ambitious enough to rummage the shelves yourself, we've chosen a few bottles that are widely available, something to get you through the rest of the season.

Not a popular kid -- just a good one
As with most consumer products, wine prices fluctuate based on market demands. Look for emerging regions or countries that buck the popularity trend. Chile and Argentina are two good choices; both consistently produce quality wines and are gaining a solid foothold on the international market. For consumers this means aggressive pricing and attention to detail -- the perfect recipe for good value.

Concha Y Toro, Casillero Del Diablo Merlot, Central Valley, Chile, $12.45
Rich ruby colour with traditional Merlot flavours of black fruits (plums, blackberries and black cherries). Dry with a nice balance and a hint of spice. Serve with hearty meals like stews and pastas or with robust cheese.

Argento, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, $10
Vivid purple with bright flavours of fresh cherries, plums and a pleasant tannic, oaky quality. Pairs well with Mexican food, pizza, pasta and most meats. Also works well with dry and aged cheeses.

Hardworking value wines
Old world wines were cast aside when favour shifted to Australia and California, but there remains great value in the old world. Italy in particular has a reputation for producing easy-drinking table wines. These wines are the everyday working-class wines, served on no special occasion, but instead to accompany family meals.

Citra, Montepulciano D'abruzzo, Abruzzo, Italy, $6.95
Medium purple with a floral nose and jammy flavour (think plums, cherries, fresh berries). Medium dry with hints of black pepper and leather. Goes well with almost any Italian dish; try serving with your favorite pasta or a spicy sausage risotto.

Da Luca, Primitivo Merlot, Tarantino, Puglia, Italy, $9.95
Intense ruby colour with flavours of ripe red fruits, strawberries, plums and chocolate. Serve with roast or barbecued red meats and dry, aged cheeses.

The value of little purple gems
Much like wine regions, grapes are subject to popularity contests too -- remember that little thing we all had with Chardonnay? By selecting wines made from grapes that are more regional or are less well known, you can find some quality bargains. Semillon and the almost unpronounceable Gewurztraminer are two grape varieties that make excellent values. Riesling is also a good choice and has a great reputation locally in Ontario.

Birchwood Gewurztraminer/Riesling VQA, Beamsville, Canada, $10.95
Bright straw colour, slightly sweet fruit-forward nose with hints of pear, apple and honey. Serve chilled with light blue cheeses or spicy food.

Hardys Stamp Series Riesling/Gewurztraminer, Australia, $9.60
Pale straw with a slight sweetness and lychee flavour finishes with citrus. A perfect match served chilled with Thai dishes or seafood.

Jacob's Creek Semillon Chardonnay, South Australia, Australia, $10.95
Pale, fresh and grassy with an aroma of citrus fruit and honeydew melon. Nicely balanced. Excellent served chilled with seafood, salads or poultry.