According to Forbes, wine is a needed refuge from the relentless Grocery Shrink Ray. Rather than raise prices or shrink offerings, wineries are managing the tumbling economy and suicidal dollar by tightening their own belts. Here are ten of Forbes' picks:

BORDEAUX-STYLE REDS

Château Haut-Guiraud 2005, Côtes de Bourg | $15

The lesser-known, "satellite" appellations of Bordeaux are chock-full of bargains from the stellar-but-pricey 2005 vintage. A flat-out steal, this Merlot-based wine, with its refined, ripe tannins, has the perfectly tuned balance of a grander Bordeaux with a more immediately accessible charm. (Alain Junguenet Selections)

MEDIUM-RICH REDS

Can Blau 2006, Montsant | $18

I buy this wine every year and feel a bit bereft when my last bottle's empty. From the other side of the mountains from Spain's famed Priorat—and sharing many of the same soils and conditions—this blend of Mazuelo (Carignan), Syrah and Garnacha (Grenache) lofts an intricate aroma something like…let me take a stab at it: spiced wild berries cooked into a pastry with vanilla icing. Ah, heck, just give it a spin. (Jorge Ordoñez Selections)

Villa Maria 2006 Pinot Noir, "Private Bin," Marlborough | $20

It's hard to find truly Pinot-y Pinot at this price, and Villa Maria is a reliable name to keep in mind. A warm '06 harvest in New Zealand goosed up the richness in this soft, easy-drinking red and heightened its aroma of freshly crushed cherries. (Vineyard Brands)

JUICY, FULLER-BODIED REDS

D'Arenberg 2004 Shiraz, "The Footbolt," McLaren Vale | $19

Chester Osborn's labor-intensive, old-school winemaking (foot-stomped grapes, basket press)—plus d'Arenberg's excellent vineyards—yields some of Australia's most succulently layered Shiraz/Syrahs, including this perfumed beauty that evolves surprising depths in the glass. Named for a racehorse whose early-20th-century winning streak was a foundation of the Osborn family fortunes. (Old Bridge Cellars)

ROSES

Château d'Esclans 2006 "Whispering Angel," Côtes de Provence | $22

The new South of France venture of Sacha—son of American wine great Alexis—Lichine produces the world's most expensive (by a long shot) rosés. This pup of the litter, crafted by former Mouton Rothschild winemaker Patrick Leon, is pale pink but surprisingly hearty, with a dry, firm, minerally brightness. The toast of the Côte d'Azur yachting set, I'm told. (Château d'Esclans)

CRISP WHITES

Txomin Etxaniz 2006 Guetaria | $25

These white Txokolina wines (that's "choko-leena") are summertime Basque seafood staples. Pouring from a foot or so height brings up the wine's light fizziness; the lean, clean palate-awakening acidity does the rest. (Tempranillo Imports)

MEDIUM-BODIED WHITES

St. Supery 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley | $21

Fans of this popular wine get another juicy gem from winemaker Michael Beaulac. An un-Chardonnay with true varietal pineapple/grapefruit notes mingled with menthol-y herbs in a concentrated white that cuts a pleasingly lean profile.

FULL-BODIED WHITES

L'Ecole No. 41 2006 Semillon, Columbia Valley | $16

From one of Walla Walla's pioneers and a Washington favorite for many years, the '06 is a custardy, melony mouthful (but dry) that is a roast-chicken-enlivening wine par excellence.

BUBBLES

Mionetto (nonvintage) Prosecco Brut | $13

Like a warm-weather picnic in a bottle. This lightly sparkling Italian wine has a penetrating, intense character, with notes of apple, lemon and anise. Among other things, the perfect base for a mimosa or Bellini. (Mionetto)

OTHER

Warre's (nonvintage) White Porto | $13

Lusciously, palate-coatingly rich and exotic, white port on the rocks is an addictive warm-weather aperitif. Warre's version nails it, wafting a complex spice of licorice, walnut and candied apricots. Spritz at will. (Vineyard Brands)

Check out Forbes' article for all 25 recommendations.

25 Under $25 [Forbes]
RELATED: 10 Tips For Summer Wine Drinking
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1. Prioritize: Are flowers and a gown especially important? Spend your money there, and reign in other expenses.

2. Don't be afraid to haggle. Mention that you're willing to recommend your vendor's services to all your friends and cousins and sisters who, oh my god, like, just got engaged! What a coincidence!

3. June wedding? Real original! Be flexible with your date. April and October are perfectly nice, and far less expensive. For an even better deal, get married in February.

4. Ok, fine, the February wedding may not be the hottest idea, but instead of getting married on Friday or Saturday, consider Thursday or Sunday.

5. Long engagements save money. You've got your whole lives ahead of you. Make your grandmother wait an extra few months and take advantage of seasonal sales that can halve the cost of pricey dresses.

6. Invitations are pretty and all, but people throw them away. Consider printing them yourselves or letting people RSVP online.

7. Understand the business. Flowers and cakes are expensive because they're labor intensive. Simple but elegant cakes taste as good but cost far less. Similarly, exotic flowers are nice, but make the displays less time-intensive.

"All these things add up," [Alicia Rockmore, CEO of Buttoned Up Inc] said. "I think it's just remembering that at the end of the day, people are there to celebrate your wedding. They're not there to see what $500 flower arrangements you have on every table. Just remember that people, your guests, are never going to notice the details that you do … Don't get overwhelmed on every little, tiny thing that you need to spend money on. The most important thing is that they're going to be there to support you."

Bridezillas seriously scare us. Before you get carried away with wedding plans, sit down and read Rebecca Mead's One Perfect Day: The Selling of the American Wedding. It'll save your sanity, and the down payment on that house you're going to want in a few years.

Getting Organized Cuts Wedding Bills [WDSU]
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In theory, death care should be immune from short-term economic swings. Death is one of only two sure things in life, and the U.S. population is aging.

"This is one industry that pretty much holds strong regardless of the economy," says Mike Nicodemus, funeral director at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Homes, a 10-operation chain in Virginia Beach, Va. But costs for raw materials (wood, flowers) are rising, while the flow of customers has slowed. "There's been a decrease in the death rate over the last six to eight years," says Phil Jacobs, chief marketing officer at SCI, who's too polite to note this is bad for business. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the U.S. death rate fell from 8.8 per 1,000 in 1999 to 8.5 per 1,000 in 2005. In 2005, fewer people died than in 2002, despite an increase in population.

And while Americans don't necessarily spend more on funerals during boom times, a slowing economy makes people think twice about opening their wallets for wreaths and high-end caskets. "People are definitely questioning us more on what things cost," says Robert Biggins, past president of the National Funeral Directors Association and operator of a funeral home in Rockland, Mass.

The single best way to reduce the cost and stress of a funeral is to plan ahead. Funerals are often about guilt, which translates into profits for funeral homes. For more tips, read our post on how to save on funeral expenses.

Weep for the Grim Reaper [Slate]
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PREVIOUSLY: How To Save On Funeral Expenses

Nothing groundbreaking here—just a friendly reminder that acting now will save you money later.

A Dozen Tips for a Greener Autumn [Lighter Footstep via Digg]
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From This Old House:

Early in September, grass is recovering from a long hot summer and may be coming out of a drought-induced dormancy, so you'll want to give your lawn a shot of nitrogen to push blade growth. A fertilizer with a formula of 20-8-8 will get it growing again. Always follow the manufacturer's recommended rate of application. Some people treat weeds and insects at this time, but I think that unless there are signs of trouble or a history of problems, don't apply anything but fertilizer. While this September dose of fertilizer is important, an application at the end of October or early November is essential.

Fall Fertilizing [This Old House via Shakyard]
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We like it.

Forbes' Frugal Cars:

10) Pontiac Vibe $16,760
Five-year cost of ownership: $35,348

9) Hyundai Accent $12,865
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,808

8) Kia Rio $13,571
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,802

7) Toyota Matrix $16,558
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,778

6) Ford Focus $15,752
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,092

5) Chevy Aveo $11,844
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,048

4) Nissan Versa $13,950
Five-year cost of ownership: $33,275

3) Toyota Corolla $15,449
Five-year cost of ownership: $33,053

2) Honda Fit $15,440
Five-year cost of ownership: $32,547

1) Toyota Yaris $12,625
Five-year cost of ownership: $31,785

Frugal Rides: Top 10 Least Expensive Vehicles to Own [Forbes]
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Organize fruits and veggies: We often toss produce into crispers together, but apples and some other fruits give off gas called ethylene that speeds ripening in vegetables. So store them separate, so vegetables don't ripen too fast

How to Store Your Food So It Lasts Longer [Gomestic]
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We've never tried this but it looks like a good idea. We like refrigerated pickles, like Claussens for example, much better than other types of pickles. They're crunchy!

Are there any refrigerator pickling experts out there that would like to share their pickling tips?

Refrigerator Pickles - Quick n' Easy [Instructables]

1. I take my own sodas and bottled waters in a small cooler.
2. I purchase tees, gloves, and balls online. If you wait until you are at the clubhouse to buy supplies, you'll pay two or three times the price for the same items.
3. I take my own snacks. For each round, I pack a 'power bar' and a piece or two of fruit. I skip the clubhouse restaurant and simply enjoy my snacks.
4. I never play for money.
5. I try to play after 4:00 PM when most courses give a twilight discount. One local course has a 50% discount for rounds after 4:00 PM.

Frugality On The Golf Course... Really? Are You Sure? [No Credit Needed]

Then again, we've always dug rag rugs and whatnot. We're homey like that.

Knit a Dishcloth from old Clothes [Instructables]

Our favorite use for old CDs wasn't on the list. We buy these thin cork coasters from IKEA (which are flimsy and completely useless on their own) and glue them to old CDs. They make great coasters, if you're not afraid of seeming a little nerdy in favor of preventing cup rings. We aren't.

Top 10 Creative Ways to Recycle CDs [Curbly]

If you have a morbid curiosity for more information, check out Jessica Mitford's comprehensive examination of the funeral industry, The American Way of Death.

Burial Insurance [The Dollar Stretcher]
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Last year, according to Transportation Security Administration figures, airport agents collected 12,295 "clubs, bats and bludgeons"; 1.6 million "knives and blades"; and 74,665 other objects classified as "deadly/dangerous."

The most lethal items are dispensed with promptly. Guns — an average of two a week are collected nationally — are surrendered to local police departments, which investigate their bearers. Hazardous chemicals are disposed of by SAIC Inc., a San Diego company under government contract.

In Georgia, where the government once merely stockpiled surrendered items, the legislature last year passed a bill to allow direct surplus property sales to the public. Part of the reason, says Mr. Ekin, was to give passengers the chance — remote as it might be — to recover their goods.

The store, 3,000 square feet of polished concrete fenced off in a corner of an aluminum warehouse, boasts a large collection of potentially dangerous tools and trinkets. ...Since the store opened, a trickle of passengers have come looking for their stuff.

"If they can prove it's theirs, we'll give it to them," says Will Smith, the warehouse manager. A good description of the item suffices as proof, he says. So far, only two people have found their forfeited objects: a walking stick and a manicure set engraved with the owner's initials.

Power tools, like the impact drill, are surprisingly common. So are toy guns and pistol-shaped belt buckles. Most common are scissors (over 4 inches is too long to carry on a plane), bottle openers, pocketknives and multipurpose hand tools. The store also sees hammers, dumbbells, circular saws, hockey sticks and nail guns, too. It once sold a chain saw.

By the way, who brings a chainsaw on a plane?

Carry-On Items Taken at Airports Find Happy Homes [WSJ]
Georgia Department Of Surplus Property
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Non-lazy people are saying, "But you obviously need to go to the store, why not just go?" Because we're lazy.

Now lazy people can look "eco" or "green" by making their own envelopes. We love this environmental sh*t.

Recycled Envelopes [Instructables]

• Think pink. Cast aside any lingering prejudices and catch the hot wine of summer, a dry ros . They are so food friendly and offer something with more substance than a white. I like ones from Provence, such as Domaine Sorin, but they actually come in a range of styles.

And this one...

• Forget the corkscrew. Go on a hike or a boat and leave the corkscrew behind-choose a wine with a screw cap or possibly even in a TetraPak (lighter to carry back out empty). Or go for the ultimate no-corkscrew-needed wine-champagne! (Caution-not so great on hikes though.)

You heard it people: It's OK to drink screw-top ros .... if its good ros , and it appears that yummy ros can be had for around $10 a bottle.

Chillin and grillin: tips for summer wine [Dr. Vino]

There's nothing ground breaking about them, but if you're looking to change your habits following these tips is a great start. The tips for "bulk shopping" are fun:

• Buy only products that your family will like and use often enough so that they will be used before spoiling or becoming outdated. Otherwise, you'll waste food and money.
  
• Not all bulk items are bargains. Make sure the item is really a good buy and saves you money. Check the unit price, don't just look at the size of the package.
  
• When you buy in bulk, you buy more than you can use before your next shopping trip. Be sure you have enough money to do this.
  
• You should know what type of storage is needed for the product and have enough space to store it.
  
• Beware that buying in bulk can lead families to overeat or eat too quickly. If this happens, you could run out of food or money before the end of the month. Make sure you can store food so that it won't get eaten too quickly.
  
• Know proper storage times for different foods.

Eating Healthy on a Budget [UPMC via Getting Finances Done]
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So, if you sell things on eBay or otherwise do a lot of mailing and have been paying OfficeMax for envelopes and boxes... don't. Order this stuff, it's awesome.

Priority Mail Shipping Supplies [USPS]
Express Mail Supplies [USPS]

Avoid Name Brands: Use sites like carrentals.com carrentalexpress.com to find smaller rental agencies.
Avoid The Airport: Rates are always higher near the airport. If you are staying at a hotel, see if there are rental agencies nearby.
Ask For A Discount: Always ask for a discount, especially if you're a member of an organization like AAA or AARP.

Once you find a deal, take pictures of the car before driving off the lot to protect against fraudulent damage claims; and don't even think about returning the car without a full tank of gas. What tips do you have to find the best deals? Tell us in the comments.

Tips for Finding the Best Deal on a Rental Car [KABC]
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Greenberg said the most common mistake couples make is to assume that justice is an absolute.

Each party firmly believes that if it gets its day in court, it will be vindicated. But, according to Greenberg, going to court is a gamble. "Justice can be elusive," said Greenberg. And, she adds, more than 95 percent of all divorce cases end up being settled out of court. "There's a reason for that."

Even though it's tempting, resist the impulse to run out and hire that famous "attack-dog" divorce lawyer you've heard so much about. "They're in pain and they're hurting and they're afraid of getting screwed and they feel powerless, so they reach out and get a lawyer ... but getting a lawyer doesn't always have to mean getting a warrior."

Greenberg advocates trying to talk to your partner before you rush to the experts.

How to Beat the High Cost of Divorce [ABC News]
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IKEA hacker has laptop desks or holders created from a sawed-off stool, a paper towel holder (weird), and a kitchen shelf. We like the stool one, personally. It costs $19. The one he was copying cost $150. Win.

need a laptop desk? diy your own stand [IKEA hacker]
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One of the main things to consider is which type of plastic your bumper is. There should be a stamp inside identifying it as PP, PPO, TPE, PUR, or TPUR. The adhesive products you purchase will have to match up and you should check with the store to make sure you're getting the right ones.

The procedure looks moderate to advanced in difficulty, but sure beats forking over that dough.

Plastic Bumper Repair [Instructables]

Don't worry, it doesn't actually require you to do anything. Vinegar and water do all the work.

Just fill your pot with 1 part vinegar to 2 parts of water and run the machine as if you were making coffee... but without the coffee. —MEGHANN MARCO

How to Clean a Coffee Maker [WikiHow]
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Place a cotton cloth directly over the stain and with a dry iron (NO STEAM!) press down for several seconds on the cloth. Remove and check the stain. Keep doing until the watermarks are completely gone. It could take a minute or two to get the stain out completely.

How To... Remove Water Stains From Wood [Apartment Therapy via Curbly]