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Standing before her college philosophy class, the teacher lifts a large, empty jar and fills it with golf balls. She asks: Is my jar full?

Her students answer: "Yes."

Next, the teacher scoops pebbles, pours them into the jar and shakes lightly. The pebbles roll between the golf balls. She then asks: Is my jar full?

The students say: "Oh yes, surely."

Next, the teacher lifts a pail of sand and pours it into the jar, filling every crevice.

She asks: Is my jar full?

Students shout, "Yes."

From under the table, the teacher pulls a bottle of Merlot and pours it into the jar, filling space between sand.

The students laugh, and the teacher begins her lesson: "Recognize how this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the most important things -- your family, your children, your health, your faith, your friends, your passion.

"The pebbles are things that may matter -- your job, house, car, dog. You know, if you lost all that -- and only the golf balls remained -- your life would still be full.

"The sand is everything else, small stuff. If you put sand into your jar first, there is little room left for pebbles -- and certainly not the golf balls.

"The same is true for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never, ever have room for what's most important in life.

"So focus on what's critical. Spend time with your children, your parents, your grandparents. Get that medical checkup. Be with friends.

"There will always be time to clean house, cut the grass. First, take care of the golf balls -- things that matter.

The teacher concludes her lesson: "Focus. Because all the rest -- it's just sand."

A student raises her hand and asks: What about the wine? What does wine represent?

The professor smiles: "Glad you asked. The wine shows that no matter how full your life, there's always room for Merlot."

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Goofy labels I disdain, but these wines I liked lots.

2008 Wrongo Dongo Red ($8): I'd been tempted plenty of times to pick this up, but the goofy label was always a turn-off. Most consumers might not know what to make of it. A Jumilla red wine? Jumilla isn't the grape; it's the wine region in Spain famous for Monastrell. Still confused? By any other name the Monastrell grape is Mourvedre, the muscle-bound, purple people eater of grapes in the French Rhone. At this price, don't expect a thick and brooding. What you will find is a spice rack of aromas and flavors in a sea of blackberry, licorice, plum, fig and blueberry.

2007 The Rhoning Stones ($10): Obviously some tongue-in-cheek aimed at boomers. Usually I shy away from such nonsense. But in a flight tasting of reds at a favorite restaurant, this stood out. So I bought a bottle days later. It's a solid blend from the French Cotes du Rhone region, 60 percent Grenache, 30 percent Syrah and 10 percent Mourvedre. Gorgeous dark berry fruit, hints of spices and an earthy backdrop. Looking for a change-of-pace? Look here.

2009 Goats Do Roam White ($10): Playful blend from South Africa featuring Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Riesling, Viognier and Grenache Blanc. Peach, apple, melon flavors and aromas in a soft, easy-drinking, unoaked style. South Africa is having some fun here at French expense. (Think Cotes du Rhone).

2008 d'Arenberg The Stump Jump White ($12): From Australia's McLaren Vale region comes this wacky white that's a little bit Rhone, a little bit Bordeaux, a little bit Alsace -- but Aussie madness through and through. Crisp, spicy flavors of apple, pear, grapefruit and tangerine. This is a blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.

2008 Divine Llama Chardonel ($16): From North Carolina. The result of crossing Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc, Chardonel reminds me of what Chardonnay wants to be if winemakers could let it be and not beat it up with oak barrels and malo-lactic fermentation. Apples, melon, pear and floral flavors and aromas in a crisp style.

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A few others I've found interesting at the price.

2007 Columbia Crest Two Vines Vineyard 10 Red ($7): Is there anything this Washington state producer didn't throw into the vat? Red cherry, raspberry, cola and plum flavors and aromas. A blend of Sangiovese, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Grenache and Mourvedre.

2008 Luis Felipe Edwards Carmenere ($10): Chile's signature red grape, Carmenere was once thought to be Merlot in the Southern Hemisphere. This is an earthier style, but there's still plenty of blackberry, black cherry and vanilla spice.

2008 Verdemar Albarino ($12): Spain's northern coastal Rias Baixas region makes a renown white -- Albarino -- still unknown to many wine enthusiasts. If you ever wanted a wine to take you -- in your mind -- smack-dab seaside, this will do it from the first taste. Tangy citrus flavors and aromas with a brine backbone that keeps you coming back for more, furrowing a brow and wondering: What does this have that I've never tasted anywhere else?

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Ed Williams is public information director for Alamance Community College. This column publishes the first Wednesday of each month. Send news of an event to williamsonwine@gmail.com.