I don't really know what sort of wines that are available at what prices in the US, but just to add to Heraklia's suggestions, most Italian table wines will do. For cooking, we tend to use the stuff we get for free from the Italian restaurant when our order is big enough (unless it's a lambrusco, which is sweet and icky). Other decent options are Valpolicella or a Corsican. I'm sure there must be suitable US varieties, too.