best wine not expensive
Skip to main content Food & Wine looked to some of the world’s best wineries for terrific deals that are in stores now. Affordable Wine Country Hotels Rules for Great Wine and Food Pairings YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKEwine12 great wines under $20 a bottleDaryna TobeyThey are wines that have a place in every home, though there’s no formal name for their kind: They’re sip-with-pizza-on-a-Tuesday-night quaffs, yet they’re nice enough to bring to a friend’s house for a casual dinner. They are enjoyable right out of the bottle, and it wouldn’t be a travesty if you cooked with them. These wines are, as 90+ Cellars’ vice president and co-founder Brett Vankoski calls them, “soldiers” that protect your cellar’s more treasured bottlings from premature death. I just call these all-purpose, buy-by-the-case bottles our “house” wines.I’ve spent the last month or so evaluating dozens of under-$20 wines for Fortune. Many were “classical, seasonal, versatile and affordable,” all qualities that Colleen Holden, wine director at Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks in Boston, looks for in house wines.
I also found that the wines I wanted to reach for again did not have too much acid, oak, tannins, or alcohol.So how much should you spend on these wines by the case, and what should you buy? Here are our experts’ top tips on how to shop for them, along with a dozen of Fortune’s recommendations for easy-to-find, please-everyone bottles. Stick with newer vintages. Wines meant for casual drinking don’t age particularly well. “If a wine is meant to be drunk fresh,” as are most whites and rosés, says Holden, “it’s important that you’re buying the most recent vintage, or just one year prior.” A $12 2005 rosé, in other words, is no bargain.Be mindful of the alcohol content. If you’re enjoying a glass or two during the week, says Vankoski, “a 15% alcohol wine is not what you want.” Stick to wines in the 12%-to-14% range, which Vankoski likens to “session” ales, if you don’t want to be hurting at work the next day. Get it while the getting is good. Word about a great bottle at a giveaway price can spread like wildfire.
How much should you spend on a good weeknight wine? Our experts all give retail price ranges between $10 and $18, and they say $15 seems to be the “sweet spot” at which you’ll taste a noticeable step up in quality.
best wine knowledge booksFortune’s tastings bear this out. And don’t forget: With a 20% case discount, a $15 wine will only cost you $12.Here are our dozen picks for Fortune’s favorite affordable house wines:Mulderbosch 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé Coastal Region ($14) Dry, with mouthwatering acidity. A fuller-bodied rosé from South Africa, with raspberry and orange/grapefruit flavors.Aia Vecchia 2014 Vermentino Toscana IGT ($12) Plump, round, and minerally, with pear and melon flavors. A drink-anywhere white that's not overly dry or acidic. RelatedwinesThese 5 Can’t Miss Wines Are All Under $50winesThese 5 Can’t Miss Wines Are All Under $50Arnaldo Caprai 2013 Grechetto Colli Martani DOC ($20) Has a clean feel and a sturdy backbone plus pear, mineral, and olive oil flavors.
Versatile enough to be a fine apéritif or a good accompaniment to seafood or poultry.Columbia Crest 2014 H3 Sauvignon Blanc Horse Heaven Hills ($15) The bottle should say “springtime fresh” on the label; shows citrus and stone fruit couched in a clean, pleasing mouthfeel. Will have wide appeal.Dourthe 2013 La Grande Cuvée Bordeaux AOC ($13) A crisp white with herb, mineral, and citrus flavors. Just the thing for the raw bar—or enjoy it on its own.Hanna 2014 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley ($19) A taste of summer: This California white wine has sunny peach and pear flavors, a smooth, river-rock feel, and good length on the finish.Santa Cristina 2014 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie ($12) Has bright green apple and grapefruit flavors; pretty straightforward but delivers a good, everyday wine at an affordable price.Château Saint-Sulpice 2012 Bordeaux AOC ($15) Approachable but not simple; red fruit has nutty, earthy nuances and a nice mocha note on the finish. One to drink with dinner.
70% Merlot.Enrique Mendoza 2012 La Tremenda Monastrell Alicante ($12) Has pleasing spice and herbal accents to the cherry/blackberry fruit; it’s the easy kind of Spanish wine you’d order by the glass at your favorite tapas bar.La Follette 2013 Pinot Noir North Coast ($20) A forward California style with a soft feel, it’s rife with berry and cherry flavors. More nuanced than a basic Pinot, but still affordable.Masseria Li Veli 2013 Passamante Negroamaro Salice Salentino DOC ($13) Well balanced and easy to drink, with forward but tangy berry-basket flavors. Delivers nice quality at a bargain price. You totally want this with red-sauced Italian fare.Qupé 2012 Syrah Central Coast ($20) California Syrah with an Old World soul: big, juicy, black and purple fruit with earth, clay, smoke/mocha, and fresh herbal nuances.should be an easy thing to pick up and bring to a party—in theory. In reality, the shelves of witty, worldly, and just plain weird labels with descriptions of “chewy tannins,” “fleshy” bodies, and notes of “charcoal” (love me some fresh charcoal!) can leave non-sommeliers (so pretty much everyone who'd be shopping for wine) confused.
And then there’s the price. Expensive wine tastes better, right? But are they really that much better?It turns out there are plenty of vinos that taste like a grand cru but —we’re talking no more than $20. From classic French sparklers to obscure yet delicious Serbian reds, these expert-picked bottles will please any crowd without anyone knowing how much you didn’t spend! and may vary depending on where you live. Although it costs only a smidge more than two-buck chuck, this slightly sparkling white packs much more bright citrus flavor. “When you can’t decide between still and sparkling, this is a perfect in-between,” says New York sommelier Courtney Schiessl. And at this price, it’s a go-to for parties. Little-known wine regions (and often ones with the most confusing names) usually mean great bargains. This wine is dry and delicious with rich peach flavors and just a touch of stoney minerality, Schiessl says. But if none of that really matters to you, choose this bottle for its cute label!
Fritsch Windspiel Grüner Veltliner Never know what to serve with vegetable dishes like asparagus, bitter greens, or artichokes? “Grüner like this is what they drink across Austria,” says sommelier Morgan Harris, “and a whole country can’t be wrong.” He calls this tart, savory sip a “patio pounder.” If you love pinot grigio, you need to try this! 2012 Stock & Stein Riesling Riesling isn’t always super sweet—this German one is proof. With succulent fruit flavors (think tart lemons meet ripe peaches) and mouthwatering acidity, it’s great paired with spicy food, Schiessl says. Just be warned: “This juice is extremely addictive. My bottle is usually gone far too fast,” she adds. Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre et Maine Most people don’t know what muscadet is, Harris says, so go for the less-expensive stuff, like this wine from Marc Ollivier, one of the greatest producers in Harris’ eyes. It's the perfect pre-meal drink, especially with any sort of raw bar, he says.
It ages well too, so go ahead and buy a few bottles. Any extra can always be used for cooking. 2011 Val de Mer Saint-Bris This sauvignon blanc pairs well with spinach dip and goat cheese, so it’s another great one to bring to parties. Full of citrusy flavor, it has a clean, crisp finish to wash down salty snacks. 2013 Handley Pinot Gris Anderson Valley Buy a few rich cheeses, some crackers, and this California white, and the first course (or dinner, why not?) is set. Allison Caruso, tasting room manager for Turley Wine Cellars, describes the taste as “honeydew melon, pineapple, and ripe nectarine flavors meet crisp minerality.” We're not totally sure what that means, but definitely up for finding out! 2013 San Giovanni Pasini Il Chiaretto Valtenesi Rosé Rosé isn’t just for summer! Fresh bing cherries and tart strawberry flavors mean this Italian wine pairs nicely with just about anything, from white meat and fish to pasta and rice dishes. 2010 Viña Eguia Tempranillo
A classic Spanish wine at a rock-bottom price, Caruso says. Vanilla and coconut aromas warm up any winter soirée, and robust red cherry and cranberry flavors are a natural combination with cheese-covered crostini or hearty tapas. 2011 Terre Rouge Tête-a-Tête Forget Napa, this California red blend comes from up-and-coming “gold country”—so enjoy it now while prices are lower. The mix of flavors results in something that could be described as "peppered beef jerky meets cherry pie." Sounds weird, but tastes delish, especially with nutty cheese like Gouda or anything with bacon. 2012 Vietti Barbera d’Alba Tre Vigne This ruby-hued juice combines aromas of vanilla and violets with a smooth, lingering cherry finish. Pour a glass with hearty salads or soups, or sip on its own. 2012 Anderra Cabernet Sauvignon Having friends over who are super into wine? This bold, spice Chilean wine is from the Rothschild family, which will impress those in-the-know. And with all the rich blackberry and cassis flavors of a classic Bordeaux (but at half the price!), those not in-the-know will enjoy it just as much.
It's amazing with appetizers like meatballs or stuffed mushrooms. 2012 Erath Pinot Noir Pinot noir is an easy go-to for holiday gatherings because its light body and fresh flavors make it insanely food-friendly. This vino from one of Oregon’s best producers leads with bright red cherry flavors and tons of earthy notes. Whether you’re sipping sans food or alongside salty party favorites (pigs in a blanket, anyone?), this won’t disappoint. Though Serbia isn’t a country many associate with wine, don't skip this section so fast. This pinot noir-ish number offers cranberries and cherries with a hint of spice. Plus, it super food-friendly, even with strong or spicy flavors, Schiessl says. 2011 Assobio Red Quinta dos Murças Portuguese wines make finding a great bottle on a budget easy. No need to remember complicated grape varieties, just know that these red blends are a great option for those who like wines with big fruit flavors. This one has tons of blackberry and black cherry flavors with some bright red fruit too.
“Think of it as a merlot or malbec alternative that’s fresh enough to appeal to fans of lighter reds as well,” says Schiessl. Martine et Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Beaujolais Traditionnelle Doesn’t matter if it’s served at a winter potluck or a backyard cookout, this wine is gulpable thanks to tasty raspberry flavors and an incredibly smooth finish. “It won't win any contest for seriousness,” Harris says, and all the better! We say wine should be fun! Varichon & Clerc Privilege Blanc de Blancs Brut Add a little sparkle to any party—or a regular night at home—with this bubbly. No need to master the pop-the-cork-with-a-knife party trick (unless you really want to)—the gorgeous gold label will make an impression on its own. How does it taste? This unique French blend has tons of lemony acidity, making it a great match for anything from popcorn to veggies with hummus. Complices de Loire L'Evanescente Sparkling wine just seems fancy, but that doesn't mean it needs to be pricey.