Cuvee Tradition Blanc de Blancs Demi Sec Every bit as good as the Brut, with more pronounced fruit. This is perfect for those who are looking for a touch of sweetness in their sparkler. Available - Check All Stores » Cuvee Tradition Blanc de Blancs BrutAn outstanding value in a French sparkling wine. This lively, rich, smooth and creamy bubbly will compete with sparklers at twice the price. Buy it by the case. Also available in Demi Sec… Henri Leblanc Blanc de Blancs Brut "Iridescent, with a persistent mousse. Creamy on the palate, with crisp green apples and lemon zest coming to the fore; a splash of sea mist emerges with time in the glass. Bone dry yet vibrantly expressive,… "Bakery notes and savory elements on the nose, with bright orchard fruit in the background. On the palate white peaches and nectarines, as well as mint and orange blossoms. A lemony citrus note emerges with time,… Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio "Light citrus and delicate floral aromas with tropical fruit flavors and a crisp, refreshing finish."

2014 Hess Select Chardonnay Monterey “This wine’s natural acidity compliments tangy, spicy foods and shows well with the richness of creamier dishes. Our Chardonnay pairs well with Asian chicken salad or grilled albacore tuna with melted anchovy butter and lemon.” best wine for christmas present "Fresh flavours of peach, rockmelon and a hint of vanilla, this soft, juicy white is a perfect medium weighted wine for anytime drinking." best wine store dc 2014 Michael David Seven Deadly Zinshow much wine/beer to buy for wedding "A little pepper, spice, and plenty of candied red berry fruit opens up the nose of our 2014 7 Deadly Zins. Full and rich with flavors of black cherry, currants, olive tapenade and exotic spices are…

2014 La Crema Chardonnay Sonoma Coast "This juicy, medium-bodied wine offers a mix of crisp lemon meringue and richer notions of pear compote and biscotti. Grapes are sourced from a range of vineyards, including Saralee's." -Virginie Boone, Mar 2017Reviewed by: The Wine… 2016 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc "Light straw with hints of green. Herbaceous notes of freshly cut grass along with lifted pineapple, melon, passionfruit, and hints of grapefruit. Fresh and crisp with zesty flavours of ripe tropical fruits, especially passionfruit and pineapple.… "Delightfully sweet with lush fruity aromas. Hints of citrus skip across flavors of juicy peach and ripe apricots. A bright, crisp finish dances in at the end. It’s a bit sweeter than our Riesling." Yellow Tail Big Bold Red "Aromas of naturally sweet red berries, vanilla and chocolate." 2014 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma "One of the best values in Cabernet Sauvignon anywhere in the world remains Louis Martini’s Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon.

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County (89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and the rest Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc… 2014 Ferrari Carano Chardonnay "The 2014 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay from Sonoma County has superior lots of wine from our vineyards in Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley and Carneros. This full-bodied yet refreshing Chardonnay boasts aromas of lemon, pear,… "Floral and fresh, this offers a lively bead and good cut to the flavors of apricot, pickled ginger and honey. Drink now." - Alison Napjus, Aug 31, 2014 Reviewed by: Wine Spectator - 86 pts Wine Spectator - 86ptsAvailable - Check All Stores » Antinori Santa Cristina Toscano Rosso "Ruby red in color with purple hues. On the nose, the wine shows intense notes of red fruit, of cherries, blueberries, and black currants. The palate is well-balanced and complex, with sweet tannins and the ripe… 2014 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon "This bold style Cabernet Sauvignon displays great complexity and structure.

There are aromas of dark berry fruits and plum on the nose with chocolate and vanilla on the palate." 2014 William Hill Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast "Our William Hill Estate North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon has a rich palate of dark fruit flavors, with subtle hints of caramel and cocoa. The Sonoma and Napa fruit gave this wine its ripe blackberry and black… "A fun glass of bubbles, showing lively aromas of citrus and cinnamon roll, with crisp flavors of apple, tropical fruit and spiced nuts." Reviewed by: Wine Spectator - 87 pts Wine Spectator - 87ptsAvailable - Check All Stores » 2013 Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico "Rich and sumptuous, boasting pure flavors of cherry and raspberry, matched to a juicy texture. There are plenty of tannins neatly folded into the overall structure, with hints of mineral and tea on the long, expansive… Vinous - 91ptsAvailable - Check All Stores » 2014 14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon "14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon is a bright, juicy red featuring aromas of blueberries and currants with subtle hints of dried herbs.

Red berry flavors are complemented by a touch of spicy oak and accentuated by refined… Stella Rosa Rosso by il Conte "Brachetto d’Acqui is a sweet, fizzy red wine that is popular in northwest Italy. The wine is slowly making its mark in the USA thanks to its easy-drinking character and fresh berry nuances. The Wine Enthusiast - 85ptsAvailable - Check All Stores » Available - Check All Stores »Skip to primary navigation Skip to main content We have put together a collection of amazing gifts that are just right for your budget. Celebrate that occasion with our collection of beautiful gifts all under $30.Where my winos at? (I mean that in the nicest way possible, of course!) I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to write a post about one of my favorite subjects – wine! Sometimes I get so caught up brainstorming new content for the blog that I miss what’s sitting right in front of my face. Perfectly chilled, and served in a big, tall glass.

(⬇️ excellent holiday gift idea alert!) Before I got Celiac Disease, Ben and I were very much into the craft beer scene. We had so much fun trying different varieties and flavors (RIP Hell or High Watermelon,) going to craft brew festivals, trying local beer when we traveled – Ben even brewed and bottled beer in our basement! Unfortunately that all went out the door when I got sick. Turns out it’s not as much fun brewing beer when you can’t enjoy it with your craft brew-loving spouse anymore. All was not lost, however, because although beer is full of the devil gluten, guess what isn’t? And guess what has a zillion varietals, vintages, and intricacies that make drinking interesting again? So here we are. That is to say, Ben and I have really gotten into wine over the past three years. The anticipation of trying a new wine – opening the bottle, pouring it into a glass, giving it a good sniff and finally a nice sip – is something we both really enjoy.

Ben usually does the shopping because he loves finding new and interesting wines to try, which means all I have to do is uncork and enjoy. Speaking of uncorking, here’s the wine opening kit we use and swear by. No wine lover should be without it. I’ve been to Napa a couple times, once with my girlfriends and again on a blogging trip, and have really enjoyed learning about wine-making from passionate winery owners and growers. Also learning the phrase “meth teeth“. 😂 And while I’ve loved learning even more about wine and wine making from documentaries like Somm (<< mind blowing) and Somm: Into the Bottle, I’m certainly no expert. That said, I know what I like and don’t like, so today I’m sharing 6 of my favorite wines under $20. Because I don’t think you need to spend an arm and a leg on wine to have a good experience, and also because any of these wines would make an excellent hostess gift for the holiday parties you’re attending this month. Slap a bow on that baby and get prepared for a big ol’ smile from the recipient!

I’m going to share three of my favorite white wines and three of my favorite reds, all of which can be found for under $20 around here. Prices can vary depending on where you live and buy wine – for example, we’ve found up to a $5 difference on some bottles depending on which HyVee we buy our wine at. Just something to be mindful of. Ok so the only thing I like better than sharing my favorite wine picks is finding new and yummy wines to try, so let me know what YOUR favorite $20 and under wines are in the comments section below! In the meantime, CHEERS! When Ben and I are feeling fancy, we break out the Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc. And by fancy I mean I’ve showered sometime in the last 48 hours and Ben still has both socks on. Is anyone else’s husband constantly walking around with one sock missing? Jnyway, Whitehaven is my favorite mid-range New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. It’s very crisp, finishes super clean, is incredibly refreshing, and best enjoyed ice cold. P

erfect to pair with sushi or serve at summer grill outs. Whitehaven is usually sold in the $16-$19 range around here, which is why we try and keep it for a clean hair/fully socked sort of occasion. From the brand: full-flavored and medium-bodied with notes of peach, gooseberry and ripe tropical fruit. Showcasing a brilliant straw color, this elegant wine refreshes the palate with a long, clean finish. Decoy Sauvignon Blanc is my go-to “I’ve had an insane day, haven’t sat down since 7am, and need something to relax with while watching incredibly trashy television after the children are in bed” wine. I don’t cook with this wine (and hate sharing!) because it’s just so good by the glass. It has just the right amount of finish and is very balanced – not too tart nor too thin – just, perfect. We can usually find Decoy in the $14-16 range and it’s worth every penny. I’ve told all my white wine-loving friends to try it! From the brand: this vivid and enticing wine offers bright, stone fruit flavors of nectarine and apricot, as well as lovely notes of honeydew, lemongrass and grapefruit. O

n the palate, refreshing acidity mingles with a subtle sweetness that carries through to a fresh, lively finish. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc was the gateway wine into the world of Sauvignon Blancs for me. Readily available and in the $13-$16 range, it’s a wonderful, all-purpose white that’s crisp and tart. It pairs well with just about any food but especially seafood, chicken, and anything off the grill, plus it’s great to cook with. I jokingly call this a “poor man’s” good sauvignon blanc because the quality is better than a $5-7 bottle of wine, but if I had a choice I’d go with Whitehaven or Decoy, which happen to be a few bucks more. Still completely delicious though, and my friends and I tend to drink this wine the most when we get together. Kim Crawford has really pretty labels on their bottles right now which would make a great hostess gift tied simply with a ribbon! (Honorary shoutout to Kim Crawford’s Unoaked Chardonnay, which I recently tried. R

From the brand: an exuberant wine brimming with juicy acidity and fruit sweetness, providing a balanced flavor profile. The finish is fresh, zesty, and lingering. If I’m drinking red wine it’s almost always going to be cabernet sauvignon, which in my opinion is a white wine drinker’s red wine. That is to say, it’s easy to drink. 😀 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon is the wine we tend to pour on Sundays in the season that shall not be named when Ben or I have a big pot of stew, Sunday sauce, or gumbo simmering on the stove. This cabernet is a great one to slowly sip because I find it to be a bit bold, and it goes well with the hearty food we eventually pair it with. We usually find this cabernet in the $13-$15 range, making it the most “affordable” of my three favorite reds. I like taking this wine as a hostess gift because I find both red and white wine drinkers like it. From the brand: this vintage (2015) had a long, calm growing season, helping create elevated and concentrated flavors that include wild berries, plum, licorice and mocha. Th

e full-bodied and mouth-coating feel on the palate leads to a long, graceful finish with tones of intense fruit, dried herbs and cedar inside firm structure. Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon makes my list of 6 favorite wines under $20 because it’s very, very smooth and just totally yummy. It might be my favorite red wine under $20, actually! Just to paint you a picture – this cabernet is great to pair with cheese, crackers, and prosciutto, and enjoy by a warm fire. It’s usually just a dollar or two more than Louis Martini and I can find it pretty much everywhere. From the brand: the Indian Wells Cabernet is our warm climate ripe, jammy “New World” style of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine typifies the Wahluke Slope region with dark fruit aromas and flavors. Syrah added an enhanced richness and concentration to the wine. La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir is a great choice for when you want to switch your glass of red wine up. Pinot Noir grapes are notoriously hard to grow because they’re super sensitive to climate and soil changes, which means a GOOD pinot noir can be on the more expensive side. Th