15 Cheap Wines You Should Be Buying
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Buying cheap wine is a bit like playing Minesweeper: Sometimes, it blows up in your face when you open the bottle to find something undrinkable. It doesn't have to be this way, though. Wines under $15 may be considered cheap, but there are some gems out there that taste great. According to Smithsonian Magazine, recent scientific developments have been closing the quality gap between cheap and expensive wines. So these days, it's possible to get a decent, or even good wine for far less money than you'll pay for the high-end varieties.
If you're getting tired of drinking the same Two Buck Chuck all the time, it might be the perfect moment to try something new. Some of the best cheap wines come from well-known brands and wineries, but others are well-kept secrets you may have never heard of. There are a lot of inexpensive options out there, but you don't need to blindly try them one at a time to find the good ones. We've compiled a list of great wines that also happen to be cheap, so you can just locate these bottles and feel sure you're getting a lot of bang for your buck.
1. Tiny Umbrellas sweet wines
These delicious wines come from California winery Tiny Umbrellas, and are available in fruity flavors like strawberry, peach and pineapple. Each bottle costs about $6, so you'll be getting a great deal with this brand. Along with their fruit-flavored wines, Tiny Umbrellas also offers a range of traditional wines, like chardonnay, cabernet, and moscato. The brand appears to have shown up at Total Wine & More in 2020 (via YouTube), so they are a relatively new offering in the wine market.
With the variety of options available, you can get delicious, cheap wines from Tiny Umbrellas for every season. Their sweet fruity wines are perfect for drinking outdoors in warm weather, while their reds are great for wintery nights by the fireplace.
Tiny Umbrellas wines are available at your local Total Wine & More, and on their website. They can be found at other online retailers as well at similar price points. Since the brand is still expanding, if you are interested in having them available locally, you can also contact your nearest bottle shop and let them know you'd like them to carry this brand.
2. Borrasca Brut Cava
If you're a fan of sparkling wines like champagne and prosecco, you should consider drinking cava instead. This Spanish sparkling wine has similar bubbles to champagne and is produced using the same traditional method, according to Masterclass.
For a great, inexpensive introduction, you should try Borrasca brut cava, a light-bodied sparkling wine that will only cost you about $10 per bottle. This dry, bubbly wine is available at Total Wine & More, both in-stores and online. It also has great reviews if you want to hear testimonials before you try it out yourself.
Food and Wine says that cava is the most popular sparkling wine in Spain, and tends to have flavors tend that are more earthy than those of champagne. If you're interested in trying something different, find out what the Spanish like in their sparkling wine. It won't cost much to check out this international wine and expand your horizons. You can also mix it up by adding a splash of fruit juice to your cava for the perfect brunch beverage.
3. Mascota Vineyards La Mascota Cabernet 2019
This delicious red comes from Mascota Vineyards, and can be bought in a 2019 vintage for $15 or less. The La Mascota cabernet is highly rated, getting a 91 score from James Suckling, according to in-store signage at Total Wine & More. This wine originates from Argentina, which is known for its main export of malbecs, according to Wine Enthusiast, so it might be surprising to taste this impressive cabernet. It demonstrates that some Argentinian winemakers, like Mascota Vineyards, are dynamic in what they can produce well.
Some have even suggested that Mascota Vineyards is creating some of the best cabernets in the world. According to AzureAzure, the 2018 La Mascota cabernet was the first from Argentina to win the title of "best red wine in the world" from the Vinalies International competition. For this reason, they believe the winery is a well-kept secret, though surely Mascota will have more name recognition once more people have tried their wines.
Falling in the $15 range, this wine is one of the more expensive on the list, but it is still a cheap wine, especially considering that it is of such high quality. This is definitely one to buy for date night.
4. Moselland Black Cat Riesling
Who doesn't love a wine that comes in a cool bottle? The Moselland Black Cat Riesling is a lovely white wine and packaged in a delightful cat-shaped bottle. Cat people, rejoice! It costs about $14 or so if purchased from Total Wine & More, and has great reviews from those who have given feedback online.
The style of wine is known as a Mosel riesling, after the Mosel river that runs through the famous wine region in Germany, according to Wine Enthusiast. They explain that this part of the country is mountainous with a cool climate, leading to riesling grapes with a light and crisp flavor profile that create a delicious and dry wine. This Moselland riesling is no exception.
Of course, even if you find that the wine doesn't suit your tastes, there's still plenty to love with the bottle. You could even repurpose it as a vase or olive oil container afterward. You'll be getting a two-for-one deal by trying out this excellent German white wine.
5. Uro Toro La Enfermera Tempranillo 2018
If you're a fan of red wines, you really should try this 2018 Uro Toro Enfermera Tempranillo. It's available to purchase for about $10 at Total Wine & More, making it a steal of a deal. This particular wine received 91 points from wine expert James Suckling, according to in-store signage, which is a very favorable rating.
For those not familiar with tempranillo, Masterclass explains it is a style of red wine typically grown in Spain, where it is a popular choice among locals. They also state that it has a "savory smoothness and fruity finish" that make it a great choice for pairing with most dishes. In other words, if you can't decide on what wine to have with dinner, you might want to give tempranillo a shot.
Notably, this wine also comes from the Rioja region of Spain, which is one of the well-known areas for tempranillo, according to Wine Spectator. So you can take comfort in knowing that this wine is coming from one of the central hubs of tempranillo, even if you're getting a it for a surprisingly low price.
6. Barefoot moscato
Some of the most popular cheap wines come from Barefoot. They are mass-produced to meet high demand, and can be counted on to be consistent. These wines are award-winning and come in a number of flavors and styles, all available for only about $5 or $6 per bottle. You can find them at many retailers nationwide, including Target and Walmart. But if you've never tried them before, you might want to start with the moscato.
Barefoot makes a wonderful moscato that tastes like a treat after a long day. It is very sweet, and pleasant to sip on whether you're winding down or hanging out with friends. Plus, it's just as good at room temperature as it is chilled (although many prefer their moscato at a cool temperature).
According to Wired, the popularity of wine has been increasing over time, with about one-quarter of Americans now drinking wine at least once per month. With the number of options that inexpensive brands like Barefoot are offering, it's no wonder that more people are turning to wine as their beverage of choice. This is definitely one you'll want to become familiar with, because Barefoot wines are well worth a few dollars.
7. Oliver Winery Blueberry Moscato
Some of the best wineries are still flying under the radar for many of us, and it's just a matter of time before one of their products puts them on the map. Oliver Winery is one of those great-quality winemakers who are becoming a go-to for people who love wine.
Based in Indiana, Oliver Winery makes a number of tasty, sweet wines that are fruit-forward and affordable. Their blueberry moscato only costs about $10 from Total Wine & More, and has great ratings on the product page, currently 4.7 out of 5 stars based on user reviews. The description also states that this particular wine is the most popular choice in the Oliver Winery tasting room.
The blueberry moscato from Oliver Winery has even been featured in Delish, where it was described as a "semi-sweet" wine that is great for sipping outdoors at the pool, or on your patio. Plus, they say it's already won gold in a wine competition. Apparently, people love this wine, and at such a low price point, it's certainly worth finding out if you'll love it too.
8. Martin's Pick Up Cabernet
This Australian winery has several cheap wine options, but their cabernet stands out for its flavor and easy drinkability. Martin's Pick Up cabernet has excellent fruit flavors, including blackberry and plum, and only costs about $7 from Total Wine & More. It also has good reviews online, generally receiving around 4 out of 5 stars. It's described as a full-bodied wine, so it pairs well with a hearty meal or dinner.
Rather than spending a ton on a cabernet from Napa, you can get an awesome deal on this one, and even purchase it online. With big, bold flavors, Martin's cabernet will not let you down. It is shockingly tasty for how cheap it is.
This flavor is also available in a 1.5 liter bottle for about $12 at Total Wine & More, so you can have plenty to share by saving even more on a wine that's already at a great price. Once you try this wine, you'll be recommending it to all of your friends. It really is that good.
9. Ancient Roots Red Blend
This California red blend from Ancient Roots is $7 at Total Wine & More, and is notable for its fruity flavors and great reviews. Currently, it has about 4.5 out of 5 stars. You might not expect a wine to get so much praise at this price point, but people love it. Described as medium-bodied with cherry and vanilla flavors, you are in for a treat if you give this cheap wine a try.
If you're wondering what type of grape is used in a red blend, Food & Wine explains that these blends are not limited to any particular variety of grape. Rather, they're made of a mix that could contain merlot, cabernet, pinot, syrah, pinot noir and other grape varieties. So don't be surprised if you find a wide range of flavors in the red blends you try. They really are a mix of all sorts of red, but often producers are able to create a unique and delicious wine from their experiments. Take a bottle of this Ancient Roots red blend home to get a great deal on great flavor.
10. Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2020
For a great deal on a white wine, look no further than the 2020 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling. This crisp and light riesling from Washington state goes for about $8 to $10 on sites like Wine.com and Empire Wine, and can even be found at large retailers like Walmart. Plus, it gets very good reviews online from bloggers and large publications alike.
Wine Enthusiast gives this wine a rating of 90, and lists it as a "best buy." Described as aromatic with a pleasing acidity, this riesling is the perfect choice for a dry white wine that has interesting characteristics but is still inexpensive.
If you want to move away from the darker and heavier wines, this is the direction for you. As a cheap option, you'll get good quality from this wine and be trying something from a region that normally doesn't get enough attention in the world of wine. When was the last time you tried a wine from the Pacific Northwest? It might just be the perfect time to go for it.
11. Sipwell 2020 Go Getter Red
If you haven't heard of Sipwell yet, now is a great time to get familiar. Their 2020 sparkling Go Getter Red is an editor's choice at Wine Enthusiast. They rated this California wine, which features cranberry and pomegranate flavors to enjoy, a solid 88 points. These are sold in cans that cost about $7 each, so you can enjoy a decent serving of wine on the go. The portability factor makes these great for the beach or to take to a party.
This type of red wine is known as a dolcetto, which is a rich, Italian red style known for its fruity flavors and low acidity, according to Wine Enthusiast. Sipwell also makes a red grenache that can be purchased as a combo pack with cans of their Go Getter Red, if you want to try a couple of flavors.
According to their Instagram, Sipwell is a woman-owned and black-owned business, so you can feel good about supporting them as they grow. Have a sip of their Go Getter Red and find out for yourself what all the hype is about.
12. Corte Vigna Pinot Grigio
If you're looking for a white wine that will only cost about $5 per bottle, this Corte Vigna pinot grigio may be perfect for you. Available from retailers like Total Wine & More, you can get a great deal on every delicious bottle. This is a white wine with bright and lively flavors, including pear and jasmine notes that will make this great for drinking in warm spring weather.
Wine Lover's Agency sells this pinot grigio by the bottle or case, and describes it as a floral wine that pairs well with a number of dishes, including pastas and cheeses. It tends to be on the dry side and has a fresh taste that is unexpected for how little it costs.
As cheap wines go, this one is a no-brainer. If you want a nice, dry white wine that you can stock up on for very little out-out-pocket, you can't go wrong with this option.
13. Yellow Tail Big Bold Red
Yellow Tail is another brand you might be familiar with, as they mass-produce many of the wines you can get a great deal on. One of their best is the Big Bold Red wine, available for around $5 per bottle from Total Wine & More, along with many other retailers. The Yellow Tail site describes their Big Bold Red wine as "fruity, rich and easy to drink." We couldn't agree more. It's an excellent option for just a few dollars, with tons of flavor, as the name implies.
There's a reason this brand is so popular, and it's because people love their wines and wide selection of options. The Big Bold Red is a tasty wine for relaxing dinners at home, and thankfully won't break the bank. It's nice to be able to unwind with a glass without having to consider how much it costs.
Another great thing about Yellow Tail is that many of their wines are available in larger sizes for just a few dollars more. For example, you can upgrade to a 1.5 liter bottle of Big Bold Red and still be paying only about $10 total.
14. Trapezio Malbec 2017
The 2017 Trapezio Malbec stands out in this price range. This well-rated wine only costs about $10 from retailers like Total Wine & More, but seems to impress almost everyone who tries it. It received 90 points from wine expert James Suckling, who said it's "fresh on the palate with vibrant acidity and a fruity finish. Drink now." That's definitely high praise.
Produced in Argentina, this medium-bodied malbec is one of many regularly exported from the country. In fact, Wine Enthusiast says that malbec makes up about half of the wine shipped out of Argentina. With malbecs making up the bulk of their worldwide wine production, it makes sense that even a cheap malbec from Argentina would be great. They've got the market cornered, and have figured out how to make this type of wine right.
So if you have a preference for malbec reds, or simply want to try something new, give this Trapezio malbec a shot, and you may find that you have a new favorite. Even if you don't love it, for $10, you really can't go wrong.
15. La Delizia Pinot Noir
The pinot noir produced by La Delizia is delicious, just like the name of the winery implies. This Italian red wine costs approximately $6, and can be purchased from retailers like Total Wine & More. With strong fruit flavors, like cherry and raspberry, this is a good choice if you want a wine that is tasty and stands well on its own. It will definitely leave you impressed.
The Miami New Times recognized this wine as a great and affordable option to bring for Thanksgiving, calling it an, "underrated" wine that goes down easy. This assessment definitely rings true, and you'll likely find the same if you give it a try. It's definitely a bargain, especially if you want a wine that has a lot of personality and flavor without spending too much money.
Taking it to a group dinner is a great idea, because not only will you have brought a great wine for everyone to enjoy, but you can turn them on to one of the best red wine deals. If you see the La Delizia pinot noir in your local wine store, definitely grab a bottle. You won't regret it.