The 10 best affordable wines to drink right now
It’s recycling day, and I’m embarrassed.
My blue bin is being dumped and the clinking bottles sound like closing time in the back alley of a dive bar. Our neighbors know we haven’t thrown any parties lately, so it’s just us.
There is some comfort in knowing we aren’t alone in our extra consumption. According to analysis conducted by Wine Intelligence, we’re all drinking more:
“US regular wine drinkers are becoming more frequent drinkers of wine in general during the shelter-in-place orders and other restrictions on movement in effect in most US states. Most of this change appears to be around non-food occasions, either during the day or before the evening meal.”
One such lockdown occasion they reference is sharing wine with friends over zoom. We have definitely done a few of these fun and easy virtual wine tastings!
All this extra wine consumption can put a serious dent in your budget if you aren’t careful. Fortunately, there are many affordable everyday wines that taste great and are easy to source.
Here are some of our go-to selections. All of these wines retail for under $20, and are distributed nationally to Total Wine, BevMo, Specs, and most national grocery stores.
We recommend grabbing a few extra bottles to share with your neighbors and maybe your recycling won’t stand out among the block!
Best White Wines Under $20
all of these wines are light, refreshing easy drinkers ~great on own, with small bites, or light meal
Naked Grape Pinot Grigio
~$8, light and crisp. aromas and flavors of pear, meyer lemon
Simi Sauvignon Blanc
~$12, aromas of meyer lemon, grapefruit, minerals. flavors of green apple and nectarines
Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier
~ $15, bright refreshing acidity, clean finish. aromas of honeysuckle, orange blossom, peach. flavors of tangerine, citrus, green apple
St Supery Sauvignon Blanc
~$18, medium bodied with zestful finish. aromas and flavors of pink grapefruit, lime, subtle notes of green guava and fennel
William Hill Chardonnay
~$18, smooth, well-balanced, crisp acidity, creamy mouthfeel. aromas and flavors of honeydew, pear, apple crumble, hints of meyer lemon, nutmeg
Best Red Wines Under $20
I refer to these as “ingredients to dessert “ wines. Pop open while you cook and enjoy through your meal
Gascon Malbec
~$12, elegant, rich texture with soft, round tannins and long velvety finish. aromas and flavors of blackberry, blueberry, plum, dark cherry, hint of mocha
Erath Pinot Noir
~$13, fresh and lively, fruit forward with food friendly acidity. aromas of raspberry, black cherry, nutmeg. flavors of mixed berries and pomegranate
E.Guigal Cotes Du Rhone
~$15, aromatic, smooth, well-balanced tannins, long finish. aromas of ripe cherries, raspberries. flavors of red berries and spices
Decoy Merlot by Duckhorn
~$18, soft, smooth finish with well integrated tannins. aromas of plum, cedar, notes of baking spices. flavors of fresh strawberries, raspberries
Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon
~$18, complex yet well-balanced and smooth. aromas and flavors of red cherry, blackberry, and fresh sage with notes of mocha and vanilla
What are your go-to under $20 every day bottles?
