You might long for Champagne-level flavors while sticking to a boxed-wine budget, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for something that tastes like spoiled vinegar. Quality can be found without breaking the bank.
Wine prices span the spectrum, from Trader Joe’s bargain selections to bottles that cost more than many people’s homes. Of course, collectors who splurge on rare vintages — like this 2005 Pétrus Pomerol that can fetch around $8,999.97 at some Total Wine stores — aren’t worrying about mortgage payments.
Total Wine describes its tasting notes with florid language that will charm some and bemuse others: “Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a supercaressing mouthfeel. Coffee, dark chocolate and berry. Chewy yet balanced. Very long in the mouth.”
There’s real meaning behind descriptors like “chewy” (which denotes a wine with a richer texture), and we’re here to point you toward some of the best cheap wines available. For this guide, “inexpensive” means under $14.
We’ll share recommendations and also tips for distinguishing inexpensive bottles that are worth your money when you’re browsing store shelves. We consulted sommeliers and wine pros to gather selection strategies and steer us to wallet-friendly finds.
The six affordable wines highlighted below come from:
- Israel
- South Africa
- Italy
- France
- California
- Chile
How Wine Pricing Works — A Quick Primer
Many shoppers assume higher price equals better wine. A $35 cabernet must be superior to one under $14, right? Not always. A bottle’s price is shaped by multiple factors.
Costs reflect materials, labor and scale of production. Big producers like Kendall-Jackson make millions of cases of chardonnay annually, while smaller estates such as Patz & Hall in Sonoma County produce far fewer bottles.
Depending on vintage and style, Kendall-Jackson chardonnay can be under $15, sometimes marked down to about $8 at large retailers. Meanwhile, Patz & Hall chardonnay typically sells for $30 or more because their annual production is roughly 15,000 cases. Scale matters in pricing.
Is a 2017 Patz & Hall better than the same year of Kendall-Jackson? Possibly — or possibly not. Part of price comes down to perceived value. Our main concern here is helping you find the best cheap wine available.
Don’t Be Swayed by Cute Labels or Familiar Names
Supermarkets stock hundreds of wines with generally fair prices. For many shoppers, the grocery wine aisle is the go-to. You’ll spot familiar labels like Yellow Tail from Australia, Robert Mondavi from California, and La Marca’s prosecco that’s often used for brunch mimosas.
(Small bubbly lesson: sparkling wine from France is Champagne; in Italy it’s prosecco; in Spain it’s cava.)
Some people assume France makes the best reds and California the best whites — perceptions that help set price points.
Then there are designs that catch the eye, which is how some bottles get chosen. How could you not be intrigued by Michael David’s Petite Petit with its carnival-style artwork? That mostly syrah-based blend can be found for about $13 or less on sale.
While grocery stores, Costco, Sam’s Club or Target can offer bargains, spotting truly good bottles amid a large assortment can be challenging.
Four Strategies to Find Great Cheap Wine
A specialty wine shop or a dedicated liquor superstore usually provides more guidance than a typical grocery store. Still, these tips will help you independently find plenty of excellent wines under $14 — even around $10.
1. Look Beyond Domestic Labels
The U.S., especially California, makes many terrific affordable wines, says Vincent Anter, founder and host of the V is for Vino series available on YouTube and other platforms.
Because California produces so much, it can be harder to spot standout value there.
South American wines often deliver solid value due to lower land and labor costs, while European options — particularly Italian bottles — can be economical for several reasons:
- Governmental support is available in many wine regions, helping keep prices down.
- Strict regulations govern yields, origin of grapes and use of additives, which can stabilize quality.
- Distribution systems in many European countries don’t involve a three-tier markup structure, which avoids cumulative price increases.
- Entry-level wine is common in Europe because wine is viewed as part of daily meals rather than a luxury, so producers make large quantities of affordable table wine.
2. Skip the Trendy Picks
Like other consumer goods, wine follows trends, notes Matt Woodburn-Simmonds of The Plate Unknown, a site devoted to global food and drink.
To get better value, avoid currently trendy varietals.
“Instead of a New Zealand sauvignon blanc or an Argentinian malbec, try an Argentinian cabernet franc or a New Zealand pinot gris,” he recommends. You’ll often pay similar prices but find better quality because demand isn’t driving prices up. You might find an Argentinian malbec at $14, but that $14 cabernet franc could be superior.
The same logic works for emerging Eastern European wine regions such as Greece, Slovenia and Hungary, which are producing high-quality wines at budget-friendly prices, Woodburn-Simmonds adds.
3. Try Unfamiliar Grapes
Rather than reaching for a Californian cabernet sauvignon — where the best fruit often ends up in pricier bottles — consider a cabernet from Argentina.
Argentina is famed for malbec, not cabernet, so cabernet grapes there may offer better quality relative to price, says Kathleen Bershad, author of The Wine Lover’s Apprentice and owner of Fine Wine Concierge in New York.
“Also, seek out grapes you don’t know,” she advises. “If you enjoy chardonnay, a torrontés can feel similar and deliver pleasing flavors, but because it’s less familiar, you’re likely to get higher quality for your money.”
You can find a respectable torrontés for about $5 to $10. For example, Mendoza Station Torrontes runs around $6.99 at Totalwine.com.
4. Mind the Wine’s Origin
Where grapes are grown and wine is produced heavily influences price, says Melissa Smith, founder of Enotrias Elite Sommelier Service in Oakland.
“Have you seen Napa Valley land prices?” she asks. “Combine that with expensive French oak barrels starting at hundreds of dollars each and celebrity winemakers, and you can understand why some cabernets hit the $100 mark.”
Smith recommends looking for value based on region:
- Seek regions that avoid heavy use of fertilizers or pesticides. Europe (think Bordeaux or Chianti), parts of North Africa (cabernet sauvignon or merlot) and the Middle East (chardonnay and sauvignon blanc) often fit this profile.
- Choose countries where wine is part of everyday life. Greece, Spain, Italy and France produce a lot of table wine in co-ops, where grapes meet certain standards and are processed in volume, keeping costs lower.
- Note where labor is intensive. Vineyards on steep hills or terraces require hand harvesting; labels that say “hand-picked” or “hand-harvested” indicate higher production costs, which usually raise the price even if the wine doesn’t taste markedly better.
For more budget-friendly bottle ideas, you can also explore our picks for best cheap white wine.
Six Affordable Wines to Sample From Around the World
Here’s a starter list of great-value wines to try. Taste these and then branch out to other producers from the same regions while keeping your budget in mind.
Israel
Try this — Recanati Yasmin Red
Taste — This bold, layered red comes from vineyards near the Sea of Galilee, according to Sneha Saigal, a New York sommelier who has lived in India and Spain. It blends merlot and cabernet sauvignon.
“It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats and barbecues, and it’s kosher, too,” Saigal says.
Price — $13.99 at Wineloftonline.com
South Africa
Try this — Radley & Finch “Alley Pack” Chenin Blanc
Taste — Chenin blanc has been cultivated in South Africa since the 1600s and originally comes from France, explains Gary Schueller, a New York wine buyer. It’s versatile, delivering styles from sparkling to still wines.
At lower price points, chenin blanc is usually medium-bodied, crisp and food-friendly, showing stone-fruit, pear, apple and yellow-citrus notes, Schueller says.
“Having sampled many wines at this price, it ranks near the top,” he notes.
Price — $10.99 at wine.com
Italy
Try this — Riff Pinot Grigio
Taste — Alicia Ortiz, formerly a communications lead at Sippd, a wine app that pairs wine with budgets, recommends this bottle from the Delle Venezie area. Fruit is sourced from reputable growers in northeast Italy.
Expect subtle apple and mineral notes in this light-bodied wine. It’s an excellent match for grilled fish or lighter fare.
Price — $11.99 at Totalwine.com
France
Try this — Jadot Beaujolais Villages
Taste — From France’s Beaujolais region, this gamay shows ripe raspberry and strawberry notes. It’s low in tannins, enjoyable slightly chilled, and pairs well with poultry and mild cheeses.
Price — $10.99 at Totalwine.com
California
Try this — Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc
Taste — California offers many tasty summer wines under $10, says wine writer Shana Bull of Sonoma County. This crisp bottle complements spring vegetables like asparagus with Parmesan or fish tacos.
Bonterra also makes a canned rosé under $10 that’s great with creamy brie and fresh berries — perfect for a picnic or a day at the beach, Bull says.
Price — $10.99 at Totalwine.com
Chile
Try this — Casa Julia Reserva Carmenere
Taste — Chile, home to some very old vines, produces impressive value wines that please beginners and seasoned drinkers alike. This bottle is made from vines more than 35 years old and typically sells for about $10, says Schueller.
A fun fact: Carmenere was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in Chile in the 1990s.
“This grape has a fascinating history and is finally getting the recognition it deserves,” Schueller says.
Price — $9.99 at Trainoswine.com
Hannah Reed is a freelance writer based in Chicago who covers consumer goods and budget-friendly shopping. Her work has appeared in various national outlets.
