When winter rolls around, you might be searching for wallet-friendly bottles of flavorful red wine with sturdy tannins to pair with colder nights, heartier meals and roaring fires.
You don’t have to splurge to enjoy a rich red. Quality can still shine through at modest prices. We examined well-known wine sellers to identify the best inexpensive red wines, along with some affordable, lesser-known picks. We also consulted Nick Elliott, a winemaking specialist based in California, for his insights.
We share useful guidance on choosing red wines and what influences their pricing. But if you just want to get straight to the roundup of 13 excellent budget reds, we get it.
Setting the Table for Red Wine: A Brief Q&A
Before diving into our list of economical red wines, let’s cover a few frequent questions that surface when discussing red wine.
Why Are Some Red Wines So Expensive?
There are multiple factors. Here are common elements that push up the price of red wines.
- Age:Red wines are aged, and longer cellar time increases the cost to bring them to market. A loose guideline: consider roughly a dollar per year of aging.
- Smaller yields:Compared with many whites, red grape lots are often smaller to concentrate flavor. Lower output usually means higher prices.
- Labor intensity:Smaller “boutique” vineyards frequently rely on more hands-on practices than mass producers.
- Reduced supply:When a vintage yields less fruit, the wine can be more concentrated but scarcer. That scarcity can boost demand and price.
- Reputation:Varietals or producers with cachet or trendiness can command premium pricing.
- Labor and taxes:Labor expenditures vary worldwide. Taxes and tariffs also affect final cost.
- Oak barrels:Wines matured in oak are pricier to make and often sought after.
Does Expensive Red Wine Always Taste Better?
Not always. Expectations can color perception. One intriguing study showed that price information can sway taste judgments. In blind tastings, participants told a wine was costly tended to score it higher — even if it was actually inexpensive.
What Are Some Common Red Wine Myths?
Myth: Red wine should never be chilled. Actually, not necessarily. Light- to medium-bodied reds with mild tannins can benefit from slight cooling. Suggested serving temperatures for reds typically range from 13˚C to 18˚C (55˚F to 64˚F) — somewhat cooler than many expect.
Myth: Never drink boxed red wine. Don’t dismiss it outright. If the packaging guards the wine from light and oxygen, boxed wine can be perfectly satisfactory — and it’s often more sustainable.
Myth: Red blends are inferior to single-varietal wines. Consider Champagne — it’s a blended wine. So blends can be just as esteemed.
13 of the Best Cheap Red Wines Under $18
Cabernet Sauvignon
Best bottle:Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
The taste:This South African cabernet sauvignon is medium- to full-bodied with notes of black currant and a spicy oak presence.
Pair it with:Casual pizza or pasta nights. For a heartier match, try it with grilled New York strip steak with salsa verde.
Price$8.49 at Marketviewliquor.com
If You Like Cabernet Sauvignon … Try Tannat
Best bottle:Inkarri Estate Red Blend
The taste:Tannat is still under the radar — but worth exploring. Originating from the Basque region between France and Spain and now grown elsewhere, it’s the lead grape in this all-organic blend from Mendoza, Argentina. Expect herbal, oaky and spicy layers over blueberry, blackberry and elderberry flavors.
Pair it with:Hearty, earthy dishes featuring eggplant and mushrooms, as well as cheeses, beef and roasted lamb. A classic cassoulet works well.
Price:$17.97 at Wine Chateau
Merlot
Best bottle:Bonterra Merlot
The taste:This earthy Californian merlot shows aromas of black cherry, plum and a touch of spice. It’s medium-bodied with supple tannins and is made from organically farmed grapes.
Pair it with:Beef, lamb or veal. A classic French veal blanquette is a fitting companion.
Price:$14.95 at BuyWinesOnline
If You Like Merlot … Try Chianti
Best bottle:Gancia Chianti 2019
The taste:From Tuscany, this dry, full-bodied red has a silky feel with notes of tobacco, cherry and tomato leaf.
Pair it with:Perfect for casual gatherings with pasta and tomato sauce, antipasti or lasagna.
Price:$10.99 at Wine.com
Pinot Noir
Best bottle: Mirassou Winery Pinot Noir
The taste:This fruit-forward pinot noir carries black cherry and cranberry notes with hints of black currant.
Pair it with:Red meats like steak, especially dishes with mushrooms or truffles such as garlic-butter herb steak and mushrooms.
Price:$10.48 at Walmart
If You Like Pinot Noir … Try Beaujolais
Best bottle:Louis Jadot Beaujolais
The taste:Like pinot noir, this lively wine is fruit-driven and juicy, with strawberry notes, peppery undertones, tannins and bright acidity. It’s often recommended for Thanksgiving because it pairs well with the meal’s flavors.
Pair it with:French fare like a charcuterie board or soft cheeses. For a twist, match it with a nutty semi-sweet dessert such as pecan pie.
Price:$11.99 at Total Wine
Zinfandel
Best bottle:Bogle Old Vines Zinfandel 2021
The taste:Expect black pepper alongside cranberry and raspberry flavors in this hearty red.
Pair it with:Tender grilled lamb chops like these grilled lamb chops.
Price:$9.99 at Wine.com
If You Like Zinfandel … Try Garnacha/Grenache
Best bottle:Borsao Garnacha 2022
The taste:Often overlooked, this is a lovely alternative to its bolder cousin, zinfandel. Garnacha (also known as grenache) originated in Spain and is commonly grown in southern France. Expect red berry and plum flavors with a hint of spice.
Pair it with:Poultry, pork or BBQ. A roasted pork tenderloin with a blackberry sauce is a delicious match — try this roasted pork tenderloin.
Price:$10.95 at BuyWinesOnline
Malbec
Best bottle:Alamos Malbec 2019
The taste:From Mendoza, Argentina, this wine shows bright cherry and light toasty florals. It’s a ripe, concentrated red with black raspberry, chocolate and spice nuances.
Pair it with:Steak, pork and lamb. Try it with a savory burger topped with Creole mustard tomato jam to highlight the wine’s flavors.
Price:$8.99 at Total Wine
If you like Malbec … Try Carmenere
Best bottle:Root 1 Carmenere 2019
The taste:From Chile, this medium-bodied red is earthy with cedar notes and hints of spice, leather and tobacco.
Pair it with:Pasta, vegetable soups, spicy dishes and grilled meats. It pairs well with garlic, fresh herbs and eggplant — eggplant parmesan is a fine option.
Price:$12.99 at Wine.com
Shiraz/Syrah
Best bottle:19 Crimes Shiraz Durif
The taste:This lively shiraz features bold vanilla notes balanced by ripe raspberry and plum fruit. It’s full-bodied with a subtle sweetness.
Pair it with:Braised beef or a roasted leg of lamb such as this recipe for leg of lamb with garlic and rosemary.
Price:$9.99 at Wine Anthology
If You Like Shiraz/Syrah … Try Petite Sirah
Best bottle:Bogle Petite Sirah
The taste:Comparable to syrah, this petite sirah delivers ripe plum and blackberry flavors but with added complexity and rich spice.
Pair it with:Roasted pork, barbecue or a grilled flank steak with bacon chive butter.
Price:$8.99 at Total Wine
Best Cheap Red Wine Blends
Best bottle:Bodegas Luzon Verde 2021
The taste:This organic red from Jumilla, Spain, offers aromas of red fruit with floral hints. It’s full, rich and lush on the palate.
Pair it with:Braised short ribs, sausages and rich pasta dishes. Try it alongside this creamy Italian sausage pasta.
Price:$15.99 at Wine.com
Contributor Danielle Hale is a Chicago-based writer who covers consumer products and budget-friendly shopping. Her pieces have appeared in publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post and Real Simple.
Senior writer Marcus Allen also contributed.
