With a seemingly limitless selection of bottles available it’s easier than ever to explore new regions, or varietals. To save some time at the store we’re rounding up the best finds $20 and under!
Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2016
From: Rhone, France
Varietal: GSM Blend
Price: $15
So my husband took the first sip of this when we opened the bottle and immediately goes “Oooooo you’re going to like this one!” and you know what – he was right! This wine is abundant in black fruit flavors and well balanced tannins. This GSM blend is made up of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre and at $15/bottle it is such a great value!
J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
From: Paso Robles, California
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $16
This is a great go to Cab that can be found at most grocery, wine, or liquor stores. Perfect for those nights you don’t have time (or are too impatient) to aerate the wine. It’s great out of the bottle. It’s smooth with lots of dark berries and floral notes. This wine is a great value, and a good one to always have on hand.
Vaglio Aggie Malbec 2018
From: Mendoza, Argentina
Varietal: Malbec
Price: $19
You can’t go wrong with this classic Argentina Malbec. It’s intense and rich and full of fruity notes like blackberry and blueberry. This would pair nicely with a savory or spicy meat dish!
Lapis Luna Zinfandel 2018
From: North Coast, CA
Varietal: Zinfandel
Price: $15
Light fruit forward Zinfandel filled with blueberry and blackberry flavors. We used this wine in our red wine chocolate ganache filled cupcakes and the berry notes in it paired soooo well with the dark chocolate cupcake.
Wilson Creek Almond Sparkling Wine
From: Temecula, CA
Price: $10 – $17
(This is always going on sale, and if you live locally Costco sells it for $10/bottle!)
Varietal: Sparkling Wine
You guys, this is one of Temecula’s favorite wines. Ask anyone to name a wine they had here and nine times out of ten they’re going to tell you Wilson Creek’s Almond Sparkling. In fact I loved this wine so much (and so do all our friends and family) that we did splits of this as wedding favors. This bubbly is not too sweet, not too dry and very well balanced.
What’s your favorite go-to wine? Let us know in the comments, we’re always looking for an excuse to try something new!