Great Wines Under $10?
It is increasingly difficult to find good wines with character under ten dollars. I often find that in a price jump from $12-15 wines are considerably better and $15-20 will get you fine quality wine with good complexity and appealing dimension.
So what are you drinking on any given evening that isn’t breaking the bank? What wines have you bought that turned out to be a bargain? I want to know your favorite wines for $10 and less.
The pricing seems to be ever flexible. I just picked up some lovely Guigal Cotes du Rhone last week. Which you dear Kate, introduced me to late last year. It was on sale at $9.52 per bottle, down over $4.00 per bottle.
I have found that imported wines are really battling with the exchange rate. New Zealand whites and French reds that were well priced a year ago are now 50% higher.
This has encouraged me to try new wines , some closer to home — and selecting a few that seem to have had a dramatic price slashing.
Kurt
Kate, I have picked out three of my favorites at Rosauers, all under $10.
My favorite affordable varietal, Malbec,San Telmo, $8.59.
Masciarelli Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo, $8.69, Great character for the price.
Cellier Des Dauphins, $9.29, nice Cotes Du Rhone in a pricey looking package, great for entertaining.
woop woop shiraz is a fav or mine and a few friends. my friend rachel would have some good suggestions, too. i’m sure she’ll soon be visiting this page.
I have been a big fan of Bonny Doon, for a long time. They have a Big House Red that is easy drinking and generally under 10 bucks. I also really like (in the summer) their very crisp Pacific Rim Riesling. I believe they have 3 versions of this the bottle I like has sushi on the back of the bottle.
https://www.bonnydoonvineyard.com/
Kate, love your column!
Whenever we’re hosting a dinner party or are selected to bring wine for a big family gathering, I’ve come to rely on Cline Zinfandel. It’s usually about $9/$10, looks relatively expensive and is smooth, easy drinking and a true crowd pleaser.
Menage a trois is also another easy-drinking table red, and Marietta Old Vine Red is a great wine for about $9 that will pair as easily with fruit, cheese and dessert as it will a fairly hearty meal.
I love wine and I’m always on a budget. But you know… a gal can’t live on cheap jugs of Carlo Rossi Paisano forever.
I like my Italians, though… and one of my favorite wines is quite frequently available under $10. I just bought a bottle tonight on my way home from a hectic work-week. Ecco Domani Merlot. Taystee! Just under ten bucks at Safeway right now.
And I don’t care if some popular media sources (what was that famous funny movie about wine tasters?) says that merlot is a wine for uninitiated troglodyte vinowannabees… it works for me.
I could go on, but I need to refill my glass.
Kate,
I realize this is off thread, but I have a question.
Since it has turned so cold, I’ve a hankering for something hearty. You know meat and potatoes. I was thinking German food fare; hearty — something for after skiing or chopping wood. Sauerbraten, roasted potatoes and rutabagas, basically a stew of meat and root vegetables.
Is there something beyond liebfraumilch, riesling or gewurtraimier? Are there German reds to be considered?
Kurt
Dare I say it sounds like you are craving a Beaujolais style wine? As long as it isn’t nouveau then we have a very interesting exchange here.
Your hankering craving is a reality for those of us who have just gotten off the slopes, looking for solace in a bowl of warm Sauerbraten. And what better than a refreshing, light, fruity but acidic red German wine to accompany your stew? Unfortunately, these are rare and specialty creatures as very few of them are exported out of the country. Often what red is exported tends to be sweeter and more spicy than what you are longing for to accompany your meal of stewed beef and root veggies.
The grapes you need to look for in a wine to accompany this meal are Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Gamay, or Lemberger. You may find more wine choices for this meal from Germany’s lovely neighboring country, Austria. Lemberger is the traditional red grape of Austria. It is light, fruity, rich in extract, tannic and possibly quite perfect for German fare. Actually, Clear Weather wines here in Missoula makes a wonderful Lemberger, called Blue Frank. (http://www.lakemissoulacellars.com/clearweather_Wines.htm). You might also look for a Zweigelt which is often compared to wines produced with the gamay grape. If no avail, look for the French to save the day with a favorite Chinon, Beaujolias or Burgundy.
Prost!
Austrian, I hadn’t thought about that. I’ll seek it out. Maybe I’ll add some local cheese to go with it as well — Lemberger with a little limburger!
1. Lavradores de Feitoria Douro, Vinho Tinto 2005 ($6-$8). Wow, drinks like a $20 bottle, port grape varieties from Portugal in a red table wine, almost sweet blackberry fruit, medium to full body, delicious.
2. Marietta Old Vine Red ($10) Big and juicy, zin and field blend, blended by lot, not vintage makes it consistantly good, California. Buy it by the case.
3. Antica Osteria Rosso, Italy. Italian Sangiovese and ??, doesn’t say but guess Merlot/Cab. Richer, sweeter fruit than counterparts, ie Santa Christina, etc. First bought at Trader Joes, available at CVS ($9).
Try some method Champenoise Freixenet Cordon Negro (Brut).
Under $10. Great as an appetizer drink. Great for celebrating. Goes well with any meal. Great for deserts. NO headaches. You get a lot for the price.
Enjoy!!
I think that Barefoot Merlot is pretty tasty ……….. AND under $10
A good one that I have found is SeaRidge Merlot and Cab. It goes with just about any meal and it is great alone as well. Doesn’t dye the teeth! Usually comes around $5-$6 per bottle and you can find it at Albertsons usually. Drink up!
I enjoy your column. Like everything else, one can take wine enthusiasm just about as far as infinity. I have too many interests to go very far, but I do love to cook, eat and drink! I also enjoy the “do-it-yourself” thing. I got a hot-air popcorn popper and I have been playing with roasting my own coffee (sweetmarias.com) – it’s fun and yields great coffee. Years ago, before kids, I enjoyed brewing beer and achieved pretty satisfactory results. I am now more of a wine drinker and have brifly checked-out the home-vinting kits available on-line. I am wondering if you have explored that arena of activity or if you have gotten any communication from anyone who is actively involved in that. Any info would be appreciated.
One more thing, what do you know about “subscribing” to wine-of-the-month (or quarter) deals, like “Wines of Mendoza”? Can we receive them in Montana?
Cheers! Rick
I absolutely love the Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc for 6 or 7 dollars a bottle.