Best Inexpensive Wine

Minutely hazy old gold color. Aromas and flavors of honey roasted apples and nuts, dried pear, and strawberry jam with a supple, bright, finely carbonated, fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, interesting, long finish with suggestions of apple and pineapple shrub, baking spices, and fallen trees in the forest. A delightfully deep and flavorful French Cider for all occasions.

Burnt sienna color. Aromas of tamarind, ripe strawberry, raspberry syrup, pineapple confection, spiced grapefruit, and passionfruit with a racy, very sweet medium-to-full body and an effortless, intricate, long honeycomb, lychee, and bing cherry finish with well-integrated, fruit tannins. A serious fruit wine with excellent complexity and depth; a superior after-dinner choice.

Deep purple color. Aromas and flavors of black currant, black olive , dark chocolate, fresh violet, and fennel with a velvety, lively, dry full body and a peppery, elegant, very long finish with notes of baked blackberry, fig, eucalyptus, and cedar with heavy oak flavor. A lush and mighty Napa Cabernet that broods with dark fruits while still showing nuance of purple flowers and herbs.

Awards: '2021 World Value Wine Challenge-Top 10 Red Wine $20 and Under' Best Value US Cabernet Sauvignon

Dusty ruby color. Aromas of raspberry thumbprint cookies, grilled ladyfingers, redwood, and pimento with a round, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, complex, long chocolate mousse and baklava finish with heavy oak flavor. A decadent and distinctive Cabernet Franc that assuages the palate with creamy oak and enlivens with snappy fruit and charming terroir.

Black violet color. Floral aromas of spiced plum, blackberry and jasmine tea with a lightly tannic, lively, fruity full body and a warming, thought-provoking, very long toasted stollen, hints of rose, apricot, and chocolate-covered raspberry jam finish with firm tannins and heavy oak flavor. The boldest Columbia Valley Cabernet; unrelenting flavor and structure here to last a long cellaring, though this is undeniably delicious right now.

Awards: '2021 World Value Wine Challenge-Top 10 Red Wine $8 and Under' Exceptional Value

Ruby black color. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, cherry tobacco, cocoa, and vintage leather with a tannic, racy, dry full body and a warming, very long finish revealing notes of cranberry sage jam, rose hip, cured meats, and juniper with firm, well-integrated tannins and moderate oak flavor. Complexity abounds in this Brunello; easily pair with show-stopping meals or allow it to unfold in the glass over long conversations.

Awards: '2021 World Value Wine Challenge-Top 10 Red Wine $15 and Under' Best Value Tuscan Red

Brilliant straw color. Aromas of peach puree, fresh apricot, yellow apple, lime zest, and lemon candy with a satiny, lively, fizzy, moderately sweet light-to-medium body and an interesting, relaxed lemon curd, honeycomb, pineapple cola, mineral, and peach syrup finish with no oak flavor. An ethereal, delicious, and precisely balanced Sparkling Moscato; ready to pair with a fresh fruit and cream dessert - or replace dessert entirely.

White gold color. Green, grassy aromas and flavors of tropical flowers and leaves, peach-pear compote, and honeyed herbs and spice with a round, vibrant, effervescent, sweet medium body and a sleek, nuanced, very long finish displaying notes of tropical fruit salad, orange and apricot sorbets, and wet sandstone. A robust, concentrated Moscato d’Asti with great fruity flavor and length.

Awards: '2019 World Value Wine Challenge-Top 5 Sparkling Wine $20 and Under' Best Value Italian Wine Exceptional Value

Black garnet color. Aromas of blistered berries, grilled root vegetables, green bell pepper, fava beans, and earth with a round, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, complex, medium-long mixed berry tart, tomato leaf, caramel, white peppercorn, and tobacco finish with moderate oak flavor. A charmingly green and smoky Merlot with great body and lengthy finish.

Golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of honey, caramel, rum-soaked apricot, candied pineapple, and suede with a round, tangy, very sweet medium-to-full body and a subtle, long finish imparting shades of honey-roasted macadamia nuts, brown butter, allspice, and salted pecans. A divine, Sauternes-esque Late Harvest wine that delights the senses.