What a Sommelier Drinks on a Budget – Part 1

Let’s be honest: as much as we’d all like to drink a $100 bottle of wine each night, for most of us, that isn’t an option. So, what’s a wine lover to do?

Well, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best wines in our shop – all under $20. Each of these wines represents a great value and have been our favorites for a long time. Now, we want to share them with you! If you see something you like, you can now buy it online and pick it up in store! 

Coming it at just under $20, this Alexander Valley Cabernet is a stunner for its price. Lots of plum, blackcurrant, and raspberry flavors give this wine all the body it needs to pair with everything from grilled pork to steak! For those looking for a Napa Cabernet without the Napa price tag, you’ll be hard pressed to look for a better value than this.

South America produces some excellent wines, and just as importantly, those wines are often great values. The Los Vascos Cabernet is bursting with ripe fruit flavors and firm tannins that make it the perfect everyday-drinker. We like pairing it with BBQ, grilled meats, and roasted veggies.

Balance is the name of the game with Chardonnay, and it can be tricky to find a wine at a lower price point that walks the fine like of ripe fruit and oak barrel aging. This Central Coast Chardonnay from Calera does exactly that with ripe apple and lemon flavors and a subtle hint of vanilla and toast flavors from the time it spent in oak.

Wine made from lesser known grapes can also be a great place to look for hidden gems and high-value wines. This Spanish wine is made of 100% Monestrell (known as Mourvedre in France), and we’re in love with its blackberry and violet aroma. It’s perfect for cooking out or enjoying by itself during a night in.

It’s hard to beat a $8.99 bottle of wine, right? Vinho Verde is a young, slightly spritzy white wine from northern Portugal that’s loaded with citrus flavors and crisp acidity. This has become our go-to wine for warm afternoons in the summer.

Yes-way rosé! It’s high rosé season and whether you’ve been drinking pink for yours or have yet to have a sip, this is a rosé full of ripe raspberry and strawberry flavors. It’s perfect for sipping out by the pool with friends. This might just be our wine of the summer!

Check back next week for part 2!