What are your favorite wines for $15 or less?

[Laurie4b]

I'm particularly interested in Merlot, but would like to hear about any you particularly like. I'm looking for wine for drinking with dinner on a regular basis and am tired of trial and error.

[Teachaheart]

I enjoy the Tin Roof Cellars Merlot and usually find it for around $10.

[melissel]

If you're interested in whites, I recommend Cupcake pinot grigio and chardonnay (LOVE this!), Crane Lake pinot grigio, and Souverain chardonnay (might be hard to find, I don't think there's much left). These range between $8 and $13 here. I've been trying to keep track of the ones I like, and I've identified these three in the last few weeks.

 

ETA that DH likes pretty much anything under the Mondavi and Woodbridge names. I'm not a hug fan of reds, but he is.

[PrincessAriel]

I like Beringer's white zinfandel and I am pretty sure they make a merlot as well. It's around $7.99 a bottle.

[KatieH]

I like Oliver, especially their Camelot honey mead! Their wines are pretty sweet, though, which I know many wine drinkers don't like.

[melissel]

I like Oliver, especially their Camelot honey mead! Their wines are pretty sweet, though, which I know many wine drinkers don't like.

 

I do! :D I'll be sure to check it out! I'm :lurk5: for more ideas.

[rwjx2khsmj]

The Black Opal Carbernet Merlot would be one of our all time favorites.

[Mrs Mungo]

I'm particularly interested in Merlot, but would like to hear about any you particularly like. I'm looking for wine for drinking with dinner on a regular basis and am tired of trial and error.

 

What do you like/not like?

 

My dh likes cheap red wine like Lambrusco. I prefer light whites like Spatlese Rieslings.

[Laurie4b]

I don't like wine that kinda "bites". (Since I am not high enough class to know the correct nomenclature, that is the best I can do!) Is smooth the right word?

 

I've liked nearly all Merlot I've tried, which is why I specified that. When I was younger, I drank more white wine, but have switched mostly to red (because of health benefits) over the years. Still, I'd be interested in white wines as well.

 

I checked with dh who remembers these things better than I and he said an Australian merlot from Rosemont Estates is one that I've liked. I just want more choices to try.

Edited December 9, 2010 by Laurie4b

[bugs]

Gotta a Trader Joes by you? How about a 3 Buck Chuck?

[Imprimis]

If you're interested in whites, I recommend Cupcake pinot grigio and chardonnay (LOVE this!)

 

 

 

I really like the Cupcake pinot grigio, too! Lemon-y and yummy. I like it almost as much as my current favorite white, Santa Margherita pinot grigio, which is a few dollars more.

[redsquirrel]

Wine that I like that is less than 15$?

 

Whatever is in my glass. That is always my favorite. I have a rule that I never hate gift wine

[Laurie4b]

Gotta a Trader Joes by you? How about a 3 Buck Chuck?

 

Can't say as I've ever heard of a 3 Buck Chuck... :bigear: Can you tell me more?

 

I always take advantage of the little plastic cups of vino they offer, but haven't found anything I like particularly.

[Pretty in Pink]

I like Biltmore reisling, which is a white wine.

[justamouse]

favorite wines? The red ones and the white ones..and the pink ones are very pretty, too. :D

[Laurie in Life]

The wines from either Yellow Tail or Alice White (an Australian brand) are very good and are generally less than $10/bottle. I favor the reds from either of them, like their merlots or cabernet/savignon blends, but their whites have also been excellent choices as well, particularly the chardonnays.

[Mama Butterfly]

Oliver. I love their soft red. Although you would have to order it online if you live outside of Indiana as I don't think they distrubute it out of state. I know I can't get it here, so I have friends from IN. get me case loads when they go home for the holidays!:)

[Laurie in Life]

I really like the Cupcake pinot grigio, too! Lemon-y and yummy. I like it almost as much as my current favorite white, Santa Margherita pinot grigio, which is a few dollars more.

 

:iagree:Wanted to add another thumb's up for both of these as well.

[5wolfcubs]

Barefoot Merlot!

[3littlekeets]

For reds, I'm a Pinot Noir or Merlot drinker. I love Louis Jadot, Louis Latour, or La Crema Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir can be expensive for the "good stuff, but for around 15$, I find those very drinkable.

 

Merlot can also be pricey, but Ravenswood and Frontera are generally inexpensive and still very drinkable.

 

Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages or B. Noveau (spelling) are also lovely light reds.

 

I'm not a big white drinker, but when I do drink white, I like Frog's Leap Sauvingon Blanc just because it makes me happy :-), or Pinot Grigio (esp. Barefoot -- it is super cheap, too!).

[kitten18]

We like Edna Valley Pinot Noir, it is very smooth. I would call it a "light" red wine.

 

I also like Edna Valley Chardonnay. Many Chardonnay's are too dry for me but this one is a little bit oakey (obviously not a real word) and not too dry.

[Spy Car]

I don't like wine that kinda "bites". (Since I am not high enough class to know the correct nomenclature, that is the best I can do!) Is smooth the right word?

 

 

You don't like "tannic" wine. These tannins help big oaky wines like Cabernet Sauvignons bottle age nicely and add complexity at maturity. There is no fault in not liking them in a young wine.

 

You might enjoy trying a very young Beaujolais Nouveau from France. This is the season for this light bodied French wines.

 

"Two Buck Chuck" from Trader Joes is actually called "Charles Shaw." it could not be confused with a "great" wine, but for $2 it is a great value and not bad.

 

If you decant a wine you find a little "tannic" (astringent) and let it "breath" a while, you will find the wine "mellows" on its own with a little time. There are also several gizmos that you can pour wine through to "aerate" the wine which does make it "softer". This treatment might save some of the more "complex" wines for you.

 

Bill

[catalinakel]

Years ago I switched from Merlot to Gallo Family Vineyards Cabernet Savignon, and there is no going back for me. Yum. Does not bite. I buy the big bottle for less than 10 bucks and am a very happy daily glass happy camper. But I'm a California girl at heart.....

[StaceyinLA]

Georges DuBouef Nouveau Beaujolais. It is my fave red, and can be served slightly chilled. It usually runs right at ten per bottle.

 

I wouldn't discount without trying them, the Oak Leaf wines from Wal Mart. They are THREE dollars a bottle, but are all really good. I like the Pinot Grigio, but dd enjoys the reds (cab and merlot). I read about them in a cooking magazine - they were in the top ten under ten one month. Worth a try!

[KidsHappen]

Well, I particularly like Arbor Mist wines. They have many different types and flavors such as a Blackberry Merlot. They are a low alcohol content wine and are really more like a wine cooler but tasty and refreshing. Great for making sangria. I generally prefer rosatos and zinfandels though so if you are looking for a stronger taste they may not be for you.

[JenniferB]

Twisted Zin - about $10 for a 1.5L at Costco. Yum, yum.

[HLDoll]

I haven't seen it there recently, but I bought a few bottles of this at Costco last year and really enjoyed it. It's called just "Red" and it's a merlot blend. Very tasty! If I remember correctly, it was around $10 a bottle.

 

http://www.stfrancisred.com/index.php

[jazzyfizzle]

Well, I particularly like Arbor Mist wines. They have many different types and flavors such as a Blackberry Merlot. QUOTE]

 

Yes, I love this one, it is so inexpensive and my fav.

[Cindy in C-ville]

The wines from either Yellow Tail or Alice White (an Australian brand) are very good and are generally less than $10/bottle. I favor the reds from either of them, like their merlots or cabernet/savignon blends, but their whites have also been excellent choices as well, particularly the chardonnays.

 

Yellowtail - merlot, pinot noir, chardonnay, whatever - is our "go to."

[Mother Superior]

My favorite merlot is called Little Black Dress. It's very smooth and fairly complex for an inexpensive wine. I have had good success with wines from Meridian vineyards. Kendall Jackson merlot is also very nice.

 

HTH,

[BMW]

I like Robert Mondavi merlot... and Two Vines Merlot...

 

I really like cabernet sauvignon, BUT, I wake up middle of the night with a head ache when I drink it. NO, I don't drink a lot... we're talking 6-8 ounces and I will have a head ache.

 

I never get a head ache with merlot.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I'm particularly interested in Merlot, but would like to hear about any you particularly like. I'm looking for wine for drinking with dinner on a regular basis and am tired of trial and error.

 

I'd say that pretty much everything we drink falls into this category. Some brands to look for:

 

Concho y Toro (from Chile)

Santa Rita (also Chile)

Lindemans (Australia, though I tend to buy their whites, not red)

Black Swan (our go to brand for reds for dinner)

Chateau St. Michelle (Washington state, again, mostly for whites. This is sort of my hometown label and I've stuck with them for decades. If you like sweeter wines, their Riesling and Gewurtztraminer are very tasty.)

[InHisGrip]

The Concho y Toro is a very good value (pp suggested this, too) and Blackstone Merlot never disappoints.

[Rivka]

We rarely pay more than $10 a bottle for wine. Some wines we like:

 

Banrock Station (Australia)

Steeplejack (Australia)

Concha y Toro/Frontera (Chile)

Los Vascos (Chile)

Red Truck (California)

Vansha (South Africa)

Two Oceans (South Africa)

 

In general, South American red wines (Argentina, Chile) are very tasty and a great value.

[Brigitte]

Rex Goliath (probably spelled that wrong). $5.99 a bottle and satisfies even my wine snob parents.

[Lizzie in Ma]

Black Opal's Cabernet/Merlot is one of our all time favorites. :)

[hsbaby]

We like both Black Opal and Barefoot Merlots.

[HollyDay]

Smoking Loon Merlot

[eternalknot]

Gotta a Trader Joes by you? How about a 3 Buck Chuck?

 

:iagree: (except in most of California he's a bargain at $2 LOL)

[Shawneinfl]

Frontera Merlot (from Chile)

Woodbridge

Barefoot

[SailorMom]

I have some wonderful suggestions,,,, but I don't like Merlot - so here are some reds you may like...

 

Lucky Star Pinot Noir (to die for, especially for the price), Alamos Malbec, Red Bicyclette Pinot Noir, and sorta kinda maybe in a pinch - Fat B@st@rd Shiraz (sorry about the name.......) and Rex Goliath Shiraz.

 

I know a good friend of mine who drinks Merlot, and he swears that the best deal he has found has been Little Penguin - but I find them hit or miss. However, for $6.99, even a few misses are ok :)

[LauraGB]

Someone mentioned Beringer earlier in the thread. They make several versions of each kind of wine. The el-cheapo ones that I always have handy are the California Collection merlot and cabernet (Beringer has several different tiers; the California Collection is the least expensive, so check the bottle because the Private Reserve or Napa Valley, etc, are more expensive - but also really nice!). They sell around here for $5-$6 and are smooth and tasty.

 

Another inexpensive one that I like is the Menage A Trois California Red. It is a blend of zinfandel, merlot and cabernet and is a lovely mixture. I've never paid over $9 for that one.

 

Based on what you said you liked, I think you'd be happy with a blend of grapes, aka red table wine. Or a syrah (also called Shiraz) is fruity and smooth, but usually more expensive. Syrah is my favorite, followed a Pinot Noir, then a Zin, then the cab and merlot.

Edited December 10, 2010 by LauraGB

[bugs]

Can't say as I've ever heard of a 3 Buck Chuck... :bigear: Can you tell me more?

 

I always take advantage of the little plastic cups of vino they offer, but haven't found anything I like particularly.

 

3 buck (or 2 buck if you're lucky :tongue_smilie:) is the Charles Shaw label at TJ's. It's a crap shoot but normally okay. But then again my goal lately is to see how cheap I can go and still get a decent wine (taste buds are not refined - and I am keeping it that way).

[Nissi]

Dessert wine that we like is Duplin Winery's Scuppernong Blush and Magnolia. These are sweet and most people who don't like wines like this.

[LauraGB]

Also wanted to add that I've never had a lousy Cotes du Rhone (a French red). Usually it's kind of expensive, but you can find decent ones for around $12 if you look for them. Absolutely worth it.

[Brilliant]

3 buck (or 2 buck if you're lucky :tongue_smilie:) is the Charles Shaw label at TJ's. It's a crap shoot but normally okay. But then again my goal lately is to see how cheap I can go and still get a decent wine (taste buds are not refined - and I am keeping it that way).

 

They are $2 here. :001_smile:

 

I have found the Chardonnay and Shiraz to be quite drinkable. I like the Cabernet for cooking. And the Pinot Grigio for wine cooler mixing.

[Rivka]

Smoking Loon Merlot

 

How could I forget Smoking Loon? My favorite part is the writing on the cork: "Whooh whooh whooh COUGH whooh" :D

 

I've never had their merlot, but their viognier is one of my favorite whites.