Red wine can sometimes come across as intimidating, especially when compared to the easygoing nature of a crisp sauvignon blanc. Exploring different red wine varietals can also be financially taxing if you're unsure about what to look for.
While budget-friendly mass-produced wines may catch your eye due to their affordability, that low price often comes at a hidden cost. According to Bertil Jean-Chronberg, an esteemed sommelier at Bonde Fine Wine Shop in Cambridge, Mass., "The more industrial the grape cultivation (involving chemical inputs, treatments, and mechanical harvesting) and winemaking process (involving handling and chemical inputs), the lower the product's price." Unfortunately, wines in this ultra-affordable category tend to lose the genuine essence of the grape they originate from. Jean-Chronberg suggests a different approach: seek out independent and smaller wine producers who provide better value for your money.
With this perspective in mind, we engaged sommeliers across the United States to uncover their recommendations for red wines that offer genuine value and taste as though you've splurged much more. Importantly, none of their selections exceed the $25 price point, with some priced as low as $15—an astonishing bargain for a red wine.
Ultimately, the key isn't to aim for the lowest possible price, but rather to find the right price for a quality wine. As Jean-Chronberg reminds us, "We must never forget that drinking wine is not a necessity but a moment of pleasure, and that it is not better to drink less, but to drink better."
1) Joel Gott 815 California Cabernet Sauvignon
California's cabernet sauvignon is renowned for its robust character, making it an ideal companion for hearty dishes like steak or lamb. While this popular red varietal often comes with a hefty price tag, there are exceptional blends available at more accessible prices, such as the one crafted by Joel Gott Wines. Melissa L. Smith, the founder of Enotrias Elite Sommelier Services, praises it, noting, "This wine, a blend of grapes sourced from various Californian regions and aged in oak for only 30%, offers a much more approachable cabernet experience, delivering unmatched quality for its price point." You can easily find this gem online for just $16.99.
2) Daou Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
Smith also celebrates the virtues of this Paso Robles cabernet, which offers remarkable value for a wine hailing from this region. She explains, "This classic California Cabernet from Paso Robles exudes opulence but can be enjoyed at a relatively young age, provided you decant it to unlock its Mediterranean undertones of olive, fig, fennel, pomegranate, and thyme." This delightful bottle is available at a reasonable $24.99.
3) Miguel Torres Las Mulas Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2021
While California is celebrated for producing outstanding cabs, you can discover equally delightful options at budget-friendly prices by venturing beyond its borders. Gabriel Corbett, sommelier at the prestigious two Michelin-starred Jônt in Washington, D.C., expresses his admiration for cabernet sauvignon wines from Chile, particularly those from Miguel Torres. For just $15.99, you can savor a bottle of this Chilean gem.
4) Bedell Cellars Merlot
Merlot, known for its versatility, pairs beautifully with beef, complements the richness of blue cheese, and even stands its ground alongside chicken dishes. You needn't deplete your savings for a fine bottle, as Scott Carney, dean of wine studies at the Institute of Culinary Education, suggests. He recommends exploring Bedell Cellars on Long Island's East End, a benchmark producer renowned for quality merlot. Carney describes their 2020 offering as "merlot in the flesh—blackberry with a subtle hint of spice. The wine doesn't clamor for attention; it speaks softly to those who are willing to listen." You can enjoy Bedell Cellars merlot for approximately $19.
5) Oyster River Winegrowers, American Red Merlot 2022
Another exceptional option, this time from a small producer based in Maine, comes highly recommended by the award-winning sommelier Jean-Chronberg. Describing this cold-climate merlot, Jean-Chronberg notes, "It boasts aromas of plum, tomatoes, and tobacco, with light tannins, a slender body, and low alcohol content, resulting in a bright, fresh, and easily approachable wine. Its versatility will rekindle your appreciation for merlot from the days before 'Sideways'." You can acquire this gem directly from the producer for a mere $22.
6) Decoy Merlot
If you're currently craving a velvety, full-bodied merlot, consider setting your sights on this reasonably priced Sonoma gem, according to Smith. She elaborates, "Hailing from the esteemed Duckhorn winemakers, Decoy is a quintessential merlot crafted from grapes sourced from both the North Coast and Central Coast regions. It matures in 40% new French oak barrels, resulting in a wine brimming with flavors of lush blackberry, black currant, black cherry, and subtle baking spices, all with gentle tannins." You can acquire this bottle for a mere $22.99.
7) Gaspard Pinot Noir
Recommended by Dylan Melvin, sommelier and beverage director at Foxtrot Market in Chicago, this bottle hails from the house label of a renowned French wine importer. Melvin enthuses, "Gaspard is a house label from Jenny & Francois, one of the finest importers of French natural wines. Crafted in the Loire Valley with 60-year-old vines cultivated sustainably, these wines ferment with native yeast, feature minimal sulfur, and undergo only light filtration. This wine is an absolute steal." This medium-bodied delight is available for approximately $19.
8) Presqu'ile Winery Pinot Noir
Pinot noir flourishes when nurtured in the right soil, with Oregon being a well-known hub for this grape. However, for an excellent bottle at an attractive price, Carney suggests looking beyond the usual suspects. "Indeed, Oregon is renowned, but Santa Barbara County's cool, coastal climate has also embraced Pinot Noir," he reveals. "The 2021 Presqu'ile Pinot is an invitation of red fruits and floral notes, a tempting cherry vanilla blend that's irresistible at just $26." You can find this wine priced under $25.
9) Erath Pinot Noir
Remarkable values can also be discovered in Oregon, as Corbett attests. He recommends Erath Winery, a longstanding vineyard that has been cultivating grapes in the Dundee Hills since 1969. Corbett shares, "While there are many exceptional producers crafting delicious pinot noir, I have a particular fondness for the traditionalists like Erath." The winery offers a range of price points, but you can enjoy their medium-bodied Pinot for $18.99.
10) Peter Lehmann Portrait Shiraz
Syrah, known as shiraz in Australia, has become a prominent grape variety that thrives across the globe. In Australia, the Barossa Valley in southern Australia stands out as a notable wine-producing region. According to Corbett, Peter Lehmann Vineyards in the Barossa Valley offers a diverse selection of wines at various price points. He suggests, "For bold and robust expressions, explore the Barossa Valley, such as Peter Lehmann, which promises a thoroughly enjoyable drinking experience." This wine is available for around $20.