Luxe Picks – Best Value Wines Between $4 & $20

Photo: Veer

Choosing wine can be an overwhelming and intimidating endeavor, most certainly for a wine novice.  Even as someone who drinks a lot of wine, I find that walking into a wine shop, strolling the wine aisle at the supermarket or choosing a wine at a restaurant can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.

I love wine for many reasons, not least of all because it’s delicious.  I love the art and love that goes into producing wine, I love that wine is made with someone’s hands, I love wine snobs (they make me laugh), I love wine makers, I love vineyards.  My friend Kaitlin, who contributed to this post, and her husband had an event at the R.H. Philips winery last year.  R.H. Philips makes fabulous and affordable wines (you will see a few on this list) and they are located in Esparto, CA, which is northeast of Napa, nearer to Sacramento.  As evening set in, David and I sneaked away and walked through a small vineyard close to the tasting room.  Walking in a vineyard is an amazing thing, truly.  You can smell the earth, hear the leaves rustling and touch the grapes.  As I walked with outstreched hands, lightly brushing the bottoms of the heavy-hanging fruit, I became giddy with the thought that I might be someday drink the wine make from those very grapes.  Wine is magic.

While I did not grow up in a wine-making family (hell, my parents hardly drink), I was born and raised in Northern California and have known countless wine “people.”  I’ve even dated a few.  In fact, the only time I’ve ever asked someone out was after I tasted at the room he managed in Healdsburg.  Wine does crazy things to this girl.  For some time I’ve felt somewhat connected to the culture and the people, more with the “back end” of the business, however.  The farmers and producers.  Self-proclaimed wine “experts” bore me.  I respect those who recognize wine’s transient nature.  I’ve had opportunities to explore the bowels of the business, where the wine is made, and it’s fascinating stuff.  I’ve sat in the kitchens of tiny winemakers and tasted their wines from glass jars, I’ve picked grapes and tasted unfermented, sugary “unfinished” wines.

But, I really don’t know much about wine.  I just know what I like.  So, before reading through the following recommendations you should be aware of a few things:

• I hate sweet wines.
• I drink mostly white wines, which is why I have solicited the help of another wino, Kaitlin, who drinks a lot of reds.
• Kaitlin and I will use flowery, descriptive language to describe most of the wines; this isn’t meant to be snobby or off-putting, but will hopefully provide you with some kind of an idea of taste.
• We’re in Northern California, so I can’t guarantee whether some of the wines suggested will be available elsewhere.  Also, many states do not allow to wine shipments.

All of the wines suggested retail at under $20.  Granted, $20 is not “budget” wine, but our hope is to provide cheaper wines (beyond Charles Shaw) for everyday drinking and pricier wines that are a great value.

Please note that I have not provided vintages with the recommendations.

Whites

Panilonco Chardonnay/Viognier ($4)

The Chileans are enjoying a love-fest among winos at the moment, as they are the go-to country for a great, cheap white wine.  You can often find this wine at Trader Joe’s.

Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Blanco ($8)

I actually buy this at Trader Joe’s for 4 bucks, I am not certain why it’s priced so high online.  Very dry and fruity, this wine is great with spicy food and wonderfully crisp for the summer months.

Cristalino Brut Cava ($8)

This wine is a STEAL if you’re looking for a great sparkler.  You can buy it for $5 at Cost Plus.  It’s very dry.

Big House White ($10)

A great basic table wine started by Bonny Doon (they sold the label in 2006), one of my favorite wineries. There is a red version of this wine that’s also very good.  I highly recommend Bonny Doon for dessert wines, if that’s your thing.  They make a great Muscat and lovely ports.

Toasted Head Chardonnay ($14)

From the winemaker, “Toasted Head Chardonnay leads with fresh, ripe pear and tropical fruit aromas that carry hints of mango and vanilla. The round, smooth palate features succulent stone fruit and tropical fruit flavors complemented by toasty oak tones. Characteristically round, smoooth and luscious, it culminates in a lingering, toasty, vanilla finish.”

This is one of my favorite wines, I love the hits of oak.  You can find it on sale for $10.

Edna Valley Chardonnay ($15)

There’s a nice citrus element to this wine, with a slight oak (not nearly as oaky as the Toasted Head).  I buy it often on sale for $10.

Toad Hollow Amplexus Crémant Brut ($16)

Toad Hollow holds a special place in my heart, as I dated the tasting room manager and during that time I was able to meet a lot of fun wine folks.  I was often hooked up with this wine, which my friends loved me for, because it’s one of the best sparkling wines out there.  It’s nice and dry.

Trefethen Dry Riesling ($20)

I was THRILLED to find this wine at a shop when I was in NYC recently.  I totally geeked out and chatted with the shop owner about it, as it’s a favorite wine of mine and often hard to find.  A bright wine with a minerality that lingers throughout.  Great with light dishes such as chicken or pasta.  I agree with the winery, it’s a great wine for sipping while cooking.

La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($20)

This is my idea of a splurge for everyday wine, and it can also be found on sale for $10-$12.  Hints of apple, complex and not too dry.

Reds

Latcham Gold Rush Red Table Wine ($7)

Inexpensive and delicious, rich berries up front.  Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 27%, Petite Sirah 1%, Zinfandel 36%, Black Muscat 3%. Kaitlin recommends buying this at Costco.

Karly Zinfandel ($18)

Soft and full tasting comfort wine.  Often on sale at Cost Plus.  I know my friend Carly is also a big fan of this wine, Amador County is known for great reds.

Sobon Estates Old Vines Zinfandel ($14)

A bold and flavorful zin with a long finish, tastes expensive.

Zenato Valpolicella Ripassa ($16)

A dark, fruity, velvety wine from Italy.  Dry with a nice finish.

R.H. Philips Tempranillo EXP ($18)

Buy this wine when you crave the crispness of a white but are in the mood for red.  Light with peppery, licorice flavors.  Kaitlin likes to purchase this at the winery and sit outside in the sun to drink.  I can also say that I love this wine, I tried it for the first time years ago and I always seek it out when I am craving a red.

Castle Rock Pinot Noir ($12)

A great pinot for the price, this wine can sell for as little as $8.  It has a great flavor that sneaks in about halfway through, Kaitlin think it might be plum.

Marquis Phillips Shiraz ($15)

Make sure not to get the Shiraz-Cabernet!  An excellent Australian wine.

Menage a Trois Table Red ($10)

Tasty and inexpensive wine made from cabernet, zinfandel and merlot grapes.  Juicy jam-like fruit.

Cycles Gladiator Cabernet Sauvignon ($9)

A good value, deep enough flavor to stand up against steak or marinara sauce.

Cellar 8 Cabernet Sauvignon ($10)

Smooth, surprisingly good for the price.  Goes with everything for dinner.

Helpful Hints For Wine Newbies

• Speak up!  Don’t be afraid to ask a wine shop worker, waiter or sommelier questions.  Even if you don’t think you know what you’re talking about; if I don’t see anything I recognize on a wine list, I will normally ask for a good dry wine under a certain amount of money, like 30 bucks.  Don’t be intimidated by large wine lists or a list made up largely of expensive wines.
• Try new wines.  This is something I need to work on myself, as I tend to get stuck in an “I like it” rut.  But, you’ll never discover new wines if you don’t explore.  Trader Joe’s is a great place to experiment, as they have so many cheap wines.
• Forget Napa.  I feel bad saying this, but if you find yourself in Northern California and would like to go wine tasting, forgo Napa for Sonoma County, Navarro Valley, Russian River and Amador County.  You’ll find cheaper tasting rooms, less crowds, and less wine assholes.
• Forget the U.S.  The best wine values can be found from international producers from Europe, Australia, South America….even Africa.
• Glasses do matter.  Sorry, I know you may not want to hear this, but wine behaves differently in different glasses.  Your champagne will lose its fizzle pretty damn quickly if you dump it into a red wine glass with a huge bowl.
• Throw a blind wine tasting party.  This is something I have been meaning to do for years and will likely give it a go this year (and post about it, of course).  It’s a great reason to get drunk with friends and you’ll discover new wines.
• Forget the “rules.”  No, you don’t HAVE to shove your nose into a glass to inhale its aromas and smelling a cork will not necessarily tell you if the wine has turned.  You don’t have to drink a spicy zinfandel with your steak if you don’t want to.  Don’t make others make you feel bad about your wine choices.  After all, it’s just wine.
• That’s not to say that food and wine pairings are bogus.  Not in the least.  In general should pair a dry, crisp and fruity wine to eat with your uber-spicy Thai dish, but if you don’t want to, who cares?
• Read up.  I recommend an excellent and fun book called Red, White and Drunk All Over.  It’s approachable and fun, but you’ll learn something.  And it’s only 4 bucks at Amazon.
• Head over to Food + Wine or subscribe to the magazine.  They always feature amazing wine deals.

Now, I am off to drink a glass of wine! 

Many thanks to Kaitlin for the help on this post.

Tagged as: Recommendations, Wine