25 Cheap Wine Brands and Bottles—That Actually Taste Good
What makes a good, cheap wine? Delicious taste and affordability, obviously. “Anything that over delivers on flavor for the price,” says Sarah Tracey, Sommelier at The Lush Life, a wine expert who knows a thing or two about the good stuff.
“In the wine world, price doesn’t always indicate quality; there are some really awful $12 bottles and some very delicious $12 bottles. If I sip something cheap and it surprises me with how tasty it is—to me, that’s good cheap wine.” Tracey knows that situation and expectation are everything—and that’s what makes a good, cheap wine taste better than expensive wine at times. “Wine always tastes better when you’re having a great experience—whether that’s in a gorgeous vineyard or, at home on the sofa with someone you love! I’ve had some cheap wines out of a Solo cup that have tasted better than expensive wines I've sipped from the finest crystal, just because of the company I was with.”
So what should one look for when it comes to cheap wine brands? “Rather than looking at specific wine brands or grape varieties, I look at wine regions," says Tracey. "I think of wine like real estate: a wine from a famous region will usually cost more than wine from an up-and-coming region (just like a home in a highly coveted zip code will cost more than its equivalent in an emerging neighborhood.“
As for one of her favorite regions for budget-friendly bottles, that would be Chile. "A Chilean Cabernet will go for a fraction of what a Napa Cab costs (and, over 80 percent of Chilean wine exports are certified sustainable, so, double-win!).”
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Related: 37 Best Rosé Wines
Cheap Wine Brands: Best White Wine
Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling 2020, $14.99 at Vivino
Don’t sleep on Riesling. While some may be saccharine-sweet, this one by Chateau Ste. Michelle (the oldest winery in Washington state and the first official wine sponsor of Live Nation) is dry and has a nice crisp acidity, with notes of lemon and apple—and it’s won top points from the top wine rankings. Pair it with seafood or a crisp salad, and sip away—all for an inexpensive price. Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling 2020, $14.99 at Vivino
Dark Horse Pinot Grigio 2021, $6.99 at Total Wine
This delicious pinot grigio has notes of green apple, white peach and citrus and has bright acidity, meaning it drinks easily and is super refreshing—perfect for hot summer days or just when you want a crisp, refreshing white wine. Dark Horse Pinot Grigio 2021, $6.99 at Total Wine
19 Crimes Martha’s Chard 2020, $12.00 at Total Wine
Marked as one of the top 100 best wines of 2022 released by Wine Enthusiast, this chardonnay by Martha Stewart and 19 Crimes features bright, citrus notes with an oaky finish true to the character of California Chardonnay. The acidity balances out the notes and gives it a refreshing finish. 19 Crimes Martha’s Chard 2020, $11.49 at Total Wine
Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc 2022, $11.99 on Wine.com
Made with organically grown grapes, this Sauvignon Blanc from Bonterra features notes of kiwi, citrus, grapefruit and lime with a nice tart finish. Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc 2022, $14 on Wine.com
Oyster Bay Pinot Gris 2022, $15.99 on Wine.com
With notes of pear and apple, this Pinot Gris has a medium body and light and dry finish—pair it with seafood or your favorite cheeses. Oyster Bay Pinot Gris, $15.99 on Wine.com
Tangent Pinot Gris 2021, $14.99 on Wine.com
This Central Coast Pinot Gris isn’t the usual Pinot Gris—its fruit is deeply concentrated, giving you notes of pineapple, grapefruit, peaches and tangerine with a nice, creamy mouthfeel. Tangent Pinot Gris 2021, $17 on Wine.com
Bread & Butter Chardonnay 2021, $13.99 at Total Wine
This super drinkable Chardonnay has creamy notes of vanilla bean, almond and a touch of tropical fruit. It features a smooth, long finish, which is great to pair with pretty much any food item, from cheese to meats and everything in between. Bread & Butter Chardonnay 2021, $13.99 at Total Wine
Cheap Wine Brands: Best Red Wine
Campo Viejo Garnacha 2020, $11.99 on Wine.com
This Spanish wine, made in Spain in the (largely) red-wine-making region of Rioja, is, in a word, delightful. With top marks, this wine has lots of fruit notes—strawberry, raspberry, cherry and blackberry—along with some spice and a fresh finish. Campo Viejo Garnacha 2020, $11.99 on Wine.com
The Pinot Project Pinot Noir, $15 on Wine.com
You can’t go wrong with a bottle of Pinot Noir from The Pinot Project. (I mean, they’re basing their entire name on the fact—that’s a good sign.) With notes of black cherry and spice, it’s a straightforward, sippable (and delicious) wine. The Pinot Project Pinot Noir, $15 on Wine.com
Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, $17.99 on Wine.com
This is the varietal (aka Cabernet Sauvignon) that started it all for Josh Cellars Winery, and it’s still round and juicy with notes of blackberry and vanilla. Excellent for wine-ing down the night or pairing with a good dinner. Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, $17.99 on Wine.com
Apothic Red Blend, $10.99 on Wine.com
Apothic is a California winery known for its blends, and in particular, its red blends. This red blend features Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah grapes for a bold wine with notes of berry and vanilla. Apothic Red Blend, $10.99 on Wine.com
La Vieille Ferme Rouge 2020, $9.99 on Wine.com
You can’t go wrong with this red blend from Rhone that consistently gets top rankings and is well-balanced with soft tannins. La Vieille Ferme Rouge 2020, $9.99 on Wine.com
Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages 2021, $13.99 on Wine.com
This Beaujolais is exactly what you want in one—with notes of red berries and a crisp, juicy taste. It’s an easy-to-drink, light finish red. Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages 2021, $13.99 on Wine.com
Santa Julia Organic Malbec 2022, $10.99 on Wine.com
One of Tracey’s personal favorites, this Malbec from Argentina has a nice balance of good acidity and notes of red fruit, including blackberries and currants. Santa Julia Organic Malbec 2022, $10.99 on Wine.com
Veramonte Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, $10.99 on Wine.com
Another one of Tracey’s favorites, this Chilean red is an awesome value with aromas of ripe black fruit and vanilla with a hint of spice and a long velvety finish. Veramonte Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, $10.99 on Wine.com
Best Cheap Rosé Brands
The Pale, $18.99 on Wine.com
Created by the same creator (Sacha Lichine), of rosé brand Whispering Angel, The Pale is a young and fresh rosé wine made with grapes from Provence, France, with a dry and refreshing finish, including notes of peach and pink grapefruit. (If you haven’t tried it yet, you need to.) The Pale, $18.99 on Wine.com
Summer Water, $19.99 on Drizly.com
Rosé all day? You can with the delightful, easy-to-sip Summer Water. The rosé features grapes from the Central Coast in California and has notes of melon, rose and citrus that finish bright and lively on the tongue. (PS: It’s delish.) Summer Water, $19.99 on Drizly.com
Yes Way Rosé 2020, $16 on Wine.com
Dry and refreshing, this rosé is a classic Provence-style rosé made with grenache grapes, featuring notes of stone fruit, strawberry and citrus. Essentially, it’s an essential rosé. Yes Way Rosé 2020, $16 on Wine.com
Meiomi Rosé 2021, $18.99 on Wine.com
This wine has notes of strawberry, cherry and some nice tropical notes to round it out. It has a nice minerality that’s ideal for a rosé you’ll want to pair with just about anything. Meiomi Rosé 2021, $18.99 on Wine.com
Studio by Miraval Rosé 2021, $18.99 on Wine.com
This rosé features notes of grapefruit and white flowers, along with other notes of citrus. It’s ideal for summer sipping (or any season, really). Studio by Miraval Rosé 2021, $18.99 on Wine.com
Wolffer Finca Wolffer Rose 2021, $16.99 on Wine.com
This Wolffer bottling is lively and bright, with notes of pear and baked apples—it’s amazingly versatile and will pair with just about anything. Wolffer Finca Wolffer Rose 2021, $16.99 on Wine.com
Best Cheap Bubbly Wine Brands
Mionetto Prosecco, $14.99 on Wine.com
This prosecco from Italy is the favorite of many—and it’s easy to understand why. With a well-balanced acidity and notes of apple and honey, this easy-to-drink bubbly is a go-to for mimosas and bellinis, or just on its own. Mionetto Prosecco, $14.99 on Wine.com
Freixenet Cordon Negro Cava Brut, $13.99 on Wine.com
This cava is fresh and fruity, with notes of apple, pear, citrus and a bit of ginger. Freixenet is best known for its "black bottle bubbly" Cordon Negro, and is a family-owned company in Spain. Basically, you can’t go wrong with this cava. Freixenet Cordon Negro Cava Brut, $13.99 on Wine.com
Martini & Rossi Asti, $13 at Total Wine
This bubbly is made from the grapes of the Asti hills, in the Piedmont region of Italy, and features ripe peach and floral notes and is a bit sweet, but not in a syrupy way—plus, the lower alcohol content (7.5% ABV) compared to most bubbly makes it a perfect brunch or mimosa bar addition. Martini & Rossi Asti, $13 at Total Wine
La Marca Prosecco, $20 on Wine.com
La Marca Prosecco has a refreshing minerality and acidity, making it ideal for pairing with a number of foods, including cheese, pasta and dessert. It has notes of green apple, peach and lemon, and has a pale golden color. La Marca Prosecco, $20 on Wine.com
