I just turned 21 in June, and have only tried "The Little Penguin" and "Yellow Tail". I don't want to buy wine that's expensive, but are there any suggestions on good wine under $20 or so?
2006-08-22 03:40:23 · 17 answers · asked by karimoberry 3 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
You should check your area for local wineries. You can go and sample their wines for a small fee, sometimes free if you buy a bottle. Most small wineries I've been to will sell bottles for around $10.
2006-08-22 07:56:49 · answer #1 · answered by tie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are *lots* of good wines under $20/bottle! If you're in Oregon, I insist you check out the Depoe Bay/Nehalem Bay label. If you aren't, I think shipping would crank up the price above your threshhold. If you live near a Cost Plus or a World Market (I think the two are the same now), make the pilgrimage - their wine selection is global and reasonably priced. Experiment!
If you really need a specific recommendation: Beringer White Zinfandel is an *excellent* wine for cooking, and not bad for drinking, and it occasionally weighs in under $10/bottle if you find it on sale or at a warehouse market. My house uses it a lot when poaching chicken breasts or making wine sauces.
2006-08-22 04:22:58 · answer #2 · answered by Katie S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are tons of great wines available for under $20.
Some of my favorite inexpensive choices are:
Vouvray (try Chateau Moncontour if you can find it)
German Riesling (start with a Kabinett)
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (something from Marlborough like Goldwater, Kim Crawford or Nobilo)
Chianti Riserva (Querceto or Monsanto)
Pinot Noir (Edna Valley, Martin Ray, Cartlidge & Browne)
Find a decent wine shop in your town and talk to the staff. Tell them about the wines you've enjoyed and ask them to recommend similar things in your price range. They'll be happy to do it, I swear.
You can also read Wine Spectator, which reviews wines in every price range. Their daily picks list is a great place to start. You won't always agree with the reviewers, but that's ok.
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine_Picks_Category/0,3658,15,00.html
I also really enjoy the Wall Street Journal's wine column by Dorothy Gaiter & John Brecher. http://online.wsj.com/article/tastings.html
Whatever you do, know that where wine is concerned, there really are no rules but the ones you discover. There are red wines that go great with fish and white wines you can drink with steak. Let your own palate be your guide. If it tastes good to you, it is good, no matter what you pay by the bottle or what some critic writes. Enjoy!
2006-08-22 04:24:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a fellow college student I would recommend Riunite (RE-U-NE-TY) as a good cheap wine. It a red wine that is slightly carbonated and you can get a 750ml for $9. It may not be a "fine wine" but it tastes good and the price is right.
2006-08-22 03:58:04 · answer #4 · answered by snwbrder0721 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ecco Domani and Bella Sera are great brands for cheap Italian wines.
Avoid box wines like the plague! No one deserves that!
2006-08-22 07:55:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
most wine stores will have a section for wines under 10 or 15 dollars.... try to avoid the carlo rossi jugs but that's just my opinion
2006-08-22 07:46:56 · answer #6 · answered by Scarlet 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Under $20 is your budget?
We considered under $5 affordable when I was in college. Go with the Carlo Rossi jug. It will treat you right every time.
2006-08-22 05:20:33 · answer #7 · answered by obviously_you'renotagolfer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yellow Tail Merlot and other Austrailian Merlots are really the best for the price. Drink them at room temperature, of course.
2006-08-22 03:48:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most Pink Zinfandel wines are cheap and pretty good. They have a light, sweet, dry flavor.
2006-08-22 04:16:36 · answer #9 · answered by Double 709 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gnarlyhead zinfandel, 40 pound rooster, Allegro Muscato or cant go wrong with any Sangria
2006-08-22 06:23:43 · answer #10 · answered by MenaceD 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋