From white to red, and sweet to dry, I’ve found some of my favorite wines to be cheap and accessible. I used to hate red wine and would only drink white, but I’ve ventured into the dark side and I refuse to look back. (These prices are only estimated based on my local retailers.)
1. Chateau Ste. Michelle — Columbia Valley Riesling, $8
Local and sweet! What more could you ask for in a Riesling?
2. Fisheye — Chardonnay, $5
The first Chardonnay I ever tried was Fisheye, and I was sold. This is a nice option if you’re strapped for cash but still like to enjoy a nice glass of wine while baking cookies or meal prepping for the week.
3. Yellow Tail — Chardonnay, $5
If you’re looking for a tasty, low-price chardonnay, this is my go-to! It has a better taste than the Fisheye, though Fisheye is occasionally cheaper by about $1.
4. Belle Ambiance — Chardonnay, $10
If you’re looking for a fancier Chardonnay, this is the choice. Still just $10, Belle Ambiences’ label exudes glamour and can make you feel like you’re drinking from a $30 bottle without breaking the bank.
5. Barefoot — Pink Moscato, $5
Here it is, folks, my favorite Moscato! Barefoot Pink Moscato is what I celebrated my 21st birthday with, and my best friend swears by it.
6. Barefoot — Sweet Red Blend, $5
Hands. Down. The. Best. This is my favorite red blend I have tried, and the price tag is the ultimate plus: $5 for a tasty, sweet wine to accompany my pasta nights? Yes please!
7. California Roots — Red Blend, $5
Target recently launched the wine brand California Roots; all bottles are $5 before tax, and this red blend is to die for. I swear by sweet wines, but this red blend is the perfect mix of sweet and bitter. Definitely a wine that gets you in the mood to make your own pasta noodles or pizza from scratch.
8. Ménage à Trois — California Red Wine, $10
Ménage à Trois has such a bold flavor, it’s to die for. Maybe you’re not ready to give a threesome a shot, that doesn’t mean you can’t give this trio of zinfandel, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon a shot, it’s better than sex.
9. Yellow Tail — Big Bold Red, $5
If you’re looking for a bold red blend but don’t have the $10, give this a shot. It may not be a Ménage à Trois, but my roommate still swears by it.
10. 19 Crimes — 2016 Red Wine, $9
I’ll be honest, I finally grabbed this bottle because I kept being attracted to the physical bottle with no idea how it would actually taste. It’s not my favorite, but that’s because I have a huge sweet tooth — of all the bold blends with a bitter twist, this is my favorite.
(This article is not sponsored by Barefoot, but I wouldn't mind if they wanted to send me some free wine.)
