Best of
Real bottles, real prices, honest picks. By store, by budget, and for when you’re just getting started.
- Cheap wine
What's the best cheap wine?
Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel is the best cheap red at about $12 and Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling is the best cheap white at about $10, and both taste like they cost twice as much.
- Costco
What's the best wine at Costco?
Kirkland Signature Brut Champagne is the best wine at Costco (real Champagne for about $22), and the Kirkland Signature Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is the best everyday white for under $10.
- Aldi
What's the best wine at Aldi?
Winking Owl is Aldi's famous house wine and fine for the money at around $4, but the better buys are a step up, like Aldi's Belletti Prosecco and its Exquisite Collection Malbec.
- Trader Joe's
What's the best wine at Trader Joe's?
Espiral Vinho Verde is the best wine at Trader Joe's for the money (light, crisp and a little spritzy for around $5), while Charles Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon is the famously cheap red that's fine for parties.
- Under $20
What's the best wine under $20?
Catena Malbec is the best red under $20 at about $18, and Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc is the best white at about $16.
- Under $15
What's the best wine under $15?
Bogle Petite Sirah is the best red under $15 at about $12, and Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc is the best white for about the same price.
- For beginners
What wine should a beginner try?
Most beginners should start with something fruity and easy like Meiomi Pinot Noir for a red, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc for a white, or Stella Rosa Moscato if you like it sweet.
- Wine gifts
What is a good bottle of wine to give as a gift?
A good wine gift is a bottle that looks a little special but is easy to find: Catena Malbec at about $18, Meiomi Pinot Noir at about $22, or Veuve Clicquot at about $60 when you want to go big.
- Christmas
What is the best wine for Christmas dinner?
The best Christmas wine is a soft, fruity red like La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (about $25) for ham or turkey, or Louis M. Martini Cabernet (about $20) for prime rib, plus one bottle of bubbly to start.
- New Year's
What is the best champagne for New Year's Eve?
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label (about $60) is the best Champagne for a New Year's toast, Kirkland Signature Brut Champagne (about $22) is the best value if you have Costco, and Freixenet Cordon Negro (about $11) is the best pick for a big party.
- Cheap champagne
What's the best cheap champagne?
The best cheap real Champagne is Kirkland Signature Brut Champagne at about $22 (Costco only), then Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive at about $38; under $20 you're buying Champagne-style alternatives, and Freixenet cava and Mionetto Prosecco are the best of those.
- Boxed wine
What is the best boxed wine?
Black Box is the best boxed wine overall (about $22 for a 3-liter box), and Bota Box is the best value (about $20); a 3-liter box holds four bottles, so both work out to about $5 a bottle.
- Sweet wine
What is the best sweet wine?
The best sweet wine for most people is Stella Rosa Moscato (about $13) for a white, Stella Rosa Black (about $13) for a red, and Riunite Lambrusco (about $7) if you want something fizzy and cheap.
- Rosé
What is the best rosé wine?
La Vieille Ferme Rosé is the best rosé for the money at about $9, Whispering Angel is the best splurge at about $23, and Sutter Home White Zinfandel is the pick if you like your pink sweet.
- Sangria
What is the best wine for sangria?
The best wine for sangria is a cheap, fruity, low-tannin Spanish red like Borsao Garnacha (about $9) or Campo Viejo Tempranillo (about $11); for white sangria use a crisp Pinot Grigio like Ecco Domani (about $10).
- Mimosas
What is the best champagne for mimosas?
The best bubbly for mimosas is a dry Spanish cava like Freixenet Cordon Negro (about $11) or Segura Viudas Brut Reserva (about $10); skip real Champagne, because orange juice covers the flavor you'd be paying for.
- Moscato
What is the best Moscato wine?
Stella Rosa Moscato (about $13) is the best Moscato for most people, Bartenura Moscato (about $13) is a close second, and Barefoot Moscato (about $7) is the best cheap one.