March 22Mar 22 I don't know how to update the top post, so I'll just update as we go. I'm cheap, and I've gotten some fine recommendations from surly. So why not. Here are the rules. Not putting a cap on the price of the wine but in reality, yeah, let's put a cap on it - say $25? But I'm really looking for the crazy bargains. You recommend a budget wine that just has really blown you away - specify whether you are comparing it to all wines or just a fantastic value that can be appreciated. If it gets another mention (not just an upvote but an actual mention, it will go on the list. If you have a bad experience, say so, and it comes off the list. The idea is to build a list of top 10 - five reds, three whites, two sparklings. I just want a cheat sheet when I go to specs.
March 22Mar 22 Pro tip #1 - Don’t limit yourself to Specs. Lots of good bargains out there at Total Wine, Costco and even Trader Joe’s, just to name the big box stores.
March 22Mar 22 Sam’s Member’s Mark - Chardonnay actually pretty good. Makes a good replacement for Chateau St Jean (not Michelle) which is defunct.
March 22Mar 22 Josh’s. Cab or Pinot are both pretty damn good for around $15. Also Juggernaut Pinot Noir at HEB is like $18 and slams.
March 22Mar 22 32 minutes ago, Newdoc said: Sam’s Member’s Mark - Chardonnay actually pretty good. I prefer Costco's Kirkland Chardonnay, $9 for 1.5L.
March 22Mar 22 Or go to wine is anything by Chateu Ste. Michelle. I don't think they have a bottle over $20, and most of them are under $15. We always have 4 or 5 on hand for everyday meals or just to drink.
March 22Mar 22 The Joel Gott Cabernet at $12.99 at HEB is a steal. Mumm Napa Rose at $18 at HEB is an easy choice if you want sparkling. Gruet sparkling at Specs is around $15 and isn’t bad.
March 23Mar 23 4 hours ago, Mo Horn said: Or go to wine is anything by Chateu Ste. Michelle. I don't think they have a bottle over $20, and most of them are under $15. We always have 4 or 5 on hand for everyday meals or just to drink. Just had that today at the airport and it was pretty good for the price.
March 23Mar 23 Randall's/Tom Thumb discount when you buy 6 bottles is pretty good. We focus on California red blends under $20. I'm not smart enough to know the difference -- but very drinkable.
March 23Mar 23 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a banger for $16. I’d probably have to go up to an Artemis Stag’s Leap before I found another wine I liked better. Yarden Red Wine is great for $12, and it’s kosher. My favorite under $10 is sold at Target. California Roots Red Blend. It’s tough to beat for $5. Edited March 23Mar 23 by billfromlaketravis
March 23Mar 23 Segura Vidas Sparkling Rose is another good one for $8. We tear those up in the pool every summer. Drinks better than a lot of sparkling roses in the $15-20 range. I find even expensive champagne somewhat bitter so no recs in that category.
March 25Mar 25 We drink a lot of Rhône blends in the $25 and under price range.St. Cosme Cote du Rhône - $18.99https://www.centralmarket.com/product/st-cosme-cote-du-rhone-750-ml/2813028Bonpas Ventoux Grande Réserve Des Challières - $18.95https://www.centralmarket.com/product/bonpas-ventoux-grande-reserve-des-challieres-750-ml/8504504Famille Perrin Nature (organic) - $12.99https://www.heb.com/product-detail/famille-perrin-nature-cotes-du-rhone/2664087We’re fond of Grenache and GSM blends, so that’s our go-to everyday wine. It helps when Central Market does their 20% off sale and we stock up.I also think the Orin Swift Locations wines are generally pretty good in that same price range, although their bottles annoy me because they don’t fit easily in our wine fridge.
March 25Mar 25 Also Juggernaut Pinot Noir at HEB is like $18 and slams. +1 on Juggernaut Pessimist is another great value
March 25Mar 25 The Château Ste Michelle Brut bubbly is my favorite for bottle number 2 or 3. (I enjoy an expensive bottle of champagne for the first bottle popped, but by the time everyone starts to get snockered they won’t know the difference. Like if you want your third Jack Daniels and Coke you’re gonna get Old Crow and coke at my party and like it. Because you really can’t tell when you dump Coke in it.) A good budget price Cab Sav or Merlot is the Freak Show offering.
March 25Mar 25 This has been enshittened a bit but Cameron Hughes Wines drink about double their cost IMO https://wineinsiders.com/pages/cameron-hughes-collection Wine Insiders bought them I guess, I have not ordered any in 2025 yet but they are almost always very very good for the price.
March 25Mar 25 Any of the Freakshow varietals are good and usually under $25. The Duckhorn whites are also in that range and my wife and her friends seem to like them.
March 25Mar 25 My favorite cab under/around $25 is Justin from Paso Robles, Central Coast: https://www.heb.com/product-detail/justin-cabernet-sauvignon-red-wine/506395
March 26Mar 26 So we generally have a house white & red that we keep on hand by the case (or 2) just as daily drinkers. Our white is thus: Dipinti Chardonnay - $15 a bottle. Red La Salare Montepulciano - $9 - great for the price. the red is about to be replaced only because 20+ cases later we need something new. The candidates that remain Cherchi Midi - $13 Notre Dame Des Pallieres Cotes du Rhone - $13 Very good wine doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You just need to drink a lot to find it.
March 26Mar 26 14 hours ago, MuellerHorn said: My favorite cab under/around $25 is Justin from Paso Robles, Central Coast: https://www.heb.com/product-detail/justin-cabernet-sauvignon-red-wine/506395 Justin is a great choice for those looking for a $20-$25 option
March 26Mar 26 6 hours ago, Captain Ron said: La Salare Montepulciano - $9 - great for the price. Any idea if that's available in the Austin area? I'm striking out on Total Wine, Spec's, Twin Liquors, grocery stores, etc.
March 26Mar 26 5 hours ago, jimmyjazz said: Any idea if that's available in the Austin area? I'm striking out on Total Wine, Spec's, Twin Liquors, grocery stores, etc. I wish I could tell you. One thing about my Boston selections - I have a lot of local importers. So that might not be. This is where I get them. La Salare - https://bermansfinewines.com/shop/product/le-salare-montepulciano-dabruzzo-collemorino/5b6306f98f58763a2f3cff01?option-id=e1624d8a5d564fb8b6bb04c0caba891a19c837f745e63eb4e02b645907ba5fd7 Dipinti - https://bermansfinewines.com/shop/product/dipinti-chardonnay-vigneti-delle-dolomiti/5858564d39e21c3fb6d12318?option-id=b13cc2a78f4cce9ccce8053ba2a58b192b7da3c2c06c0fa0ced1ded97eb61739 The other two are there too. Another one I love, is this one Chateau de Flaugergues. It’s very vintage specific, their 2012-2014 were amazing and paired with anything their 2015-2016 were meh. Since it’s rebounded, but not as good an my first vintages https://bermansfinewines.com/shop/product/chateau-de-flaugergues-cuvee-sommeliere/5bea3f1c20c8ba6106434621?option-id=87584b0ed87f2d00109c4d65e2cea0d4db791f2363d1778b36597a86074c3bc2
March 26Mar 26 La Crema has some good Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Costco / Kirkland wines are very good for their price point. K Vintners out of Washington for Syrah / Rhone varietals (he also does some Cab and Malbec stuff). Lingua Franca out of Oregon for Pinot Noir.
March 27Mar 27 We only buy Pinot and la crema, inscripcion, and macmurray are all under $25 and we love them.
March 27Mar 27 On 3/25/2025 at 10:22 PM, Captain Ron said: So we generally have a house white & red that we keep on hand by the case (or 2) just as daily drinkers. Our white is thus: Dipinti Chardonnay - $15 a bottle. Red La Salare Montepulciano - $9 - great for the price. the red is about to be replaced only because 20+ cases later we need something new. The candidates that remain Cherchi Midi - $13 Notre Dame Des Pallieres Cotes du Rhone - $13 Very good wine doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You just need to drink a lot to find it. Are any of these available to TW or Spec’s?
March 28Mar 28 Yeah, sorry to disappoint - it appears that most of these are not outside of Mass https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/le+solare+montepulciano+d+abruzz+italy/1/usa-tx-y
March 28Mar 28 On 3/23/2025 at 11:17 AM, billfromlaketravis said: Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a banger for $16. My favorite under $20. A few others l like: (Cabs) Decoy Liberty School Rodney Strong Lodi Estates
March 28Mar 28 Some of my favorite labels at TJs... most of these are simple, everyday table wines. Nothing fancy. Nothing complex. Just food friendly or hot weather friendly wines. Any of the Prosecco by this winery is excellent Lastly, this is a great stand-in for Prosecco in a spritz...
March 28Mar 28 14 hours ago, Captain Ron said: Yeah, sorry to disappoint - it appears that most of these are not outside of Mass https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/le+solare+montepulciano+d+abruzz+italy/1/usa-tx-y No problem. I did throughly confuse the Spec’s wine guy. Trust me, he had it coming.
April 18Apr 18 We need to talk more about cheap wine. Boxed wines anyone? By the way, this stuff is really good...
April 18Apr 18 I drink the Trader Joe's boxed reds from time to time. They seem fine to me, nothing spectacular but I am not enough of a vinophile to give a damn.
April 22Apr 22 Cannot believe Bonanza hasn’t been mentioned yet. By far the best bang for your buck Cabernet Sauvignon…the owner comes from Caymus vineyards.
April 23Apr 23 I'll second the La Crema pinot's...but we also love AtoZ Pino Noir. Trader Joe's has a $7 Chianti that's the tits and the wife and I will stock up whenever we go.
May 3May 3 Over the years, I've found that Bogle reds are typically a good value. Their '21 Essential Red made Wine Enthusiast's list of top-rated wines under $20 last year.
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