This year, I’m happy to report, it’s easier than ever to buy great wines without spending a fortune. From my tastings, I’ve chosen 50 wines that cost under $50 a bottle—and deliver both value and sheer deliciousness for the price.
I could have picked many, many more.
For example, while Oregon is known for pinot noir, I found stellar bargains among its chardonnays and rieslings. Besides superb sauvignon blancs, New Zealand excels at other whites and reds at good prices. Rieslings from everywhere continue to remain undervalued for quality, as are less-known varieties such as Carignane that are making a comeback. Entry level and second wines from the best estates almost always offer top value, especially among the Bordeaux from the 2015 vintage now arriving on retail shelves.
As always, shop around to save. This is the season, above all, for the lowest prices on sparkling wine and Champagne.
Fun Fizz
For top inexpensive sparkling wine, look outside Champagne. There are more delicious cuvées from around the world than ever.
NV Ninth Island Cuvee ($22) Cool Tasmania has become a source of excellent bubbles. This chardonnay-heavy blend is lemony and refreshing.
NV Francois Pinon Petillant Naturel Rosé ($23)
Pét-nats are no longer geek wines. This fresh, pretty, creamy example from the Loire Valley has tart fruit flavors, with a mineral kick.
2012 Barone Pizzini Franciacorta Rose Brut ($30) Made with certified organic grapes, this bright salmon-colored bubbly from Italy is juicy and berry-tinged, with bright complexity.
2015 Raventos i Blanc Conca del Riu Anoia de la Finca Brut ($32)This chalky, lively, edgy fizz from one of Spain’s best sparkling-wine producers is from Raventos i Blanc’s oldest vines. A step up from its delicious (and cheaper) blanc de blancs.