There are a few cheap fine wines I like to enjoy with friends during the winter, but I am by no means an expert! So in addition to my own preferences, I also paid September Wines a visit, and interviewed their two top wine connoisseurs, Misaki and Laura. Here's the list we came up with!
Average Bottle Price: $15-$25
Return of the mack! Beaujolais Nouveau makes its yearly return to wine store shelves on the third Thursday of November. Unlike other Beaujolais wines, Beaujolais Nouveau is not aged as it is produced within weeks in celebration of the fall harvest. This means it's meant for immediate drinking...so no need to air! Stores typically only buy one shipment, so it's the perfect wine to spice up any occassion this holiday season!
Average Bottle Price: $10-15
A girls night must-have! This red wine blend is a great choice for pleasing all palates! If you're not super in to wine, nor have the desire to be, I'd bring this one over or have on hand for guests.
Average Bottle Price: $10-20
This Spanish sparkling wine is a little-known budgeted version of champagne! In the wine world, Prosecco is made by the "cheap" method when compared to the way Champagne is made! Cava wine follows a different method of making it's bubbles, and is a great rival to champagne without the heavy price tag!
Average Bottle Price: $15-$30
You'll definitely impress some wine snobs with this one! Seen as the best of the Beaujolais Crus, this variety has a fruity yet full flavor without being too over-bodied.
Average Bottle Price: $20-$30
A big, juicy red wine perfect for a cold night! Cinsault wines are made at a high elevation, so they have a similar taste to Pinot Noir wines!
Average Bottle Price: $15-$20
A French wine available in all types! Most similar to Beaujolais! Give this one a grab if you want to try something different and use as comparison grounds in start of your own wine snobbery!
Average Bottle Price: $15-$25
My dad found this wine - I'm not exactly sure how he found it, but he liked it enough to buy an entire rack of it! It's not as available in stores, so online purchases are a safe bet for storing this wine staple in your home!
Photo Courtesy of Kim Crawford
Average Bottle Price: $15-$25
The white wine girls night must-have! I prefer Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc - it has all the fruit without any of the tang!
Average Bottle Price: $15-$20
This is a great alternative to Pinot Noir so grab it if you're sick of buying the Noir for the name, without really enjoying it!
