More answers to your ‘Wines for $10 and Under’ Requests…

In recent weeks, I have had many requests for this ever so-popular growing category…
Wines for $10 and Under.
Here’s a great example of a question that was received from a Mr. Scrooge McDuck (not kidding!) in a recent blog:
“I am a cheap son of a gun. What is your vote for the best bottle of Red under $10 bucks to be found in the Twin Cities.
I like bold reds but occasionally indulge in a pinot or other wines that don’t necessarily smack ya on the forehead.”
Here you have it, and some of my favorite most recent finds…
MAN Wine Cabernet from South Africa – on the shelf for $7.99
I’m becoming more and more a bigger fan of this wine. Because of its South African roots, it gives you that nice little gamey spice without turning too ‘horsey’ (meaning too animal-y). Its Cabernet fruit is ripe, yet soft and pretty well structured for its pricepoint. Here’s a Cabernet, Mr McDuck, that won’t smack ya on the forehead! A Good Find.
CANALETTO Pinot Noir, Montepulciano and Pinot Grigio from Italy (Same winery, three separate finds!) – On the shelf for $9.99
I love these three little Italian babies, they are some of the best Italians that I’ve had in this pricepoint. Their Pinot Grigio has been put in blind taste tests up against Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio (a wine that I would never reccommend for the $) and has blown it out of the water! In addition, the Pinot Noir is just such a nice, ripe, yet soft and subtle styled Pinot. Rich with dirt and easy enough to drink.
And, the Montepulciano- one of my favorites from their portfolio. Spicy, lush, and mouth filling! This Montepulciano is from Abruzzo, so we’re talking Montepulciano as the grape this time, not the region in Tuscany.
And last…my heartthrob winery in this pricepoint ~ Banrock Station from Australia!
They make a selection of organic wines: Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot, and Chardonnay. They can be found on the shelf for no more than $7.99 and they are fabulous! The winery is a huge partner with its surroundings giving a chunk of their profits back to the wetlands of Australia. Super cool!
I have shown the Cabernet in classes and folks end up guessing $20-$30 for this little gem. The reds are full and quite complex for its dollar and the Chardonnay- lite, crisp and delicious. It does not have the heaviness that many Chards from this pricepoint have. I love it and it’s always on tap at my house! Besides finding it in bottle, the wines can also be found in box (they produce in both) – a 3L box that holds 4 bottles and can slip easily onto the bottom shelf of your fridge. In my opinion, the best damn box wine on the planet!
So there you have it! For all the Scrooge McDuck’s of the world and for the rest of us…why pay more? There are so many to check out in this price range. These are just a few, but don’t forget to head to the South American sections the next time your shopping for vino, those are also some great places to find some killer $10 and unders!
Happy Hunting!