I was recently invited to participate in a group bid for a major wine auction. The condition: each person had to be willing to spend $200 per bottle. My response: “I’m out.” It makes me mad that Screaming Eagle Winery decided to slap a ridiculous price tag on their Cabernet (I see 2021 bottles on sale for $2300) because it just makes wine seem out-of-reach out-of-touch, like it’s for rich people people. Drives me nuts when I see finance bros in restaurants waving around their Platinum Amex cards and ordering “baller” wines that they’re probably not even appreciating.

Who needs that shit? Not me! And not you.

The top-selling wines in the U.S. today cost – ready for it? – less than $10 a bottle, and sometimes under $5 a bottle. We’re talking “Two Buck Chuck,” Barefoot, Yellow Tail, and those bottom-shelf jug wines. For people who like those wines, they’re a great deal.

But if you’re reading this, you like to take things up a notch, or two — or three. The point is: there are SO MANY great wines out there for under $20, under $40 and under $50. Personally, I generally don’t like to pay more than $40/$45 a bottle, because I just think the quality isn’t leveling up as much as the price is.

Have I made exceptions? Oh yeah …. I got the last bottle of Ramilo Rosé of Ramisco last summer, while at the winery in Portugal and I dropped 100 euros on it! I know – crazy. But it was unusual, there was only barrel made and to me, it was worth it. I shared it with a bunch of wine nerd friends and we all savored every sip!

And while up in northern Michigan a few summers ago, we visited Mari Vineyards and after tasting their Ultimate Thule red – a Nebbiolo – a dropped $80 on it. I opened it at a dinner party I had this past December and everyone was positively gobsmacked by the depth, the complexity, the pure delicious of it.

But those instances are rare. I’m here to share some really great wines that are affordalicious!

$25 and Under

Wines of Substance – I bet you’ve seen these bottles with their distinctive labels that evoke the Periodic Table of Elements. They were familiar to me, but I’d never tasted – until I met winemaker Brennon Leighton here in Chicago in late May. Washington wines almost always over-deliver on quality for the price and these are no exception. From the Rosé of Pinot Noir to the Cabernet Sauvignon, every single wine impressed. And Brennan just doesn’t mess with great fruit. “I want to give entry-level wine drinkers a great experience,” he said. And the price: under $20 a bottle, retail. Shut up!

Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Sauvignon Blanc Rodney Strong is a Sonoma legend and the wines keep getting better and more interesting! The 2024 SB is a total delight for $25 (or less, depending on the store). As we all seem to turn toward more white wines, this is an awesome choice. It’s crisp, full of juicy citrus and orchard fruits and it’s got some roundness to it, from aging on the lees. Smelled way more expensive than it is!

Ile de Conas Le Rosé IGP from Trader Joe’s I had to grab a bottle of rosé for French Club on the patio this week, and I loved the pink flowers on the bottle. As it was from France – probably Coteaux Provence, I knew it would be good and it was! Ripe strawberries and watermelon – classic Provence-style rosé. And it was $8.99!

Under $40

Rodney Strong Limited Tier Collection You rarely find small-production wines for under $40 and each of the wines in this new line from Rodney Strong is $37. I tasted the Russian River Valley Chardonnay, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Knight’s Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and each was really exceptional. Sometimes I stick my nose in a glass and say, “Hmmm…. smells like money;” as in: “smells expensive” and that was the case here!

I love that they created this line to meet consumers where they are: at the intersection of premium and super-premium level wines in the varietals that people love the most. They also used data that pointed to the fact that nearly 30% of consumers are spending $20 or more per bottle monthly. If you find these, do not hesitate – just grab them, and share them with friends. They are really remarkable for the price point.

Under $50

Gary Farrell Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023 Gary Farrell Winery has been around for more than 40 years, and they just launched this addition to their portfolio, and it was BEAUTIFUL. First, I love Pinot Noir. Second, I love Sonoma PN because the cool climate keeps it fresh and fruity – and so multilayered. I got juicy black cherries, fresh white mushroom, crunchy dry leaves and fresh earth on the nose. Silky tannins just flow over your tongue. It is unmistakably California Russian River Valley and so delicious. Worth the splurge – especially if you’ve got a steak on the grill, or maybe some ribs or brisket, or skirt steak tacos. Yum!

I hope you feel inspired – and unpressured to drop hundreds on wine – because there is a huge bounty of wines out there for reasonable prices. As always, ask your wine shop clerk for advice and don’t be shy about saying, “I want to keep it at … ” whatever price you’re into that day. They’ll respect that!