How to Choose a Good Wine on a Budget

Wine is so commonly portrayed as a luxury, a status symbol that brings to many a depiction of sophisticated dinner parties in fancy chateaus and cellars full of rare vintages priced well into triple digits. The idea that good wine has to be pricey is just a clever marketing illusion that far too many consumers continue to fall for. At its most basic level, wine is the great everyday pleasure that should be brought within range of everyone who wants it.

The truth is it doesn't have to cost a lot to drink well. This is where it gets difficult though: sifting through the selection of inexpensive wines may be like going through a minefield of inferiority. So how do you separate the great from the downright awful without having to pay upward of $50 per bottle?

First thing, let us get one thing clear: price and quality are not hand in hand when it comes to wine. Most good wines are out there well below $15, but you're going to have to do some digging for them and be a tad suspicious of the pricing games played in this business. Let’s break down what you really need to know to choose a good wine on a budget.

Ignore the Fancy Label and Focus on Region

Wine marketing is done for seduction. The shiny labels, fancy typefaces, and ambrosial vineyard imagery are all a calculated effort to convince you that this bottle is more special than it actually is. The reality is these fancy labels tells you nothing about the quality of what’s inside.

Instead, focus on the area where the wine is from. For example, France's Bordeaux or Burgundy might be world-famous (and pricey), but close to the borders, you could find regions like Languedoc and Loire Valley making exceptional wines. Spain may steal the limelight with Rioja, but other areas such as Toro or Jumilla deliver wines of impressive value for a fraction of what you might pay in Spain. The Brunello di Montalcino in Tuscany will make a sizeable dent, but you can find amazing wines from Sicily or Abruzzo for a fraction of the cost.

The key here is not to get swayed by big-name regions or snazzy packaging. But just like in wine, it is often the lesser-known regions and crus that give you more bang for your buck. Normally, these places do not have the same marketing budget as the major wine-producing locations, and this actually maintains their prices lower—and quality can still be outstanding!

Grape Varieties Matter: Know What to Look For

One trick to finding good wines for cheap is to learn grape varieties that deliver great value. You’ve heard of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, but they’re often represented in budget wines with premium prices. But there are a ton of other grape varieties which taste just as complex, just as great and cost a lot less.

For the big and bold red wine lover, don’t bother with Cabernet, choose an Argentine Malbec, Californian Zinfandel, or Spanish Garnacha (Grenache). They're known for their robust flavor profiles, and they're vastly less expensive.

For drinkers of white wines, avoid the ubiquitous Chardonnay and opt instead for a crisp Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, or a deliciously refreshing Chenin Blanc from South Africa. Lesser-hyped grapes are often overlooked, but they are of great value.

Blends are also a budget wine drinker's best friend. Often, blended wines (particularly from less famous regions) are designed to provide balanced flavors at a lower price than single-varietal counterparts. Don’t be afraid to mix—you can often find a hidden gem.

Shop Smart: Where to Buy Budget Wine

Your choice of where to purchase wine is more important than one may think and a place many consumers fall short. Most people head to the metro supermarkets or liquor chains, convinced they are getting a good deal on wine, when in fact these stores can make some of their biggest margins from upping the price of wine. Instead, check out local wine shops or online-only retailers like 8Wines recommended wines , which focus on a more comprehensive range of wines in different price categories.

Often, you can find intriguing and affordable offers at a shop run by passionate wine lovers who simply want to get high-quality wine. They might not get the marketing cash of their larger retail counterparts, but they have something even more valuable—knowledge. If you have no idea, then pay a visit to a shop or two, whose staff can point out some of the good wines for what your price points are.

Finding budget wines is also a game changer for online wine retailers. Even a specialized subscription service will let you browse via budget, region, and even use comments from other customers on what’s really good. With so many online platforms offering bulk deals or free shipping on multiple bottles, it's never easier to stock up without hurting your budget.

Vintage vs. Non-Vintage: Does It Matter?

We are often led to believe that older bottles (often referred to as “vintage” wines) have something special that non-vintage lacks. Although some wines (usually higher-end bottles) need time to age, most of the wine made today is meant for early consumption. Therefore, unless you are a collector of fine wines or hold onto wine for years before drinking it anyway, then the choice whether to buy vintage or non-vintage should not bother if you consistently shop on a budget.

In reality, non-vintage wines (those made from grapes harvested in different years) are typically less expensive and taste just as good as vintage wines. There are a number of winemakers who blend wines together from multiple harvests just to maintain the flavor profile, year over year, with perfection while saving money.

Don’t Be Fooled by Medals and Scores

A wine bottle plastered with medals or a 90-point rating from some wine critic may appear to be an unerring choice, but these accolades can be misleading. Almost all wine competitions are paid for by the wineries, and the scores can be all over the place based on a judge’s personal preferences. Just because a wine gets an award or high score, doesn’t mean it’s the better choice for you, especially if it’s out of your budget range.

Trust your own palate instead of relying on awards and scoring. For example, when shopping for wine, try to remember some types of wine you have enjoyed in the past and make those same types a baseline for your selections. From there, you’ll want to look for wines with similar flavor profiles, regions, or grape varieties that you’ll prefer. That way you won’t stray from your choice because of some awards or for any arbitrary reasons.

Embrace Boxed and Canned Wine

Let’s cut through the snobbery—boxed and canned wines are no longer the sad punchline they once were. Many producers are in fact putting high quality wine in these alternate formats because they are cheaper to produce and have a smaller carbon footprint.

Boxed wines are almost always a smart value because for longer drink times and day to day sipping, you get a ton of wine for a low, low cost per bottle. Because boxed wines are vacuum sealed, they don't spoil and actually keep better once opened as well. Meanwhile, canned wines are great for any casual sipping or outdoor events, they come in a ‘just as good quality’ wine that you can expect to find in bottles but in more convenient packaging.

Drink Smart, Not Expensive

Searching for a good wine on a budget isn't about settling for less; it's about identifying where to search and how to shop. The truth is, great wine can be bought at any price, should you wish to go in search of it. Don’t ignore the marketing, but do learn about grape varieties and regions. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to try something new. No need to spend top dollar to enjoy a wonderful bottle of wine, and sometimes a bit of knowledge and looking past the big names does the trick. Drink smart, not expensive.