Whether you prefer red wine, white wine, wine coolers, or even boxed wine, finding the perfect middle ground between price and quality is every wine lover's goal. And in fact, one of the most frequently asked questions to sommeliers is: What is the turning point between a cheap bottle of wine and a good bottle of wine?
We spoke to experts in the field to explain how to find the right wine bottle for every occasion. They also helped us choose five amazing bottles that punch well above their weight. Read on to find out more, and be sure to check out our best spirits lists, including the world's best whiskey, best sipping tequila, and best gin brands.
Related: 10 Wine Country Regions Better Than Napa
How much is a whole bottle?
“Anything under $15 is a value wine,” says wine and beverage consultant James Fairbrother. “Bottles between $15 and $30 are an approachable sweet spot, and above $30 they start to feel like a premium—except for some names like Burgundy, which are probably over $25 even at the low end.”
You'll be hard-pressed to find a worthwhile bottle for under $10, he says, because “wine is an agricultural product that requires a lot of work to produce.”
The factors that influence wine pricing are complex. Fairbrother says wines aged in oak barrels are more expensive than wines produced with oak sawdust. Pinot noir is a more finicky grape compared to merlot; It is sturdy and works well in most places. Difficult terrain that is harder to harvest, import taxes, climate changes such as late-season frosts or wildfires, and unique soils can increase costs.
If you're looking for a great bottle that drinks more than it is, “focus on smaller regions and lesser-known regions with a history of making quality wine,” says Jay Fletcher, master sommelier and guest panelist on Chardonnay Pinot. Classic and Cabernet Classic at The Meritage Resort and Spa. Some U.S. spots he recommends checking out include Lodi, Paso Robles and Lake County in California, and the Columbia Valley in Washington. Look at Macon, Touraine and Roussillon in France; In Spain, focus on Ribera del Duero, Toro and Montsant.
How to Find Good Value Wine?
Beyond price point, you should be able to taste balance in a good bottle of wine.
“Does it taste too acidic? Is it very fruity? Does the alcohol splash on you and make your cheeks red?” says Kathleen Standridge, wine director at The Shipwright's Daughter in Mystic, CT. “Whatever type of wine you prefer, the rule of thumb is that no element of flavor or mouthfeel should stand out or overpower the others. All of these factors can be indicators that a wine may not be made entirely well.”
We asked wine experts to share their picks for quality bottles that drink more than their price tags might suggest. Here are five they recommend.
5 Affordable Wines That Taste More Expensive Than They Are
Kir-Yianni Ramnista Vineyard Xinomavro 2018
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If you love big, bold Barolos produced in Italy, one of Standridge's favorite dupes are wines from Naoussa, Greece.
“Naoussa's wines make people think they are drinking the best Italy has to offer, and are priced well below the low $20 range,” he says.
One of his favorite samples is Kir-Yianni Ramnista Vineyard Xinomavro 2018. Silky and at the same time powerful, this wine carries notes of soft leather, tobacco and green olives and is very similar to the best old-school Barolo.
Aslina Sauvignon Blanc
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Fairbrother says Aslina Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect style crossover between Sancerre and New Zealand. A citrusy and slightly grassy scent with some white floral aromas. Winemaker Ntsiki Biyela went to university in his native South Africa, then studied in Bordeaux, bringing classical technique to his process.
Filipa Pato 3B Rosé Extra Bruto
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Scott Carney, dean of wine studies at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York, says Spain and Portugal have both produced wine for nearly 2,000 years, but they have not benefited from the spotlight shining on France. Therein lies the value of wines like this sparkling blend from Portugal's Bairrada region. Filipa Pato 3B Rosé Extra Bruto is a combination of two Portuguese grapes (red baga and white bical).
“If you're a fan of gross Champagne, you'll appreciate the blood orange and light red fruit notes in this wine,” says Carney.
Muga Rioja Seleccion Special Reservation, 2016
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Muga Rioja, a solid wine with a long history, retails for around $50, but “swings well above that price in terms of mouthfeel, texture and harmony,” says Fletcher. Old vine tempranillo, grenache, Mazuelo and graciano are aged for 26 months in French oak barrels made by their cooperative and thinned with fresh egg white. “Deep layers of dark fruit, spicy notes, great complexity and depth” are expected from this bottle, says Fletcher.
Niepoort Douro Twisted Tinto
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Niepoort is known for its port, but its portfolio also includes a wide range of dry, more experimental styles. If you love Napa cabernet sauvignon or bold zinfandels, try this red wine from Northern Portugal.
“[Niepoort Douro Twisted Tinto] Fairbrother says it has big, bold, jammy fruit with a firm tannic backbone.
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