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Posted

I don't know how to update the top post, so I'll just update as we go.

I'm cheap, and I've gotten some fine recommendations from surly.  So why not. 

Here are the rules.  Not putting a cap on the price of the wine but in reality, yeah, let's put a cap on it - say $25?  But I'm really looking for the crazy bargains.

You recommend a budget wine that just has really blown you away - specify whether you are comparing it to all wines or just a fantastic value that can be appreciated. If it gets another mention (not just an upvote but an actual mention, it will go on the list.  If you have a bad experience, say so, and it comes off the list. 

The idea is to build a list of top 10 - five reds, three whites, two sparklings.

I just want a cheat sheet when I go to specs. 

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Posted

Pro tip #1 - Don’t limit yourself to Specs. Lots of good bargains out there at Total Wine, Costco and even Trader Joe’s, just to name the big box stores.

Posted

Sam’s Member’s Mark - Chardonnay actually pretty good. Makes a good replacement for Chateau St Jean (not Michelle) which is defunct.

Posted

Or go to wine is anything by Chateu Ste. Michelle. I don't think they have a bottle over $20, and most of them are under $15. We always have 4 or 5 on hand for everyday meals or just to drink. 

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Posted

The Joel Gott Cabernet at $12.99 at HEB is a steal.


Mumm Napa Rose at $18 at HEB is an easy choice if you want sparkling.

Gruet sparkling at Specs is around $15 and isn’t bad.

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Posted
4 hours ago, Mo Horn said:

Or go to wine is anything by Chateu Ste. Michelle. I don't think they have a bottle over $20, and most of them are under $15. We always have 4 or 5 on hand for everyday meals or just to drink. 

Just had that today at the airport and it was pretty good for the price. 

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Posted

Randall's/Tom Thumb discount when you buy 6 bottles is pretty good.  We focus on California red blends under $20.  I'm not smart enough to know the difference -- but very drinkable.

Posted (edited)

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a banger for $16. I’d probably have to go up to an Artemis Stag’s Leap before I found another wine I liked better. 

Yarden Red Wine is great for $12, and it’s kosher.

My favorite under $10 is sold at Target. California Roots Red Blend. It’s tough to beat for $5. 

Edited by billfromlaketravis
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Posted

We drink a lot of Rhône blends in the $25 and under price range.

St. Cosme Cote du Rhône - $18.99
https://www.centralmarket.com/product/st-cosme-cote-du-rhone-750-ml/2813028

Bonpas Ventoux Grande Réserve Des Challières - $18.95
https://www.centralmarket.com/product/bonpas-ventoux-grande-reserve-des-challieres-750-ml/8504504

Famille Perrin Nature (organic) - $12.99
https://www.heb.com/product-detail/famille-perrin-nature-cotes-du-rhone/2664087

We’re fond of Grenache and GSM blends, so that’s our go-to everyday wine. It helps when Central Market does their 20% off sale and we stock up.

I also think the Orin Swift Locations wines are generally pretty good in that same price range, although their bottles annoy me because they don’t fit easily in our wine fridge.

Posted

The Château Ste Michelle Brut  bubbly is my favorite for bottle number 2 or 3.   (I enjoy an expensive bottle of champagne for the first bottle popped, but by the time everyone starts to get snockered they won’t know the difference.  Like if you want your third Jack Daniels and Coke you’re gonna get Old Crow and coke at my party and like it.  Because you really can’t tell when you dump Coke in it.)

A good budget price Cab Sav or Merlot is the Freak Show offering.

 

Posted

So we generally have a house white & red that we keep on hand by the case (or 2) just as daily drinkers. Our white is thus:

image.jpeg.42c14c6277036154f769baea1260244f.jpeg
 

Dipinti Chardonnay - $15 a bottle.

Red

image.jpeg.11f519babfb1de6021e72edb0d933f3e.jpeg
 

La Salare Montepulciano - $9 - great for the price. 
 

the red is about to be replaced only because 20+ cases later we need something new.

The candidates that remain

image.thumb.jpeg.cf145af41ba0dcae5cd06a6e556eea17.jpeg
 

Cherchi Midi - $13

image.thumb.jpeg.2070113f5b2f644912a76b87ed34302e.jpeg
 

 

Notre Dame Des Pallieres Cotes du Rhone - $13

Very good wine doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You just need to drink a lot to find it. 

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Posted
6 hours ago, Captain Ron said:

La Salare Montepulciano - $9 - great for the price. 

Any idea if that's available in the Austin area?  I'm striking out on Total Wine, Spec's, Twin Liquors, grocery stores, etc.

Posted
5 hours ago, jimmyjazz said:

Any idea if that's available in the Austin area?  I'm striking out on Total Wine, Spec's, Twin Liquors, grocery stores, etc.

I wish I could tell you. One thing about my Boston selections - I have a lot of local importers. So that might not be. This is where I get them.

La Salare - https://bermansfinewines.com/shop/product/le-salare-montepulciano-dabruzzo-collemorino/5b6306f98f58763a2f3cff01?option-id=e1624d8a5d564fb8b6bb04c0caba891a19c837f745e63eb4e02b645907ba5fd7

 

Dipinti - https://bermansfinewines.com/shop/product/dipinti-chardonnay-vigneti-delle-dolomiti/5858564d39e21c3fb6d12318?option-id=b13cc2a78f4cce9ccce8053ba2a58b192b7da3c2c06c0fa0ced1ded97eb61739

 

The other two are there too. 
 

Another one I love, is this one Chateau de Flaugergues. It’s very vintage specific, their 2012-2014 were amazing and paired with anything  their 2015-2016 were meh. Since it’s rebounded, but not as good  an my first vintages  

image.jpeg.3422d07ab741b9673efe1092c0df7927.jpeg

 

https://bermansfinewines.com/shop/product/chateau-de-flaugergues-cuvee-sommeliere/5bea3f1c20c8ba6106434621?option-id=87584b0ed87f2d00109c4d65e2cea0d4db791f2363d1778b36597a86074c3bc2

Posted

La Crema has some good Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The Costco / Kirkland wines are very good for their price point.

K Vintners out of Washington for Syrah / Rhone varietals (he also does some Cab and Malbec stuff).

Lingua Franca out of Oregon for Pinot Noir.

Posted
On 3/25/2025 at 10:22 PM, Captain Ron said:

So we generally have a house white & red that we keep on hand by the case (or 2) just as daily drinkers. Our white is thus:

image.jpeg.42c14c6277036154f769baea1260244f.jpeg
 

Dipinti Chardonnay - $15 a bottle.

Red

image.jpeg.11f519babfb1de6021e72edb0d933f3e.jpeg
 

La Salare Montepulciano - $9 - great for the price. 
 

the red is about to be replaced only because 20+ cases later we need something new.

The candidates that remain

image.thumb.jpeg.cf145af41ba0dcae5cd06a6e556eea17.jpeg
 

Cherchi Midi - $13

image.thumb.jpeg.2070113f5b2f644912a76b87ed34302e.jpeg
 

 

Notre Dame Des Pallieres Cotes du Rhone - $13

Very good wine doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You just need to drink a lot to find it. 

Are any of these available to TW or Spec’s?

Posted
On 3/23/2025 at 11:17 AM, billfromlaketravis said:

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a banger for $16.

My favorite under $20.

A few others l like:  (Cabs)

Decoy

Liberty School

Rodney Strong

Lodi Estates

 

 

Posted

Some of my favorite labels at TJs... most of these are simple, everyday table wines.  Nothing fancy.  Nothing complex.  Just food friendly or hot weather friendly wines.

Casone Toscana - Two of My Favorite Things • Reverse Wine Snob

Foncastel Picpoul de Pinet From Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's Vignobles Lacheteau Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Review

Blue Shell Rosé - Simply Satisfying

Grifone Sangiovese From Trader Joe's - A Cheap Fix

Les Portes de Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc - Quite The Deal

Villa Cerrina Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - Tart, Simple and...

Ile de Conas Le Rosé - Super Satisfying

Floriana Gruner Veltliner - Good Gruner!

Rosa dell'Olmo Barbera d'Asti - A Darn Good Wine For The Price

Opaline Pinot Noir Brut Rosé

Any of the Prosecco by this winery is excellent

 

Cecilia Beretta Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut

Lastly, this is a great stand-in for Prosecco in a spritz...

contadino-vivace.png

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