What happens when you’re on a budget and you just found out that the woman or man you’re dating loves wine and you don’t know anything about wine?  Maybe you’re at a restaurant and your hottie date asks you to make the wine selection when the waiter hands you the wine list.

 

Let me end the myth right now.  You have been under the misconception that a good bottle of wine has to be expensive.  That’s false. I’ve learned that even those who aren’t making the six figure salary (including myself–a poor, struggling writer) can still afford a fabulous wine and youd don’t have to spend a lot of money.  Here are some of my favorite red wines that are under $10.  I tend to shop for my wine at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market, Cost Plus Market Place, Beverages and More and sometimes the club membership stores (Costco and Sam’s Club) carry great, inexpensive selections.  I drink wine that tastes good and I don’t sit around sniffing the bouquet (ok, sometimes I do).  Prices vary between stores but they are comparable.

I’m a sucker for a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon and I love my red wine.  “Two Buck Chuck”, as its affectionately dubbed because of its $1.99 price tag, produces decent wines for the low, low price pf $1.99.  My favorite Charles Shaw wines is their Cabernet Sauvignon.  It’s one of my favorite “daily drinking,” post-work day wines.  I always have a bottle of Two Buck Chuck on my person (I mean, in my household).  If you need to buy cases of wine for a party or event and don’t want to spend a lot of money, Charles Shaw (carried exclusively by Trader Joe’s) is a good way to go for inexpensive, good wine in bulk.

I’ve mentioned my obsession with Australian wines.  If you want to impress your man or woman, an Australian Shiraz will win his or her wine-drinking heart.  Australia is one of the top-producing wine regions in the world and is known for its excellent Shiraz.  By far, Rosemount Estate is one of my all time favorite, inexpensive Australian wines.  You can find Rosemount Estate in most stores as it’s become a very popular and well-liked Australian wine here in the U.S  I love their Shiraz/Cabernet blend (I’ve found it ranging from $5.99 to $6.99).  It’s smooth and subtle and for those non-red wine drinkers it’s a good introduction to Shiraz.  I’ve found Rosemount on sale at the grocery stores so keep your eyes on the wine sales in the wine sections of your local supermarket.  I’ve noticed that a lot of the chain stores are carrying a lot of Australian wines.

I’m a huge fan of the Sonoma County wineries.  I’ve been a long time drinker of Ravenswood (a Sonoma County winery).  You can’t go wrong bringing over a bottle of Ravenswood (as it’s been a long-established and popular winery in the Napa Valley/Sonoma County area).  The Ravenswood ”Vintners Blend” Zinfandel is a little less costly compared to the Sonoma Zinfandel.  I’ve seen some of the major chain supermarkets carry the “Vintners Blend” Zinfandel for around $6 to $7.

These are just a few wines that won’t break the bank and will impress the wine connoisseur in your life.  Now if they ask you to swirl and spit, you might want to start reading about wine tasting tips.  Grab that bottle of Shiraz and get ready to woo!