Best Wines for Less Than $15

Many people falsely believe that wine must be expensive in order to have a good flavor. The quality and taste of wine rarely has anything to do with the cost, and some of the best wines available can be purchased and enjoyed for 15 dollars or less. I buy most of my wine online, but most of the wines listed below can be purchased at any local grocery store.

Red Wines:

2003 Castle Rock Carneros Pinot Noir - This delicious red wine offers a sweet, flavorful combination of strawberries and cherries and a touch of smoke. Excellent with all types of fish and poultry, especially salmon. This is one of the best California wines I have had the pleasure of trying, and sells for just 9.00 dollars.

2005 Gallo Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - Excellent tasting wine for the price. This Cabernet Sauvignon has a bit of an oak flavor with supple tannins. This is another California wine for an unbeatable price of 15.00 dollars.

2003 Turning Leaf Reserve Syrah - Another wonderful wine from Turning Leaf! This Syrah is award winning, and has an impressive earthy, smoky flavor with just a hint of fruit. It sells for only 8.00 dollars a bottle.

2003 Gallo Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - Another Cabernet Sauvignon from Gallo, this 2003 wine provides just a touch of vanilla and spice with a dark fruity flavor. At only 14.00 dollars a bottle, it goes well with just about anything you can dream up in the kitchen.

2001 Blackstone Merlot - This full-flavored Merlot is just a bit fruity with hints of pomegranate and cherry flavors. I enjoy this wine with all types of meat, but it goes especially well with beef. This California wine is wonderfully priced at just 12.00 a bottle.

2002 Forest Glen Cabernet Sauvignon - Forest Glen makes a great number of delicious wines, but this one stands out to me. It is especially velvety and rich, with a wonderful berry flavor. The great, lingering finish makes this wine worth much more than the usual selling price of 10.00 dollars.

White Wines:

2003 Ermacora Pinot Gris - This delicate Italian wine's citrus flavor goes well with pasta and poultry. It might be the perfect wine to complement your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey. For the price of 15.00 dollars a bottle, it works well with dinner any night of the week.

2004 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Riesling - Perfect with pork or spicy foods, this Riesling has a lovely peachy flavor with just enough spice to make it stand out from other wines. This wine sells for 10.00 dollars in most stores.

2005 Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay - Rich and buttery, fruity with a touch of vanilla, and perfect with turkey on Christmas or for entertaining. This 10.00 dollar Californian wine has a wonderfully nice finish.

2004 Wildhurst Lake County Reserve Sauvignon Blanc - For only 10.00 dollars a bottle, this distinctive, citrus flavored wine is an excellent choice and goes very well with just about any meal.