Inexpensive White Wines Good Enough for Your Wine Glass

Mmmm, I love wine. Especially white wine. It's the perfect pick-me-up after a trying day at home with the kids. It's a great bridge to reconnect with my husband after a long day at work. It's tasty. It's good with cheese. It's good with friends. It's good all by itself. It's wonderful. And, believe it or not, it's good when it's cheap and inexpensive.

I've had to curb my wine spending habits over the past several months. Yes, my spoiled palette has pouted as I've struggled to teach it about inexpensive wines. I've been surprised, however, at how good some inexpensive wines are. The key is to keep an open mind.

For the purpose of this article, inexpensive wines are those under $10.

Cheap, Inexpensive CHARDONNAY

I enjoy a hit of oak in my chardonnay. Meridian Chardonnay delivers with just the right balance of oak and fruit, with a slight hint of butter. It's a nice, well-rounded wine that's as good by itself as it is with food.

Even if you don't fancy oaky notes in your chardonnay, there's a good chance you'll enjoy Meridian's Chardonnay.

Under $8 per bottle.

Cheap, Inexpensive SAUVIGNON BLANC

Sutter Home's Sauvignon Blanc is a great alternative to the more expensive New Zealand sauvignon blancs (think Kim Crawford). A main portion of the grapes are grown along the central coast and cool northern regions of California. The remainder are harvested from warmer California climates.

Under $9 per bottle.

Cheap, Inexpensive SAUVIGNON BLANC

Gallo Family Twin Valley Sauvignon Blanc is a bright, crisp, fruity wine. It's perfect for sipping on a warm afternoon.

Under $6 per bottle.

Cheap, Inexpensive Gewürztraminer

There's nothing better than a sweeter wine to go with spicy foods. Fetzer's "gavurtz" can hold its own when paired with your favorite hot-as-fire dishes.

Don't like spicy food? Just pour the wine over ice and sip on the patio. Don't forget the bon bons.

Under $10 a bottle.

Cheap, Inexpensive White Wines

Affectionately known as Two Buck Chuck, the white wines from Trader Joe's are a huge hit. The label reads Charles Shaw. I don't know who Chuck is, but he's got a heck of a good thing going on.

In a nutshell, the surprisingly good wines that fill Chuck's bottles are the result of an over abundance of wines and a, "great relationship with a valued supplier."

Under $4 a bottle.

Time to grab the corkscrew and a wine glass. Cheap, inexpensive wines are better than you might think. Cheers!

Charles Shaw

SOURCES

Personal Experience

http://www.meridianvineyards.com/meridian/catalog/view_product.jsp?product_id=1040

http://www.sutterhome.com/w_sb.php

http://www.traderjoes.com/product_categories.html#Booze

http://www.gallofamilyvineyards.com/

http://www.fetzer.com/wines.aspx