As an amateur wine enthusiast I have discovered that very good wines can be had inexpensively. Some of the most affordable wines are white wines. They are flavorful and aromatic, a characteristic of wine wines in general. As any wine lover will tell you white wines are the sweeter, easier to palate whites and the list I’ve compiled for you certainly shows off those aspects. And the beauty of white wines is that many quality inexpensive ones exist and tend to be easily found in your nearest liquor or grocery store. When you do go, look for these five white wines under $15:
Kendall-Jackson Riesling: Kendall-Jackson wines can be found at virtually any grocery store wine cellar. Unfortunately, and without adequate proof, many people assume that such wines will be run of the mill wines that are cranked out in a hurry. But in this case, it seems unlikely. This wine is light and fruity like most quality Rieslings. Why I recommend this wine is because of the subtle fruity flavors and nose that are complimented by very light floral afterthoughts. Peach and pear permeate the senses which make for a wonderful first impression. But be forewarned, this isn’t any riesling, at the finish it can seem to have a bitterness about it that may not suit everyone. However, that bitterness compliments the wine because it gives a full experience that few other inexpensive wines in general do. We’ve enjoyed many a-bottle in front of our fireplace. Well worth the money at $10 a bottle.
Powers Muscat Canelli: A delicate balance of floral and fruit in both the nose and the flavor. The best aspect of this wine is its fruity palate. One can easily taste the blend of peach and orange in this remarkable white. You’ll also enjoy the light sweetness that accompanies sipping as it is not overpowering as some other wines of its type can be. Price: About $9.
French Lick Vignoles: This semi-dry/semi-sweet white from this southern Indiana winery was a very pleasant surprise. It is a wonderfully balance of just enough dry and just enough sweet that it is no wonder it has won awards. The description on the winery’s website (“Popular refreshing, crisp semi-dry white wine with flavors of green apple & citrus.”) really doesn’t do their wine justice. The best analogy I can use to describe this wine is that it is like eating a bunch of grapes. Consider how when you eat a grape it seems dry, but once you bite into it you are rewarded with the rush of sweetness and juiciness. French Lick has basically perfected the whole grape eating experience in a bottle. Yes, the apple and citrus are there, but it is that fresh grape taste that really make this a top-notch inexpensive wine. Price: $14.
Robert Mondavi Muscato: This summer dessert wine is the best wine of its kind I’ve found. I, admittedly, am a heavy tannin, dry kind of guy, but the sweetness of this dessert white floored me. It is perhaps the most balanced fruity, floral and spicy wine I’ve ever tasted. Especially fascinating for my palate was the honey taste at the finish. This one gets and “OMG! I don’t even know how to adequately describe the experience,” from me. While young vintages are running a bit high now (around $20-$25), this magnificent wine can be found online and in some stores for as little as $13.
Firesteed Oregon Pinot Gris: When a friend and I hit a few Willamette valley wineries a couple years back, we were both pleasantly surprised by this Pinot Gris. Of course, the Oregon wine country is the pinot grape, so it really shouldn’t have been the big of a surprise, but it was. Firesteed’s Pinot Gris is very well-rounded with apricot and tropical fruitiness to both the nose and to the taste. If you enjoy a bit of tang in your wine you’ll love this one. The tang is essentially the finish, a long one at that. One glass and you’ll be tasting the fruity tang for quite some time. While the fruity flavors are typical in whites, tanginess is hard to find. And it is because of that surprise tang, that I recommend Firesteed. You’ll be smiling all night tasting the sweet tang of this Pinot Gris. Price: About $13.
Remember, the key to getting a quality inexpensive white wine is to seek out those with a slight flair about them. Each of the whites I recommend have that one special aspect about them that sets them well above their everyday counterparts. Enjoy!
