What to Drink Now: The Best Wines Under 30 Dollars

Whispering Angel is my all-time favorite rose for a reason; it’s extremely drinkable, approachable and easy to find just about anywhere.  In fact the first place I ever drank WA was in Turks & Caicos.  Another plus, the price.  You can usually find a bottle for $17 and under and in my opinion, you should never pay more than $30 for a bottle of rose. The most expensive I will EVER get is Miraval. 

Something to note; you can usually tell the “sweetness” of rose by the color; the pinker it is, the sweeter it tends be. 

I’ve never met a Locations wine I didn’t like. Of course, I’m a fan of all of the Orin Swift wines.  But with the Locations, David Phinney gives us a few cant-be-beat red wines that I like to have on hand at all times. I started drinking them when there were only three locations, and now there are perhaps 12 out there. I’ve heard that there’s actually a great one from Texas now (which I’ll have to try before my verdict is out). 

Added bonus? I pick these up at Whole Foods for $19/bottle. 

Aged in stainless steel tanks, this Sauvignon Blanc has a crisp freshness with flavors of peach, passionfruit and lemongrass. It’s considered a medium-bodied, refreshing wine that has a can’t-be-beat flavor profile.  

This is a great, great pick from Napa Valley’s Honig Vineyard & Winery…and will never break the bank. 

Something to note; if ever in Napa Honig is right across the street from Round Pond and around the corner from Silver Oak…3 of my favorite wineries.  I highly suggest you make the loop & hit up all three if ever in town.

As you may remember, I checked an item off the bucket list a few years ago when I worked harvest with La Crema.  It only deepened my love for this winery, ans its Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is (and will always be) a household staple for us.  It’s an easy-to-drink, balanced red that makes for a great “house wine.”

Another favorite from La Crema, the Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is broad, juicy, and beautifully balanced. With each sip, you’ll enjoy notes of vanilla and yellow plum, and flavors of apple. It’s another crowd-pleaser you can’t go wrong with. 

I just can’t quit you, Santa Margherita.  There’s a reason why everyone loves this clean, crisp white wine.  It has a slight sweetness, with a delicate, tangy flavor and is always a crowd pleaser.  If you’ll remember, I used this pinot grigio in my holiday sangria recipe.  Just so good! 

I’m a big fan of this Sancerre’s subtle minerality, yet vivid, tangy citrus and herby flavors. 

Really just anything from the Sancerre will be good. It’s a French Appalachian region in the eastern Loire Valley.  I also love Les Ruettes Sancerre Rosé and Sancerre Domaine Philipe Raimbault Sauvignon Blanc…they’re all great warm weather wines that are easy to find and reasonably priced.  I’ve never tasted anything from Sancerre I didn’t love.

To be honest, I didn’t think I would like this barrel fermented chardonnay.  It specifically boasts “rich, oaky, buttery notes” and I usually hate buttery rich chardonnays. But Mama K and I recently tried it, and both REALLY liked it.  And at only $12-13/bottle, it’s definitely worth stocking up on.

Of course the name and label is what made me pick up the bottle, but I’m happy to say the taste is what made this my go to wine back in my twenty year old days.  This Washington state syrah has aromas of fresh picked herbs and wet earth.  It’s a dark, explosive wine that is absolutely incredible with rich entree like slow-roasted pork shoulder. 

One of my all-time favorites: Round Pond’s Sauvignon Blanc.  It’s simply a beautiful, dry wine and a consistent crowd-pleaser. Round Pond’s vineyard is located in Rutherford, an area in Napa Valley known for its dusty, earthy soils. It’s mostly well known for its Cabernet Sauvignon (which is great), but I’m partial to this Sauv Blanc.  It balances juicy fresh citrus, pear and white peach fruit with light floral notes, enhanced with a nice layer of texture from a touch of sur lie aging (or leaving the wine on the yeasts for a short period of time,), all while staying refreshing and light. 

I’m also a member of Round Pond’s olive oil club; it’s some of the freshest EVOO in California. 

Harvested in Australia’s Adelaide Hills, this cool-climate shiraz by The Lane is both balanced and elegant.  It has a deep purple hue, with a spiced, peppery nose of plum and cherry.  This isn’t your plain old table wine; it’s a medium-bodied red with intense flavor. 

Blackbird Vineyards is one of my favorite stops in Napa, and I especially love its elegant, deep pink rose. On the nose, you’ll get whiffs of strawberry and iris, and to taste: red delicious apple, strawberry and hints of melon. With a blend of Bordeaux grapes, it’s a dry rose wine, perfect for summer sippin’. And it has a clean mineral finish that’s exceptionally light.