10 Wines For Under 10 Dollars

By Bob Lipinski

The elusive “pinnacle of perfection” in wine still exists and one can only thirst for that miracle bottle of great wine for $9.99 that is out there somewhere. But until that day comes, we can enjoy the journey and be on the lookout for wines that complement that “special dinner” or just for leisurely “quaffing” on a Saturday afternoon. To walk into a wine shop and “pluck down” $10 for a bottle of untried wine is often an effort in futility.

I’ve been busy tasting dozens of wines (and spirits for a later article) and have found 10 that are not only great values but can pair with a multitude of foods and would be a welcome ingredient in many cooking recipes. Here is my list of suggested wines for you to try.

NV Borrasca Cava “Brut” Spain. Crisp and clean aroma and flavor of green apples, pears, and citrus, with a hint of nuts and ginger.

2022 Cavit “Pinot Grigio delle Venezie,” Italy. Bouquet and flavor of green apple, stone fruit, pear, and lime. It is light-bodied with a lingering aftertaste of almonds.

2021 Lindeman’s “Chardonnay Bin 65,” Southeastern, Australia. Very easy-to-drink with notes of butter, dill, green apple, citrus, and an abundance of toasted bread.

2021 La Vieille Ferme “Rouge,” Ventoux, Rhône Valley. France. (Blend of Carignan, Cinsaut, Grenache, and Syrah grapes.) Bright ruby-colored with a seductive bouquet and taste of berries (blackberry, raspberry), spicy cherries, black tea, and herbs. Smooth with flavors of black currants, black pepper, and plums with a long aftertaste.

2021 Laria “Montepulciano d’Abruzzo,” Abruzzo, Italy. Dark almost purple color with plenty of dark fruit, blackberries, black cherries, jam, licorice, chestnuts, and a spicy warming aftertaste.

2021 Casa del Toro “Cabernet Sauvignon- Merlot,” Curicó, Chile. Dark colored with a medium-full bouquet and taste of blackberries, plums, cherries, and chocolate. Easy to drink with some tannin to lose.

2021 Trapiche “Malbec,” Mendoza, Argentina. Bouquet and taste of boysenberry, cherries, cinnamon, and plums with hints of mushrooms, herbs, and vanilla.

2019 Caliterra “Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva,” Colchagua, Chile. Cherry colored with flavors of blueberry, green pepper, coffee, pomegranate, and tart-berries. The aftertaste had hints of licorice and cinnamon.

2020 Lindeman’s “Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 45,” Southeastern, Australia. Dark colored with a bouquet and taste of coffee, black currants, tea, and mushrooms. Smooth finish with hints of mint and dark plums.

NV Rivata Dry, White Vermouth, Italy. A full perfumed bouquet of spices, almonds, mint, hints of orange peel and herbs. Dry, with a lemon fresh taste.

Bob Lipinski is the author of 10 books, including “101: Everything You Need To Know About Whiskey” and “Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple” (available on Amazon.com). He consults and conducts training seminars on Wine, Spirits, and Food and is available for speaking engagements. He can be reached at www.boblipinski.com OR bkjm@hotmail.com.