Wine Enthusiast reviewers uncovered an amazing and wide array of high-scoring, lower-priced wine from around the world for this year’s Best Buy report. How amazing? All of them scored 90 points or more in our blind tastings, and 18 of them scored 93 and above. How low-priced? All are $20 and under and 32 of them are even more affordable at $15 or less.
Whether it’s sparkling wine for a big party, Sauvignon Blanc to keep chilled in the fridge for spur-of-the-moment enjoyment or a sophisticated red for a special dinner—you’ll find it here.
We raised our price limit from $15 to $20 this year, recognizing marketplace realities and expecting that we’d be able to up the overall quality of the Best Buys. The strategy has worked, as you’ll see in this list.
A quick look at the No. 1 wine shows the super-high quality-toprice ratio these wines achieve. This Best Buy is a widely available 93-point, $15 Syrah from California’s J. Lohr winery, about which reviewer Matt Kettmann says, “This is a very satisfying Syrah for a rather stunning price.”
In pouring over more than 3,500 Best Buys identified in the past 12 months, we were especially excited to find so many outstanding rosés, a Lambrusco and terrific wines from Spain and Portugal. Sauvignon Blanc is the most heavily represented varietal, coming from New Zealand, California, Washington and Chile.
Use this report while shopping and you’re sure to snag excellent wines for any occasion. You will often pay $10–$20 less per bottle than you would for wines of comparable quality that didn’t make the list.
Were you named in this list? Congrats! Learn more about reprints, badge licensing, plaques, posters and other opportunities here.
