The wine selection at the winery or your local grocery store is a minefield. You could end up with a dud Chardonnay that will ruin your evening meal. Or, at least, a Merlot or Malbec that’s less satisfying.
In short, the presence of wines can make to break the mood. So, this roundup is for you if you’re in the market looking for the best grocery store wine.
Top 15 Best Grocery Store Wine Bottles You Need To Try
15. Pacific Rim Dry Riesling
Average Price: around $12 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 12.5 percent ABV
Why We Like It: This dry wine from the Pacific Rim region gives refreshing and citrusy characteristics, making it a crowd-pleaser.
We tried this light, dry Riesling with various foods, like cheese, grilled chicken, and duck, and it complements the meal well.
14. Charles Smith Boom Boom Syrah
Average Price: around $17 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 14.5 percent ABV
Why We Like It: The Boom Boom! Syrah is a massive, concentrated, and satisfying red wine blend. It has the aromas of black cherries, boysenberries, white pepper, and savory herbs.
The palate of this wine is full of fine tannins [1], offering a smooth and satisfying finish. This is our favorite Charles Smith expression so far.
Read: Recommended Wine Cooler Brands Today
13. Bota Box NV Old Vine Zinfandel
Average Price: around $20 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 13 percent ABV
Why We Like It: BOTA Box from California has a rich, attractive color with sweet, fruity notes. The aromas of redcurrant, blackberries, and spice notes are noticeable.
It’s full-bodied, offering a well-rounded flavor palate ideal for pairing with various foods like pork and chocolate. Besides, we like the sweet black cherry and toasted oak notes on the finish.
12. Bogle Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel
Average Price: around $12 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 14.5 percent ABV
Why We Like It: Although Bogle produces many wine varieties, we specifically like their Zinfandel. It is really a crowd-pleaser for its red berry notes.
This wine is simply delicious and refreshing – easily accessible at a local grocery store, especially in California.
11. Mionetto Prosecco Brut NV
Average Price: around $15 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 11 percent ABV
Why We Like It: This sparkling wine is great with almost anything. You can enjoy it neat, in a cocktail, or as a food pairing. The price is reasonable, given its versatility.
It’s light, so you can drink it all night long or serve it with food, like dessert, mainly with vanilla or an appetizer. Besides, this is a great alternative to the Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars Chardonnay.
10. Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc
Average Price: around $14 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 12.5 percent ABV
Why We Like It: This New Zealand white wine has a tropical and fruit-forward vibe that will keep you feeling like you are on a beach somewhere.
It’s the kind of wine that you want to drink with grilled fish and sushi or anytime you want to be somewhere close to the water. It is a worthy bottle to be kept on shelves.
9. Cloudline Cellars Pinot Noir
Average Price: around $21 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 13.5 percent ABV
Why We Like It: This 2011 Cloudline Cellars Pinot Noir is a full-bodied wine. We like the lovely mouth feel, oozing with vibrant red and black fruit notes.
It has well-balanced acidity and sweet notes and is a great example of elegance. It has a very subtle vanilla touch with a slightly buttery mouthfeel.
8. Charles & Charles Cabernet Blend
Average Price: around $13 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 13.3 percent ABV
Why We Like It: This blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon from Charles & Charles is a must-have for any dinner party.
Beer is made by men, wine by God.
― Martin Luther, German Priest
The blend is fermented in a way where the alcohol level is lower than most bottles of the same types of wine, making it a great casual drink.
We find this lighter than Cabernet Franc, which you can use with wine cocktails like Chelada or Micheladas.
7. Kim Crawford 2020 Sauvignon Blanc
Average Price: around $18 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 12.5 percent ABV
Why We Like It: Aside from the Pinot Grigio, this is one of our favorite white wines for its fresh, fruity, and crisp characteristics.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc is juicy with plenty of sweet, tropical flavors, such as melon, stone fruit, and passion fruit.
Kim Crawford is our go-to bottle if we want a super rich, fruit-forward, and citrusy wine.
It’s simply refreshing and delicious – with a hint of ripe grapes on the palate and a lingering citrus finish.
But what’s the top sweet wine with high alcohol content?
6. Corvo Nero d’Avola
Average Price: around $12 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 12.5 percent ABV
Why We Like It: If you’re a Pinot Noir or Malbec fan, Nero d’Avola from Sicily is a must-try.
We like how this Sicilian wine gives distinctive flavors and style – an ideal pairing to any dish.
This fruit-forward, easy-drinking wine makes it a perfect choice for any occasion.
5. Chateau Ste. Michelle 2020 Horse Heaven Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Average Price: around $16 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 13 percent ABV
Why We Like It: This light, dry wine has a delicate oak and woodsy hint. So, it’s a good food and cigar pairing.
It is very subtle, making it suitable for dinner parties or if you want a drink to end an exhausting day.
The alcohol content is perfect for a glass and a sip, with flavors from grapes to oak to citrus.
It’s not sweet but not acidic, as well. There’s a hint of oak and grapes on the finish, but overall – it is delicious.
4. Tormaresca Neprica Negroamaro
Average Price: around $13 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 13.5 percent ABV
Why We Like It: This red wine native to Southern Italy has a powerful flavor and alcohol content.
Made with Primitivo and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties, it has a balance of flavor with a smooth finish. It’s a great wine pairing with food, particularly meat.
Read: How Much Does A Liquor Store Make?
3. Beringer 2018 Q Red (Napa Valley)
Average Price: around $50 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 14.8 percent ABV
Why We Like It: This red wine from California is a bit pricey, but the satisfaction and experience it provides justify the price.
The elegant and structured Red Blend of Beringer Q has layers of spice, dark fruit, and leather.
This wine can be cellared for up to 15 years. The blend’s structure and balance reflect the unique personalities of each grape variety in this red wine [2].
2. Freixenet Cordon Negro
Average Price: around $13 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 11 percent ABV
Why We Like It: This sparkling wine is a well-balanced, crisp drink ideal for a palate cleanser.
The flavors of apple, pear, and lemon zest are combined with a hint of ginger for a smooth finish.
This wine is made using the traditional method of aging in double fermentation [3].
The resulting wines are incredibly complex and have layers of complexity.
1. 2020 Côtes du Rhône
Average Price: around $9 to $22 per 750ml
Alcohol Content: 13.5 percent ABV
Why We Like It: Côtes du Rhône is a sure winner if you are looking for the best grocery store wines, regardless of the purpose. This is a basic of the AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée)wines from one of the wine regions in France [4].
This beautiful wine can be rose, white, or red, with Grenache Noir as the main grape variety used for roses and red wines and Grenache Blanc for whites.
Expert Tip: If you can’t find bottles of this wine, we suggest the Buttery Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon from Josh Cellars, which has small amounts of Petit Verdot and Merlot.
** Average prices are based on Drizly online. Price may vary by store. You can check Total Wine and Winery as well.
FAQs
How do you find good wine in the best grocery store around?
You can find good wine in the grocery store wine aisle by reading the label on the bottle.
You can check the wine type, the ABV, and the tasting notes. By doing this, you can tell if this bottle is something you prefer. Make sure to look through the label, always.
Why you should think twice about buying wine in a grocery store?
You should think twice about buying wines in grocery stores as glass wine bottles are mostly not placed and stored on shelves in their best condition.
Wines in bottles may deteriorate due to the harsh light, damaging their aroma and taste
How can I determine the best grocery store wines for my preferences?
Determining the best grocery store wines for your preferences involves considering factors such as grape varietals, flavor profiles, regions, and price points. Experimenting with different wines and seeking recommendations from knowledgeable staff can help you discover new favorites.
Are there any specific grocery stores known for their exceptional wine selections?
Certain grocery stores are known for offering extensive and high-quality wine selections. Examples include Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, and Wegmans, which often feature curated wine sections with a diverse range of options.
What are some affordable yet high-quality grocery store wines?
Many grocery stores offer affordable wines that provide excellent value for their quality. Look for options like Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Bogle Vineyards Chardonnay, and Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, which offer impressive quality at reasonable prices.
Key Takeaways
Now that you know the best grocery store wine, you can now head to your local grocery store and check out which ones are readily available.
From the dry Riesling of Pacific Rim to the Côtes du Rhône wines, all are delicious and worth the try. Just choose a wine bottle, depending on your taste preference and budget.
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/science/tannin
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/wine
- https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Secondary_fermentation_(wine)
- https://wine.lovetoknow.com/wine-regions/french-wine-regions
