10 BEST Wines Under $20

Contrary to popular belief, I did not attend Stanford (although I wish I had, & fortunately got a second college experience basically living there). I went to a school in Northern California called Sonoma State, right in the heart of good old wine country. Rather than trips to the city, every year friends went Wine Tasting, Barrel Tasting, & many of my close friends worked at wineries or came home from catering events with bottles of wine. Thus, this is where I acquired my taste & love for wine.

Having loved me a good bottle of Cab before kids, I ESPECIALLY understood why moms become wine-o’s after I had a child. There is absolutely nothing like a quiet house, baby is down, all your errands and mommy and wifey duties are done for the day, & you here that pop of a bottle being opened. Coffee is what gets you through the day, wine is your day’s end present. Let it breathe baby & COME TO MAMA! You get to finally sit back, relax & have that ‘ahh’ feeling.

Having said that, I drink a fair amount of wine, so I’ve mad a list of some of my favorite wines for under $20 just for you. I’m always open to a new yummy bottle so feel free to send recommendations my way in the Comments section.

1. Alexander Valley Sin Zin
2. Matua Valley Sauv Blanc*
3. Dreaming Tree Cab Sauv
4. El Terrano Rosé (Whole Foods)
5. Alexander Valley Merlot
6. 7 Deadly Zins
7. J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cab Sauv
8. Estancia Merlot
9. Simi Sauv Blanc
10. Bogle Vineyards Zin

Also, if you don’t have one already I highly suggest getting an electric wine opener like this one. It really let’s you get straight to the point, hands & mess free 🙂

*I’m not a huge fan of white wine, it tends to give me headaches, however I have fallen in love with Sauvignon Blanc’s from the New Zealand Marlborough coast. When shopping in the Sauv Blanc section, just look for Marlborough on the label & you’ll be golden. It has a sweeter flavor versus grassy, but its not over powering in it’s sweetness.