9 Experts Reveal Best Wines Under $30

Think you need to spend tons of money for great wines? Think again.

I wanted to know which bottles of wine under $30 the experts were buying for their personal enjoyment. I decided to go straight to the source and ask the experts – to see if the best bottles under $30 would rise to the surface. I asked 9 wine experts a simple question:

If you could only choose 3 wines for under $30, which 3 would you choose?

This guide lists the best white wines under $30 along with best red wines under $30. So, if you are white wine lover or a red wine enthusiast, this post is for you.

The Best Wines Under $30

Here are the best bottles of wine under $30 recommended by the experts.

#1. Mike Veseth (http://wineeconomist.com/)

Only three wines? That’s difficult but I will give it a try! I would mention that you should be using a wine aerator to get the most out of each wine.

A. Eroica 2013 Riesling (White Wine)

A. I love Riesling and this Washington State wine pairs so well with so many foods and experiences. This one is terrific every year – a partnership between Chateau Ste Michelle and Germany’s Dr Loosen. (Price- $19.99)

 

B. Bacalhoa Moscatel du Setubal (Dessert Wine)-

Because it is a surprisingly inexpensive wine from Portugal that you can drink like a Sauternes. Before the meal. With dessert. Maybe as a cocktail base? Pure pleasure that catches most people by surprise. (Price- $11.41)

 

C. Hedge Estate Family ‘Red Mountain’ (Red Wine)

Another Washington State wine. A real bargain given the quality of the wine. From Washington’s smallest AVA. Really punches above its weight in terms of value. (Price- $28.99)

 

#2. Sondra Barret (http://sondrabarrett.com/)

My price point if I’m buying wine for every day is usually under $10 and what I tend to buy – always reds.

A. Menage a Trois 2013 Red Blend (Red Wine)- (Price- $10.99)

B. Concannon 2012 Conservancy Petite Sirah (Red Wine)– (Price- $11.99)

C. Mark West 2013 California Pinot Noir (Red Wine)- (Price- $11.99)

D. (Bonus) Occasionally I’ll “splurge” for Cambria 2012 Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir (Red Wine)- (Price- $20.99)

 

#3. David White (http://www.terroirist.com/)-  

Just three?! So difficult!

A. Massican Annia (White Wine)-

A blend of Tocai Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, and Chardonnay, the wine is serious yet gulpable. (Price- $30)

 

B. Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly (Red Wine)-  

As the price of other top Beaujolais continues to increase (it’s now hard to find any Foillard for less than $40), it’s refreshing that Chateau Thivin’s price has remained stable at about $20- price.

 

C. Clos Roche Blanche Cuvée Pif (Red Wine)-

Difficult to find but worth the search. (Price- $19.99)

(NOTE: Download our Free Wine & Food Pairing Guide. Enhance the Enjoyment of Your Meals! CLICK HERE) 

 

#4. Monique Soltani (http://wineoh.tv/)-

 

I could never chose only three wines. So many wonderful options. Here are three wines under $30 that I have tasted recently that I think are great!

A. SurSur 2014 Grillo Sicilia DOC (White Wine)-

The new single-variety from Donnafugata is crisp, fruity and fun for summer. (Price- $23)

B. 2012 Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Wine)

2012 was a fantastic year for Napa Valley. This Bordeaux blend gives you an excellent bang for your buck. (Price- $28)

C. Saint M 2014Château Saint-Maur (Rose Wine)

One of only 18 cru classés from the Côtes de Provence. Savor the last bit of summer with this expressive, elegant, and fresh French rose wine. (Price- $25)

                       

#5.  Chris Kissack (http://www.thewinedoctor.com/)-

 

A. 2012 Clos des Briords from Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet (White Wine)

Remains under-appreciated and undervalued, although I see that is slowly changing, especially with top domaines like Pépière. This is classic Muscadet, deliciously vibrant with fresh acidity and fascinating minerality. It drinks beautifully young, and yet it also develops good things with age. The problem is most people never find out as it is difficult not to keep pulling the corks in their youth. The 2012 vintage was superb for Muscadet – the best vintage in several years. (Price- $17.99)

B. 2013 Vouvray Sec from Vincent Carême (White Wine)

Vouvray is an appellation that has been in the doldrums for a long time; there were always a handful of domaines turning out top quality, but otherwise, the appellation felt really stagnant. That’s changing now, though. Vincent is one of the driving forces behind this revitalization, running a very efficient domaine but also lecturing at the local lycée and mentoring a number of other young, up-and-coming Vouvray is once more an appellation to watch with interest. The weather wasn’t ideal in 2013, but Vincent still made some very good wines. (Price- $30)

C. 2011 Bourgueil Grand Clos from Yannick Amirault (Red Wine)-

The red wines of the Loire are under-appreciated, and the most famous are probably Chinon and Saumur. The wines of Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil can, from the right domaine, be just as Yannick Amirault is one such domaine. From what is turning out to be a really interesting vintage for red wines, this is classic Cabernet Franc from flinty soils, dark and spicy, with silky structure and minerality too. Top stuff. I recommend using a wine preservation system to get the most value from each bottle of wine and keep it fresh. (Price- $20.79)

#6.  Jeff Siegel (winecurmudgeon.com)-

A. Casteller cava (Sparkling Wine)- (Price- $13.99)

 

B. Domaine du Tariquet 2013 Chardonnay (White Wine)– (Price- $15.99)

C. Saint Cosme Cote du Rhone (Red Wine)- (Price- $15.99)

 

(Bonus: All are $15 and less, and put a rest to the idea that you need to spend a lot for wine!)

#7. William “Rusty” Gaffney, M.D. (princeofpinot.com)-

A. 2012 Evesham Wood Le Grive Bleue Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir (Red Wine)- (Price- $24.99)

B. 2012 Cosa Obra Sonoma County Pinot Noir (Red Wine)- (Price- $27.99)

C. 2012 Beckham Estate Chehalem Pinot Noir (Red Wine)- (Price- $30)

                                   

#8. Rich Cook (winewiseweb.com)-

 

Pretty hard to pick just three! But, if pressed, based on currently available wines, I’d pick-

A. Decoy 2013 Sonoma County Pinot Noir (Red Wine)– (Price- $19.99)

 

B. 2014 Sonoma-Cutrer Sauvignon Blanc, Winemaker’s Release, Russian River Valley (White Wine)- (Price- $24.99)

 

C. Albert Bichot Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Reserve (Champagne & Sparkling)- (Price- $27)

    

#9. Brendon and Kirstyn Keys (bkwines.com.au)-

 

They are all great value wines with texture and flavour.

A. Tabhilks Marsanne (White Wine)- (Price- $20.83)

B. Guigal 2011 Cotes du Rhone Rouge – Rhone Blends (Red Wine)- (Price- $14.99)

C. Picpoul de Pinet (White Wine)- (Price- $15.99)

                                   

Top 3 Wines you should taste in 2022-

S.no.	Wine	Price
1.	2012 Cosa Obra Sonoma County Pinot Noir (Red Wine)	$27.99
2.	Tabhilks Marsanne (White Wine)	$20.83
3.	Saint M 2014Château Saint-Maur (Rose Wine)	$25

 

Most of the above-mentioned wines are under $20. Also if you are looking for best wine gifts under $30, then you must try the above options.

That’s a Wrap!

A huge Thank You! to everyone who contributed to the roundup. Please share if you found it useful! As always please be responsible when drinking wine and make sure not to get too wine drunk!

(NOTE: Download our Free Wine & Food Pairing Guide. Enhance the Enjoyment of Your Meals! CLICK HERE)