Good Cheap Wines - in a bottle

And, who says frugal living has to be without luxury? Not me. I've enjoyed wine for many years, and within reason it can be part of a frugal lifestyle.

For those who are looking for rock bottom prices on wine, I suggest you look to box wine to meet your frugal fermented needs.

If you'd rather stick with a bottle of wine, then stay right here and learn about a few varieties that I think are good cheap wines.

First of all, let's dispense with the idea that wine has to be expensive to be good. That is nonsense! The best wine is the wine you like, not the one that costs more than others.

Here are my suggestions for good inexpensive wine.

Jug Wine

I haven't tried many jug wines, but I am familiar with one that I think has good flavor, nice body and is enjoyable by itself or with a hearty meal such as meat, chili or spaghetti. My recommendation among good cheap wines in a jug is Paisano by Carlo Rossi.

This is a good inexpensive wine that is similar to a light Chianti. Nice flavor, smooth and surprisingly good for something that comes in a jug with a screw top.

Bottled Wine at Trader Joes

I am also familiar with "Two Buck Chuck" at Trader Joes. These are good cheap wines in a standard bottle sold under the Charles Shaw label. I have had the Merlot and the Cabernet Savingnon, and they are both very good.

These inexpensive wines are from California and can be found for as little as $2 a bottle. Price varies based on varietal and marketplace. Use the search feature to find the nearest Trader Joes and what they have to offer.

Other Bottled Wines

I have two recommendations for good cheap wines that you can probably find at your local wine and beverage store.

The first is a discovery that I made in Cheyenne. The label is Rex Goliath -- 47 Pound Rooster. Quite a name for a wine, but then I see a lot of odd names on wine bottles these days. I simply refer to it as 47 Pound Rooster. The Merlot and Cabernet Savingnon have very nice flavor and the characteristics you would expect from these varietals.

I enjoyed these so much that I brought a couple bottles to a neighborhood party. One of the wine connoisseurs at the table exclaimed: "The Rooster rocks!" I suppose that was a whole hearted endorsement of this good inexpensive wine.

This California wine is in the $6 to $7 range as of 2009, so it isn't dirt cheap, but certainly a great bargain for something that "rocks" in the world of wine.

My second recommendation is the Tisdale label. I have had the Merlot and Cabernet Savingnon (and you're probably seeing a pattern here that reflects my wine preference). These are California wines with good flavor and acceptable characteristics for the varietals.

I wouldn't hesitate to serve this at a meal with friends who also enjoy a good wine. At about $4 a bottle, it ranks right up there as an outstanding value.

If the jug and bottled wine don't sound appealing? Search for other wines that you might enjoy using the search engine below.

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Have Some Fun

Here is an idea for the frugal minded wine lover. Throw a cheap wine party where everyone is required to bring wine that costs less than $10 a bottle. Then, have a tasting to see which of the cheap wine people like best.

It's a good way to taste a range of inexpensive wines without having to buy (and drink) a dozen bottles.

You'll probably find that there are good cheap wines for much less than what you might think. What a great feeling to discover inexpensive wines that you really like.

Have an party with a theme of "inexpensive wines", and have yourself a good time - responsibly of course.

So my frugal living friends, there you have it, a number of suggestions about how to enjoy good wine on a budget. Whether you pop the cork or unscrew the top, enjoy the nectar of the vines in good health and good cheer.

Done with Good Cheap Wines, take me back to Frugal Living Tips