If you are a wino like me, you are always looking for that next best red wine that will go best with dinner that night. I am also a bargain shopper, so I do not want to use my whole paycheck on my love for wine. This is how I have found some great red wines that won't break the bank!
Stampede Bold - Red Blend 14 Hands Winery Columbia Valley 2016
Body: Medium Body, very smooth wine
Taste: Cherry, smoky notes, vanilla oak
Tannins: Low tannins
Cost: $12-$15 depending on your store
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Lasagna or Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Vodka Sauce Pasta with Chicken
- Chili
- Steak
- Pizza
- A Good Burger
- Cheddar or Gouda Cheese (if doing a charcuterie board)
Projection 2018 - Cabernet Sauvignon California Winemakers Cut
Body: Full body, resembles a Merlot, very smooth wine
Taste: Chocolate, ripe blackberries, black cherry
Tannins: Low tannins
Cost: $11-$15 depending on your store
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Red Sauced Pasta...Maybe with Meatballs or Sausage!
- Steak
- Chicken Parmesan
- Mushroom Dishes
- Lamb
- Ahi Tuna
Corte Corsano - Chianti Classico 2016
Body: Medium body, resembles a pinot more than a chianti
Taste: Oak and barrel notes, slight tobacco undertones
Tannins: Medium tannins
Cost: $11-$15 depending on your store
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Pizza
- Pesto Pasta
- Bolognese Pasta
- Soups - Pasta Fagioli, Lentil, split pea with ham
- Pecorino Cheeses and other Nutty/Salty Hard Cheeses
- Salami and Soppressata
- Pork Sausage
- Roasted Duck
- Sweet & Sour Chicken
- Chicken Francese or Chicken Picatta
Montepulciano D’abruzzo feudi del duca - Red Blend
Body: light body, between a pinot and a cabernet sauvignon
Taste: Oak/woodsy with slight blackberry and cherry notes
Tannins: Low tannins
Cost: $10
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Sautéed Pork Chop and/or Stuffed Pork Chops with Cheese!
- Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes
- Sausage and Peppers
- Marsala or Parmesan Chicken
- Ravioli or Tortellini with Red Sauce and Parmesan Cheese
19 Crimes - Red Blend
Body: Medium Body, smooth
Taste: Cherry and oak with vanilla and spice
Tannins: Low tannins
Cost: $10-$12 depending on your store
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Roasted Chicken with Scalloped or Mashed Potatoes
- Bone-in or Boneless Pork Chops
- Grilled Chicken Thighs
- Teriyaki Chicken and/or Salmon
- Sausage and Peppers
- Creamy Pasta and Vodka Sauced Pastas
Carnivore Bourbon Barrel Aged - Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Body: Full body, and very smooth
Taste: A latte coffee, very ripe plum, vanilla, sweet berries
Tannins: Low tannins
Cost: $14-$17 depending on your store
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Steak
- Lamb
- Pasta Dishes: Bolognese, Pesto, Alfredo, Red Sauce and Meatballs, Lasagna
- Red and White Sauced Pizza
- Grilled Cheese with Cheddar Cheese
- Steak Fajitas
- Bbq or Balsamic Chicken Thighs
- Charcuterie Board with Cheddar, Pecorino and Parmesan Cheeses and Cured Meats
Robert Mondavi - Red Blend
Body: Full body
Taste: Blackberry flavors with spice and woodsy notes. Great smooth wine to have with friends and family.
Tannins: Low tannins
Cost: $12-$14 depending on your store
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Pizza - Margarita is the best with this one
- Mac & Cheese
- Lasagna
- Potato Gratin
- Ravioli or tortellini
- Steak
- Meatballs & spaghetti or a meatball parm sandwich
Noble Wines 337 - Cabernet Sauvignon
Body: Medium body
Taste: Black Cherry, oak and tobacco with woodsy notes
Tannins: Medium tannins
Cost: $10-$12 depending on your store
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Short Ribs
- Prime Rib
- Lamb Chops
- Veal Parm
- Pulled Pork or Jack Fruit (for a vegetarian option)
- Stroganoff Pasta with a lot of mushrooms
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
Noble Vines The ONE Black - Red Blend
Body: Full Body
Taste: Blackberry and very ripe cherries with slight peppercorn and oak flavors.
Tannins: Light Tannins
Cost: $10-$12 depending on your store
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Grilled Pork Chops
- Grilled Chicken Thighs
- Tuna Steak
- Swordfish
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash
Black Ink - Red Blend
Body: Medium body
Taste: Blackberry and oak and spice
Tannins: Light tannins
Cost: $10-$11 depending on your store
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Hamburgers
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- Grilled Chicken Thighs
- Steak and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Pizza
- Pork Fried Rice
- Red Sauced Pasta Dishes
- Chicken Parm
The Show - Red Blend
Body: Medium body
Taste: Blackberry, plum, vanilla
Tannins: Medium tannins
Cost: $10-$13 depending on the store
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Grilled Pork Chops
- Grilled Chicken Thighs
- Lamb
- Burgers & Hot Dogs
- BBQ!
- Chicken or Veal Parm
- Veggie Lasagna
- Butter Chicken
- Tikka Masala
Hierogram - Zinfandel
Body: Medium to full body
Taste: Earthy oak, spices, tobacco, black pepper
Tannins: Medium tannins
Cost: $14-$15 depending on your store
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Risotto
- Seafood Fra Diablo Pasta
- Pizza
- Pork Tenderloin
- Sausage and Peppers
- Roasted Duck
- Steak
- Ribs
Josh - Cabernet Sauvignon
Body: Medium to full body
Taste: Currant and blackberry with oak and spices
Tannins: Low tannins
Cost: $12-$14 depending on your store
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Meatloaf
- Lasagna
- Steak Tacos
- Chicken Milanese
- Veal Parm
- Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
- Teriyaki Marinated and Grilled Flank Steak
Joel Gott - Cabernet Sauvignon
Body: Medium body
Taste: Oak, currants and blackberries
Tannins: Medium tannins
Cost: $12-$14 depending on your store
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Meatloaf
- Steak
- Grilled Chicken Thighs
- Chicken Parm
- Meatballs
- Pork Tenderloin
- Pork Pho
- Pork/Steak Ramen
- Beef and Broccoli - Chinese Food Order
- Pork Dumplings
Ménage a trois - Cabernet Sauvignon
Body: Full body
Taste: Oak, spice, dark cherry, tobacco
Tannins: Medium tannins
Cost: $12-$14 depending on your store
Food Pairing Ideas:
- Steak
- Meatballs
- Bolognese pasta
- Pizza!
- Thai Pork Lettuce Wraps
- Sausage and Pepper Sandwich
- Eggplant Lasagna or Eggplant Parm