The Best Wines $10 & Under in 2023

By Amy Reiley

$10 Wines You’ll Love

A delicious wine doesn’t have to break the bank. There are enjoyable wines to be found at every budget. In fact, inexpensive wines are sometimes the most approachable. True, they may not be the sort of wines to toast your anniversary or serve at an important business dinner. But there are interesting wines from reliable producers perfect for casual weeknight dinners, an impromptu brunch with friends or a fun backyard party.

GAYOT’s list of the Best Wines $10 & Under features varietals from around the world that help make the goal of enjoying an interesting bottle of wine an attainable one.

1. Bodegas Borsao, Rosé Selección

Origin: Aragon, Spain
Varietal: 100% Garnacha (Grenache)
Price: $10.00
ABV: 14%

Bodegas Borsao is located in the D.O. Campo de Borja in the Aragon region in Spain, nestled against the Pyrenees Mountains. Bodegas Borsao stretches over 5,425 acres belonging to some 375 vine-growers. The hillsides of the Moncayo range shelter the vineyards located between 1,000 and 2,400 feet of altitude, regulating cold, heat and moderating the effects of the North-west ‘Cierzo‘ wind. This region is historically and geographically conducive to growing Garnacha, which makes up 60% of the vineyards. Other varietals include, Syrah, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and minimal amounts of Mazuela, Macabeo and Chardonnay.

The wine shows a light salmon color with aromas of red berries, citrus and white flowers. Flavors of ripe berries and stone fruit unfold on the palate together with a hint of spice, all wrapped up in juicy acidity and finishing steady and clean.

> For more information, visit Bodegas Borsao official website.

Reviewed by Dirk Smits, GAYOT Wine & Spirits Editor

2. 2020 Hogue Riesling | Columbia Valley, Washington

Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Price: $10
ABV: 12.5%

This is a wine we would happily drink at most any meal, any time of year. However, it’s on GAYOT’s list of the best wines for barbecue because of its accessibility. Not only is it an easy wine to buy wherever you go but it’s an easy wine to enjoy, the way you would an icy Coke or tropical cocktail with a burger and potato salad.

Made in an off-dry style, it offers bright apple and melon aromas and flavors, with a nice thread of lime acidity.

> For more information, visit the Hogue official website.

3. 2020 Dark Horse Rosé | California, USA

2018 Dark Horse Rosé


Type: Grenache, Barbera, Pinot Grigio, Tempranillo, Zinfandel
Origin: California, USA
Price: $10
ABV: 13%

If you’re looking for an affordable wine to serve at your next barbecue, this Rosé will certainly fit the bill. It’s crisp, fresh and nicely balanced with attractive floral aromas and ripe white peach and pineapple flavors. There’s faint minerality on the finish. A simple wine with refreshing lemon acidity, it’s the kind of wine to please a crowd without breaking the bank.

> For more information, visit the Dark Horse official website.

4. Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut

Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut

Type: SPARKLING
Origin: Alt Penedés, Spain
Price: $9


This is a sparkling wine that could easily sell for twice the price. It’s a crisp, refreshing Cava with fresh baked bread and green apple aromas.

A good choice for brunch, it glides across the tongue with notes of crisp apple and lemon juice with a simple, clean finish.

> For more information, visit the García Carrión official website.

5. Château Ste. Michelle Riesling

Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling

Type: RIESLING
Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington
Price: $8


This Washington Riesling is made in an off-dry style, but it offers tinges of sweetness, not syrupy flavors. In fact, it’s surprisingly well-balanced for the price with lime tartness and ripe peach and pear fruit.

The fresh fruit flavors linger on the tongue for a lasting impression.

> For more information, visit the Chateau Ste. Michelle official website

6. Alamos Malbec

Alamos Malbec

Type: MALBEC
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Price: $9


This is without question the best red wine in this price range we’ve tried in a long time. It’s a fairly simple wine with very direct flavors of red plum and blackberry. But it is elegant and smooth with good acidity and great tannins.

This would be a welcome wine at any dinner table.

> For more information, visit the Alamos Wines official website.

7. Mirassou Sauvignon Blanc

Mirassou Sauvignon Blanc

Type: SAUVIGNON BLANC
Origin: California
Price: $9


Mirassou is a winery known for producing well-priced wines and with this Sauvignon Blanc, they don’t disappoint. The wine offers an enticing perfume of honeysuckle and guava.

It’s extremely bright, lively and fresh on the tongue with flavors of honeydew and pink grapefruit with a refreshing bite of lime juice on the finish.

> For more information, visit the Mirassou Winery official website.

8. Mouton Cadet Blanc

Mouton Cadet Blanc

Type: WHITE BLEND
Origin: Bordeaux, France
Price: $10


For a wine that typically retails between $8 and $10, this is a reliable French white blend. It’s made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and just a touch of Muscadelle.

It’s a fragrant wine, with citrus and floral notes. Its juicy flavors include grapefruit and white peach.

> For more information, visit the Mouton Cadet official website.

9. Jacob’s Creek Two Lands Pinot Grigio

Jacob's Creek Two Lands Pinot Grigio

Type: PINOT GRIGIO
Origin: Barossa Valley, Australia
Price: $10


The color of this Pinot Grigio is particularly striking — it pours a gold hue tinged with salmon pink.

Asian pear dominates on the aroma and flavor, with background notes of quince, red delicious apple and bright, fresh lemon on the finish.

> For more information, visit the Jacob’s Creek official website.

10. Maggio Old Vine Zinfandel

Maggio Old Vine Zinfandel

Type: ZINFANDEL
Origin: Lodi, California
Price: $10


To find an old vine Zinfandel for $10 is in itself remarkable, but to have one with this depth and balance of flavor is a true treat.

It’s easy drinking with flavors of mixed berry jam with a compelling hint of smoke on the finish. This would be a good choice for your next barbecue.

> For more information, visit the Oak Ridge Winery official website.

11. Terrapura Carménère

Terrapura Carménère

Type: CARMÉNÈRE
Origin: Santiago, Chile
Price: $10


If you’ve never tried a wine made from the Carménère grape, this single-vineyard bottling will make a great introduction.

It’s a masculine wine with woodsy aromas and flavors of cherry, orange oil and hints of red bell pepper.

> For more information, visit the Terrapura official website.

12. CK Mondavi Scarlet Five

CK Mondavi Scarlet Five

Type: RED BLEND
Origin: Napa Valley, California
Price: $8


As the name implies, this red is a blend of the five Bordeaux varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec.

Because it’s a blend, it is more complex than many bargain wines with layers of black cherry, blackberry and plum with caramel on the finish.

> For more information, visit the CK Mondavi official website.

13. Ménage à Trois Midnight

Ménage à Trois Midnight

Type: RED BLEND
Origin: St. Helena, California
Price: $10


With a sales pitch of, do you like to do it in the dark?, you know this is wine with a sultry profile.

A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot, it’s complex with musky and dark fruit aromas and black currant, blackberry and spice on the palate.

> For more information, visit the Ménage à Trois official website.