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Grocery store wines aren’t known for quality, but we’ve found 10 that turns that trope on its head. Find the reds, whites, and rosés you need to try.

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For most of us, our experience of grocery store wines ranges from cheap and cheerful to downright nasty. However, hidden in between all the mass-produced and poor-quality plonk are a few gems you simply must try.

The ten wines we’ve rounded up are unbelievably good. So much so that sommeliers and others in the know are happy to recommend them. Their quality and pricing make them an absolute steal. 

1. Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

Serious wine lovers tend to run a mile when they see a bottle of supermarket Cabernet Sauvignon, and for a good reason. The stuff that makes it into grocery stores is usually a sad attempt at what a good Cabernet Sauvignon should be. You can confidently reach for that bottle of Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon because you know it’s going to be good.

The wine is bold, juicy, and bursting with blackberry pie, cinnamon, and toasted hazelnut flavors. You’ll also pick up hints of toasted oak and vanilla. If you want to pair it with food, opt for beef, lamb, or pork, or a gooey chocolatey dessert.

2. Angeline Pinot Noir

Angeline Vineyards’ Pinot Noir should set you back less than $20, but instead of the non-descript stuff that’s usually found in budget-friendly bottles, you’re getting a great quaffing wine. Angeline’s is one of the few cheaper Pinot Noir that tastes the way it should.

The winemaker uses Pinot Noir grapes grown in California. Rather than limiting themselves to only one area, they source grapes grown in the Central Coast AVA, the Northern Coast, and elsewhere. The result is a juicy, round palate with vibrant acidity and hints of sweet toasted oak. You’ll pick up cranberry, raspberry, maraschino cherry, and orange zest flavors that pair well with salmon, chicken, beef bourguignon, game birds, and pasta. 

3. Casillero del Diablo Concha y Toro Merlot

Although the Merlot is being highlighted here, any of the wines on Casillero del Diablo’s Reserva list offer great value for money. However, the Chilean winery’s Merlot is decidedly drinkable. 

The aromas include red berries, dark plums, chocolate, spice, vanilla, and smoke. The rich, velvety wine is an excellent companion to red meat, pasta, risotto, and Mexican food. The winery’s Carmenere also deserves an honorable mention. It’s smooth, delicate, and enjoyable when served with aged cheeses.

4. Cline Cashmere

Cline Cellars’ Cashmere Red is one of the smoothest red blends you’ll find in a grocery store. The wine is made from a blend of Mourvedre, Syrah, and Grenache grapes, which means you’ll pick up flavors of blueberry, cherry, and chocolate, with hints of spice and black pepper. 

Cashmere Red is great for drinking on its own, but it will pair beautifully with a robust seafood dish such as paella.

5. Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages

Medium-bodied, fresh and juicy, Louis Jadot’s Beaujolais-Villages is consistently good. You can pick up a bottle for about $10, which is an unbelievable bargain for this wine that’s known for its fruity strawberry, black cherry, and spice flavors.

Beaujolais-Villages is made from Gamay grapes grown in the southern part of Beaujolais, France. If you want to show off your wine knowledge, pairing it with poultry or mild cheeses would be ideal.

6. Château des Annibals Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosé

Château des Annibals Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosé Suivez-moi-jeune-homme is made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Rolle. The result is a near-archetypal Provence rosé with a copper-salmon pink color and a bouquet that includes notes of lime, mint, and raspberry.

The palate is fresh and unusually rich for a rosé. You’ll pick up flavors of red berries, strawberries, blueberries, and an incredible minerality. A good warm-weather wine, it complements pork, shellfish, and vegetarian food.

7. Starborough Sauvignon Blanc

Starborough’s Sauvignon Blanc is an unoaked dry white wine made from grapes grown in New Zealand’s Marlborough region. It’s citrusy, crisp, fragrant, and zesty. 

Along with the citrus flavors, you’ll notice hints of guava, kiwi fruit, and passion fruit. The wine could almost be described as summer in a bottle, and it is a wonderful companion to flavorful vegetable dishes and fresh salads.

8. Charles Smith Wine Eve Chardonnay

Produced in Washington State, Charles Smith Wines’ Eve Chardonnay is crisp, fresh, fruity, and leaves you wanting more. Like most award-winning wines, it has a delightfully flavorsome palate. You’ll taste lemon curd, Asian pears, and Honey Crisp apple.

This chardonnay holds up well to more robust flavors, so don’t feel you need to pair it with delicate vegetables. Instead, pair it with grilled halibut, pineapple salsa, and garlic fries. The winery’s Kung Fu Girl Riesling is another award winner, and it also deserves an honorable mention. It’s dry yet fresh, and it’s packed with flavors of apricot, mandarin orange, and white peach.

9. Pacific Rim Gewurztraminer 

Pacific Rim’s Gewurztraminer is unoaked, crisp, and strikes a pleasing balance between dry and sweet. The incredible aromas are thanks to the grape juice and skins being brought into contact during production. That process happens before the juice is fermented at cold temperatures for 20 days. 

You’ll pick up flavors such as lychee, tangerine, and melon. The wine is delicious on its own, and it pairs perfectly with lemon chicken dishes, Indian food, and blue cheese.

10. Chateau Ste. Michelle Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut

Produced in Washington’s Columbia Valley, sparkling Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut is made using the Champagne method. It’s crisp and dry, with persistent bubbles, flavors of lemon, and other citrus and green apple hints. 

The sparkling wine is versatile enough to serve with a wide variety of dishes. It’s particularly good with salty, savory foods such as chips, seasoned crackers, and popcorn. If you want to take things up a notch, pair it with sushi or sashimi.  

Must-Haves For Your Collection

Keep a lookout for these wines when you visit your local grocery stores. If you see them, be sure to snap them up. They’re easy on the pocket, but they cannot be described as cheap. Your wine collection or home bar will be all the better for having them in it.