20 Best Affordable Wines Under $12—Bonus: They’re Easy to Get

As far as delicious and affordable wines go, there are a host of good options under, say, $20 or so, but get down closer to $10 and the list of reliable wine that I myself would enjoy drinking on a regular basis narrows considerably. The ones that make the cut—like Napa-based winemaker Sean Larkin’s first ever wine in a can—really stand out. (At exactly $12 per can, “Larkan” is my greatest find, and possibly the best wine in a can I’ve ever tried.)

So, if you’re on a budget, or if you’re looking to stash a case or two of a truly affordable bottle to pull out any time of day or night, this is a list of 20 very good wines that over-deliver in their price category.

1. 2016 Larkin “Larkan” Napa Valley Red Wine 375ml ($12)

Courtesy of Larkin Wines

This is quite possibly the world’s best wine in a can—at least the best that I have ever tasted. And at $12 per 375ml (half a bottle) it’s an unbelievable value. Winemaker Sean Larkin sourced high-quality Merlot grapes off a site along Dry Creek Road in Napa Valley to produce a deep and delicious red, bursting with ripe black fruit and sweet spices, a rich, creamy texture is balanced by chewy tannins, and the mid-palate floods with black and blue fruit giving way to a cocoa-dusted finish. Also look for his Larkan Napa Valley White Wine made with Sauvignon Blanc grapes from the famous Frediani Vineyard in Calistoga, CA. It delivers a bright mineral nose, creamy tropical fruit notes, with lots of energy and verve. A mere 2,500 cans are produced of each—seek these out.

2. 2016 Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio Trentino-Alto Adige Italy($12)

Courtesy of Tiefenbrunner

Not your ordinary Pinot Grigio! These grapes hail from vineyards planted in the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains in Trentino-Alto Adige. Vibrant and energetic bursting with candied ginger and Granny Smith apple, tinged with sweet spice, honeysuckle, and rounded out be exceptional acidity, marvelous minerality, and a spicy finish.

3. 2016 Ruffino “Lumina” Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie Italy ($8)

Courtesy of Ruffino Italian Wines

Pretty yellow floral notes give way to fresh wild herbs, fresh pear, quince and a flinty minerality. Serve this up with a fava bean and pecorino cheese salad, served on crusty bread.

4. 2016 Barone Fini Pinot Grigio Valdadige Trentino-Alto Adige Italy ($10-$11)

Courtesy of Barone Fini Wines

Green-gold in the glass. Yellow apples and white flowers tease the nose. The juicy palate is packed with fleshy apple and pear flavors, a creamy and round mouthfeel is bolstered by tart and bracing acidity. An exceptionally long and pleasant finish. I’m stacking this by the case this summer.

5. 2017 La Fiera Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie IGT Italy ($8)

Courtesy of La Fiera

Delightful candied peach aromas, a creamy, soft and round presence in the mouth, with a fresh-fruit finish.

6. 2016 Famille Perrin Ventoux La Vielle Ferme Rouge Rhone France ($8)

Courtesy of Famille Perrin

A medium-bodied Rhône red, bursting with black and red berry fruit, earthy undertones, good acidity and sturdy tannins. A little barbecue chicken off the grill will marry nicely with a glass of this.

7. 2015 3 Badge Enology “Leese-Fitch” Pinot Noir California ($8)

© Megan Steffen, Untapped Media

Deep ruby color gives way to a smoky nose, with hints of cocoa powder and cinnamon. Dark chocolate covered cherries, and cherry liquor, smoky, bacon fat, spicy herbs. A real brooding Pinot with a smoky vanilla-tinged finish.

8. 2017 Ah-So Rose Navarra Spain ($5-$6 per 250ml can)

Courtesy of Ah-So Wines

The color of an electric pink flamingo, candied white peaches and watermelon aromas, tart red berry flavors upfront mingle with a lush core of tropical fruits. Refreshing and lively. Pop and enjoy all summer long.

9. 2017 Gato Negro Chardonnay Chile ($5)

Courtesy of Gato Negro

Simple and refreshing with tropical fruit, bright jasmine florals, zippy acid and a round mouthfeel. Serve it good an chilled.

10. 2016 CK Mondavi Family Sauvignon Blanc California ($7)

Courtesy of CK Mondavi

Tropical fruit notes mingling with lime zest and a salty minerality. A perfect wine to drink super-chilled by the pool. Also would be great for chilled white sangria or fancy wine-inspired cocktails.

11. 2016 CK Mondavi Family California Cabernet Sauvignon ($7)

Courtesy of CK Mondavi

Bright and fresh aromas of red berries, wild herbs, and mocha. “Rich & Velvety” just as the label says, with ample red berry spice and nuanced pops of sweet oak.

12. 2016 Fetzer Echo Ridge Sauvignon Blanc California ($8)

Courtesy of Fetzer Wines

Guava and passion fruit nose Bright and fresh hinting at citrus and Granny Smith apple tinged with white peach give a good chill.

13. 2016 Fetzer Valley Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon California ($8)

Courtesy of Fetzer Wines

Raspberries, mint and cocoa notes on the nose and palate giving way to creamy mouthfeel and spicy finish tinged with dried wild herbs.

14. 2017 Band of Roses Rosé — Charles Smith ($11)

Courtesy of Charles Smith Wines

One of the latest from renegade Washington state-based winemaker Charles Smith, and positively bursting on the rosé scene with aplomb—sporting a light pink color, vibrant red berry fruit and florals, silky on the palate with layers of tropical fruit and spice.

15. 2016 Joel Gott Wines Sauvignon Blanc California ($9)

Courtesy of Joel Gott Wines

Clean and bright, with lemon-lime citrus, grapefruit zest and a steely and crisp-acid finish. With a screw-cap top, this is my go-to aperitif while chopping vegetables for a salad or while I’m shucking corn for the grill.

16. 2016 Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages Burgundy France ($12)

Courtesy of Maison Louis Jadot

A pretty white burgundy with lime citrus aromas, hints of lemon peel and mineral, crisp and clean and teeming with fresh tropical fruits like white peach, melon, along with overripe Fuji apple. Serve this with younger Manchego cheese or oysters.

17. 2016 Edna Valley Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Central Coast California ($11)

Courtesy of Edna Valley Vineyard

A terrific California Central Coast Sauvignon Blanc that shows pale lemon with emerald hues in the glass and reveals fresh cut grass, tart lime-citrus notes, zippy acidity, and a fun, spicy jalapeño finish. Pair this with a salad of snap peas, fava, soft leafy greens, pea tendrils and a nice mustard-vinaigrette.

18. 2016 Bodega Amalaya Salta Argentina ($12)

Courtesy of Bodega Amalaya

Sweet red fruit aromas tinged with new wood cedar and warm earth yield to sumptuous black fruit flavors, blueberry compote, rose petals, and generous mouth-drying tannins. This calls for nicely-salted braised red meats or burgers.

19. 2016 The Seeker Pinot Noir IGP Puy-de-Dome France ($11)

Courtesy of The Seeker Wines

Light ruby color, candied red berries on the nose, a bit of earth, sweet red berry fruit, blood orange spice with good tannin texture. Serve with a good chill.

20. 2017 Amble + Chase Rose Provence France ($5 per 250ml can)

Courtesy of The Winebow Group

Another awesome canned wine you can buy in individual serving sizes. This blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault is a light salmon pink in color with pretty tart cherry notes, raspberry, and bursts with more tropical fruit tinged with Mediterranean ocean breezes.