10 Winter Wines Under $10 (Food Pairings, Too!)

Its cold outside, and the days of sipping a nice pinot grigio on the patio with a warm breeze are still a few months away. Even though most of our time spent during the winter season is spent indoors, there’s something about a nice glass of wine next to the fire or curled up in  your favorite blanket that allows your stress just to melt away. 

The bleak months of January and February often call for comfort foods: rich, heavy, and delicious that just beg to be paired with a nice glass of wine. Some classic pairings would be a nice bold Cabernet Sauvignon with a hearty steak or a semi-sweet Reisling to pair with a warm spicy bowl of chicken curry. You can’t go wrong staying with food and wine combinations that are old school favorites, but where is the fun? Wine is meant to be enjoyed so experiment, mix it up, and drink what you like. You never know, you might just stumble across a new food and wine combination that warms you to the soul.  The wines best for the winter need to be bolder in flavor and more robust to complement the heartier dishes. 

As the wife of a former manager of wine sales for many years, I have gotten to know (and love) vino. One of the most important things I learned is that wine does not have to have a big price tag to be good. I have had some very pricey wine that was great, and some more affordable bottles that are as well. Here are some great winter wines, all with a price tag of under $10, along with dishes that the wine will pair well with. 

Folie a Deux – Ménage à Trois Silk  is rich with cherries and raspberries flavors, hints of toasty spice and rose petals. This one is a bit of a softer red blend, if you prefer that. Try pairing this wine with this Blueberry Barbeque Chicken.

We almost always have a bottle of this Cabernet on hand. 19 Crimes – Cabernet Sauvignon is full of flavor with lucious and rich fruit balanced by layers of vanilla oak. Enjoy a glass of this economical vino with some Beef Skewers with Red Peppercorn and Cherry Tomatoes.

Apothic – Winemaker’s Red California is medium bodied with spice,  and slightly sweet flavors of plum and blackberry jam. This red blend would pair well with these Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce. 

Columbia Crest – Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Estates is a bold cabernet that shows great complexity and structure. There are aromas of dark berry fruit and plum on the nose and chocolate and vanilla on the palate. This Washington state cabernet would pair nicely with these classic Braised Beef Short Ribs.

Italian’s know how to do wine. Ruffino Chianti  is a medium bodied red with flavors of black cherry and plum, along with hints of black pepper and spice. Try pairing it with this rich Triple-Decker Baked Italian Cheese Sandwich.

Don’t be afraid of this not so popular varietal. It’s a hidden gem in my book. Dark Horse – Petite Sirah delivers blueberry and blackberry flavors that grow in intensity driving home huge jammy notes of depth laced with smoke and subtle spices. Give this “teeth stainer” a spin with some Perfectly Roasted Pork.

Alias – Pinot Noir  is a lovely, ruby colored wine that provides delicious notes of raspberry and vanilla through the nose and creamy flavors of raspberry, black cherry and a touch of cola on the palate. Enjoy a glass of this pinot next to a simple but elegant serving of Salmon with Mushroom Sauce.

Little Black Dress – Merlot is a fun and value-driven option for this old world varietal. Just like the iconic little black dress, this wine is versatile, trustworthy, and reliable by delivering a smooth and rich mouthfeel of berry and vanilla. Slip into a glass of this merlot as you enjoy this Hearty Shepherd’s Pie.

While heavy reds are more popular during these months, if thats not your thing, try a Chardonnay, which tends to be more robust than other whites. Chateau Ste. Michelle – Chardonnay Columbia Valley is a good choice. It’s bright with apple and citrus, and subtle spice and oak. Pair with this Seared Scallop and Butternut Squash Puree

A nice sparkling wine is great too for celebrating Valentine’s Day.Try Poema Cava Brut Rose. It has dry, fruity citrus flavors with floral notes. Add some bubbles and you’ve got a perfect toast with your love. This one scored 94 points at the Ultimate Beverage Challenge! Try pairing with a Charcuterie Board complete with meats, cheeses, nuts, and dried fruits. 

Whatever your flavor or taste, I hope you enjoy these budget wine finds!


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Nicole Nickel
Hi, I’m Nicole! I’m a mommy to two young kids: Scarlet and Easton, and wife to Justin. We also have 2 furbaby Labs. I am an Oklahoma girl, born and raised. I’ve been here in Wichita since October 2016. Moving from my home of Norman has been tough, but what a great community to relocate! We love to get out explore the area, finding fun family activities! In addition to mom and wife, I am speech-language pathologist. Some of my favorite things-being an OK girl, I am a die-hard OU football fan (Boomer!), being outdoors, traveling, friends and family, wine and coffee!