Apparently, the millennial generation likes wine... a lot.
According to a new study by the Wine Market Council, outlined in Wine Spectator, millennials were responsible for drinking 42% of the wine in the U.S. in 2015... more than any other generation.
But we as millennials also know that we don't have to dish out $80 for a 1997 Napa Valley Cabernet.
We recognize its value, of course, but we also realize that we can find flavors akin to luxury wines at a fraction of the cost.
Plus, when you're looking to get the best kind of drunk (aka, wine drunk), you don't want to spend your paycheck.
Here are some of our favorite wines to get wine drunk for super cheap.
Whites
1. Gruet Brut (Albuquerque, NM): $14
When you need a sparkling, don't just automatically reach for Andre... we're not in college anymore. Instead, grab a bottle of Gruet. It's an excellent value wine to drink with anything. Seriously, our wines professor once told us that the only drink that goes with any food is sparkling wine. We agree.
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If you want to feel really fancy, go for the splurge and grab the Gruet Rose. It's a sparkling wine that tastes a bit like strawberries and springtime.
2. Manta Sauvignon Blanc (Central Valley, Chile): $14
Guess what? Spring is right around the corner. That means we can cork up (or drink up) the remainder of our reds or put them away until the fall. It's time to start sipping some fruity, crisp wines with our windows open... because that totally counts as outdoor activities right?
We'll be sipping on Manta Sauvignon Blanc, a refreshing white wine from Chile. It's a simple wine with flavors like green apple and citrus with just a hint of grassiness.
3. Clos de Torribas Macabeo (Penedes, Spain): $15
When you want to drink wine, but still feel like you're being green, you need to discover Clos de Torribas. This winery was the first winery in Penedes to become both certified organic and certified in their biodynamic practices.
In terms of flavor, this wine has bright citrus flavors with a lingering flavors of banana or pineapple. Plus, you don't often see a Macabeo varietal, so how about picking this one up here? It'll get delivered right to your door. Drinking made easy.
4. Acrobat Pinot Gris (Western Oregon): $12
This white wine from the hills of Western Oregon is the perfect wine to pair with summer foods. It's crisp and refreshing enough to drink day or night. Plus, it's only $12.
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This wine has crisp flavors of citrus, apples, and pears, but has a rich mouthfeel. It also has a touch of sweetness or vanilla quality to it that makes this wine full rounded and delicious.
5. Pensfold Koonunga Hill Chardonnay (South Australia): $11
It's not too often that you find a very cheap chardonnay that can compete with the expensive. It's also uncommon to find a good chardonnay in the United States that hasn't been aged in oak. It's from the hills of South Australia, which can be incredibly hot in the summers, but cold and wet in the winters.
This chardonnay from Australia has been aged in steel, giving it a peachy, fresh flavor that lacks the buttery flavors we're used to. However, if you're looking for an incredible dry white wine, this is the wine to pick up.
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Reds
6. Woop Woop Shiraz (McClaren Vale, Australia): $12
Have you ever heard of a French Syrah? Well, this is the same grape, but grown down under.
As you can imagine, the terroir (what wine-o's call the conditions that affect the grape, including weather, soil, etc.) of Australia is very different than France, imparting a different flavor.
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This wine is spectacular considering the price. It's full bodied, dry, with black fruits and just a bit of spice.
7. Lurra Garnacha (Navarra, Spain): $14
You know, sometimes we really envy the Spanish. They have killer food, alcohol, siestas, and fiestas. We'd totally like a couple glasses of Lurra Garnacha right about now before a seriously long siesta (or nap).
Though we're used to red wines that are aged in barrels, like a Napa Valley Cab, this red was aged in stainless steel in order to maintain the flavors imparted onto the grapes from the lurra (or terroir in Basque). You'll be getting a wine with ripe fruits, with an earthy spiciness.
8. Castle Rock Mendocino Pinot Noir (Mendocino, California): $12
Have you ever had a Pinot Noir? Probably not, it's not a very common red, but it should be. If you're solely a red wine drinker and hate the summer months when you can't sip on your favorite Zinfandel or Cabernet, you should discover Pinot Noir.
The Castle Rock Mendocino Pinot Noir has the perfect amount of acidity to it to be refreshing and tart, yet enough sweetness from the flavor of the black fruits to for balance.
9. Ravenswood Vitner's Blend (California): $8
Did you know that California law states that in order for a wine to be deemed a specific varietal, for example, a Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine must have been grown from 75% or more of that specific varietal? If not, they come up with terms like Vitner's Blend or Vitner's Choice.
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However, these blends allow the winemakers to choose specific characteristics from grapes grown all over the state. This wine is full bodied, but almost a bit lighter than the Ravenswood Zinfandel. Still, it's an excellent wine, even without taking the price into consideration.
10. Perlita Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina): $13
So there's this winemaking family that moved across the pond from France to Argentina, and began growing both Syrah and Malbec. In case you haven't caught on with the Malbec trend, it used to be a filler wine to add some intense body to a blend but recently became popular to drink on its own.
When you mix a wine with 80% Malbec and 20% Syrah, you're going to get a rich, full bodied wine from the Malbec that is toned down by the smoothness of the Syrah grape. Want to get it delivered to your door? Check it out here on Glassful.
Check out 8 Reasons Why Wine Drunk Is the Best Drunk. Ever.
[Feature Image Courtesy StandardMarket.com]