Wine Week: Affordable Wines

We all know that wine drinking can be very expensive! Just ask my husband - he jokes that his entertainment budget tripled when we started dating as I tend to like expensive wines ... not the Bud Light he was accustomed to paying for! However, you don't have to fall prey to this trap. There are TONS of great wines that are very, very affordable.

The first, general piece of advice we can give is to look for wines from lesser known regions. There's no reason to stick to French wines, Napa Valley Chardonnay or Oregon Pinot. Look for wines from Argentina, South Africa and Greece. There are tons of great wines available and they don't all come from the uber trendy regions (along with the uber trendy price tag).

Here are some of our favorite, affordable wines. These are great for parties and for sipping at home.

Sparkling Wine
We really like the Veuve du Vernay. It's a great sparkling wine that stands on its own (or makes a great champagne cocktail) and it's less than $10 per bottle! The Cavas Hill Cava is also excellent. It's about $15 per bottle and very, very drinkable (you should probably get a few!)

Sauvignon Blanc
We have found the Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc is nice and citrusy. Perfect for an outdoor, warm event - like the beach!! About $13 per bottle.

Chardonnay
You can't beat the Mad Housewife Chardonnay. It's fruity and slightly oaky. And it's $6-$7 per bottle. WEEEE!!

Pinot Noir
We've got a soft spot for the Hob Nob Pinot Noir - it's really smooth so it's a great wine for drinking on its own and pairs well with a meal. You can find it for about $13-$15 per bottle, too.

Cabernet Sauvignon
Again, we have to say that we like the Mad Housewife Cab ... especially for it's price. It's a silky cabernet with a nice cherry, mocha flavor. Give it a whirl. Great for drinking and cooking! Less than $7 per bottle.

Looking for more options? Check out these featured on the TODAY Show. Oh, and check out Trader Joe's if you have a chance - they have a fantastic selection of affordable wines.

Sure, we all have the occasion to celebrate with something special, but even I have gotten my expensive wine habit under control!