From cool fall evenings and football gatherings to Thanksgiving dinner, holiday parties and New Year’s celebrations, this is the time of year when it pays to have a few dependable bottles of wine on hand.
Fortunately, a good bottle does not have to cost $40 or $50.
For this 2026 seasonal guide, we reviewed current professional ratings, tasting reports, pricing and overall value to identify 10 wines generally available for $25 or less that can carry you from the first days of fall right through the year-end holidays.
The goal was not simply to find inexpensive wine—or to assemble a list based solely on numerical scores. We wanted wines that actually make sense for the season.
That means bottles for casual fall dinners, football weekends and Halloween get-togethers, along with wines that can handle turkey and all the trimmings at Thanksgiving, richer winter meals, Christmas gatherings and a sparkling toast as the year comes to a close.
A Note About Our Selections
This is a researched buying guide rather than a personal tasting diary. The flavor descriptions and characteristics below are based on current professional reviews and producer information. Prices, vintages and availability can vary by retailer and location, so consider the prices approximate rather than guaranteed.
With that in mind, here are 10 wines worth looking for under $25 for fall and the 2026 holiday season.
The List at a Glance
| Wine | Style | Approx. Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gruet Brut | Sparkling | $15–$20 | Parties, appetizers, Thanksgiving and New Year’s |
| Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages | Light red | About $16 | Turkey, ham and Thanksgiving |
| Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon | Full-bodied red | $12–$18 | Beef, roasts and hearty winter meals |
| La Crema Monterey Chardonnay | Chardonnay | About $20 | Turkey, seafood and creamy dishes |
| Benziger Sauvignon Blanc | Sauvignon Blanc | About $16 | Seafood, appetizers and lighter fare |
| Trapiche Medalla Malbec | Malbec | About $20 | Chili, beef, steaks and cool-weather meals |
| Cline Ancient Vines Red Blend | Red blend | About $16 | Football, pizza and casual fall parties |
| Dr. L Riesling | Riesling | $14–$18 | Ham, spicy foods and mixed holiday tables |
| Aquinas North Coast Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | About $18 | Turkey, salmon and autumn dinners |
| Edna Valley Vineyard Pinot Grigio | Pinot Grigio | About $14 | Appetizers, seafood and easy entertaining |
1. Gruet Brut
Sparkling Wine — United States
Expected Price: $15–$20
You don’t need Champagne prices to put a good bottle of sparkling wine on the table.
Gruet has developed a strong reputation for producing traditional-method American sparkling wines at remarkably approachable prices. Wine Enthusiast currently lists Gruet Brut at about $19 and awarded it 89 points.
Made primarily from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, professional tasting descriptions point toward apple, citrus and mineral characteristics with a creamy texture.
Why It Works This Season
Sparkling wine is one of the most useful bottles you can keep around from fall through New Year’s.
Open it with appetizers during a football gathering. Serve it before Thanksgiving dinner. Put it alongside salty snacks at a holiday party. Or save a few bottles for midnight on New Year’s Eve.
At roughly $15 to $20, Gruet is also affordable enough that opening another bottle for a crowd doesn’t feel extravagant.
Pairs well with: Cheese boards, smoked salmon, oysters, fried appetizers, brunch foods and salty snacks.
Best seasonal role: Fall parties, Thanksgiving appetizers and New Year’s celebrations
2. Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages
Gamay — Beaujolais, France
Expected Price: About $16
If you want one red wine capable of navigating a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, Beaujolais deserves a place near the top of the list.
Louis Jadot’s 2024 Beaujolais-Villages received 91 points and a Best Buy designation from Wine Enthusiast at a listed price of approximately $16.
Professional tasting notes describe red cherry and cranberry flavors along with plum and subtle earthy characteristics.
Because Gamay is generally lighter and less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon, it is especially well suited to foods that can get overwhelmed by a powerful red.
Why It Works This Season
Thanksgiving presents a wine-pairing challenge.
Turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and vegetables may all appear on the same plate. A huge red can dominate the turkey, while some delicate whites disappear beneath the richer side dishes.
Beaujolais lives comfortably in the middle.
It is also an excellent choice for guests who enjoy red wine but don’t necessarily want something heavy.
Pairs well with: Turkey, ham, roast chicken, stuffing, mushrooms and charcuterie.
Best seasonal role: The Thanksgiving red
3. Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon — California
Expected Price: $12–$18
Sometimes the right bottle isn’t an obscure wine discovery. It’s a dependable Cabernet that is relatively easy to find and tastes at home beside a hearty meal.
Josh Cellars’ standard Cabernet Sauvignon typically falls well below our $25 ceiling.
Wine Enthusiast awarded the 2022 Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 90 points and a Best Buy designation, describing dark berry flavors accompanied by spice, vanilla, mocha and approachable tannins.
The vintage available at your local retailer may differ, so check the bottle when shopping.
Why It Works This Season
As temperatures fall, menus tend to get richer.
Roast beef, steaks, braised meats, lamb and aged cheeses give Cabernet Sauvignon a chance to do what it does best.
Josh also benefits from relatively broad distribution, which makes it one of the easier wines on our list to locate.
Pairs well with: Roast beef, prime rib, steak, lamb, pork and aged cheeses.
Best seasonal role: The hearty-meal Cabernet
4. La Crema Monterey Chardonnay
Chardonnay — Monterey, California
Expected Price: About $20
Chardonnay remains one of America’s most familiar white wines, and having a reliable bottle on hand during the holidays is rarely a bad strategy.
The 2024 La Crema Monterey Chardonnay received 90 points and a Best Buy designation from Wine Enthusiast at a listed price of about $20.
Professional notes emphasize citrus and apple aromas with Meyer lemon and nectarine on the palate.
That balance is important. Some Chardonnays can become so heavily oaked and buttery that they overwhelm lighter foods. This bottling offers richness while retaining enough freshness to work at the table.
Why It Works This Season
Chardonnay can cover a surprising amount of territory.
It works with poultry, seafood and creamy sauces while giving guests who prefer a fuller-bodied white an alternative to Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
It can be just as comfortable beside a fall chicken dinner as it is at Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Pairs well with: Turkey, chicken, salmon, crab cakes, lobster, creamy pasta and soft cheeses.
Best seasonal role: The versatile richer white
5. Benziger Family Winery Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc — California
Expected Price: About $16
Fall and holiday meals can become rich very quickly. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc provides a refreshing counterpoint.
Wine Enthusiast’s review of the 2025 Benziger Sauvignon Blanc awarded it 90 points and a Best Buy designation at a listed price of about $16.
Its professional tasting notes include fresh herbs, melon, white peach, grapefruit, lemon and pear.
Why It Works This Season
This is the bottle to reach for when seafood, vegetables, lighter appetizers or fresh cheeses are involved.
It can also be particularly welcome during a long holiday gathering when guests want something lively and refreshing rather than another heavy wine.
Pairs well with: Shrimp, oysters, goat cheese, salads, vegetables and lighter fish dishes.
Best seasonal role: The crisp refresher
6. Trapiche Medalla Malbec
Malbec — Mendoza, Argentina
Expected Price: About $20
Few wine-producing countries have done more to establish Malbec as a value-oriented red than Argentina.
The 2023 Trapiche Medalla Malbec received 91 points and a Best Buy designation from Wine Enthusiast, with a listed price around $20.
Professional tasting notes describe crushed berries, wild berry flavors, peppercorn, lively acidity and approachable tannins.
Why It Works This Season
This may be one of the best bottles on the list for the stretch between late September and Thanksgiving.
Think chili simmering on the stove. Burgers during a football game. Steak off the grill on one of the last warm evenings of the year. Beef stew or roast as cooler weather arrives.
Malbec brings enough structure to handle substantial food without necessarily becoming overly heavy.
Pairs well with: Chili, burgers, steak, roast beef, short ribs, lamb and hard cheeses.
Best seasonal role: The cool-weather dinner wine
7. Cline Ancient Vines Red Blend
Red Blend — California
Expected Price: About $16
Not every bottle needs to be reserved for a formal dinner.
The 2023 Cline Ancient Vines Red Blend combines varieties including Zinfandel, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Alicante Bouschet from California.
VinePair included it among its best red blends under $25 for 2026, assigning it 92 points and an average price of approximately $16.
Its professional tasting description emphasizes ripe blackberry and raspberry fruit along with vanilla and spice.
Why It Works This Season
This is perhaps the most natural fall entertaining wine on our list.
Open it with pizza during a football game. Put it out with burgers or barbecue. Serve it with hearty appetizers at a Halloween gathering.
It is relaxed, versatile and inexpensive enough for occasions when you may need several bottles.
Pairs well with: Pizza, barbecue, burgers, sausages, ribs, hearty appetizers and aged cheeses.
Best seasonal role: Football, Halloween and casual fall parties
8. Dr. L Riesling
Riesling — Mosel, Germany
Expected Price: $14–$18
Riesling may be one of the most useful wines on a holiday table—and one of the most overlooked.
The 2024 Dr. L Riesling from Dr. Loosen received an 89-point rating from Ken’s Wine Guide, at a reported price around $14.
Professional notes describe citrus, apple and tropical-fruit characteristics with a pleasantly sweet finish.
Why It Works This Season
A touch of sweetness combined with good acidity can be enormously useful when the food itself includes sweet, salty or spicy components.
Think glazed ham, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, spicy appetizers and Asian-inspired dishes.
Those are situations where a dry, tannic red may struggle but Riesling can shine.
It is also generally lower in alcohol than many big reds, which can be welcome during a long afternoon or evening of entertaining.
Pairs well with: Glazed ham, spicy foods, pork, crab, Asian dishes and sweet-and-savory sides.
Best seasonal role: The holiday-table secret weapon
9. Aquinas North Coast Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir — California North Coast
Expected Price: About $18
Pinot Noir possesses many of the characteristics that make a red wine especially useful during fall: bright fruit, acidity, moderate body and relatively restrained tannins.
The 2023 Aquinas North Coast Pinot Noir received 90 points and a Best Buy designation from Wine Enthusiast at a listed price of about $18.
Professional notes include strawberry, raspberry, darker berries, orange peel, herbs and oak.
Why It Works This Season
Pinot Noir occupies a useful middle ground.
It’s substantial enough for people who want red wine, yet light enough to accompany turkey, salmon, mushrooms and roasted vegetables.
That makes it an excellent choice for autumn dinners and Thanksgiving alike.
Pairs well with: Turkey, duck, salmon, mushrooms, pork and roasted vegetables.
Best seasonal role: The flexible fall-and-Thanksgiving red
10. Edna Valley Vineyard Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio — California
Expected Price: About $14
The last bottle on our list is intentionally straightforward.
Sometimes what you need is simply an affordable, crisp white wine you can chill and have ready when guests arrive.
The 2025 Edna Valley Vineyard Pinot Grigio received 90 points and a Best Buy designation from Wine Enthusiast at a listed price of about $14.
Professional tasting notes describe stone fruit, white flowers, minerals, apple, pear and citrus.
Why It Works This Season
Pinot Grigio doesn’t try to dominate the meal.
That’s precisely what makes it useful.
Serve it with appetizers at a fall get-together, put it alongside seafood, or simply have a chilled bottle available for guests who prefer a lighter white.
At approximately $14, it is also one of the least expensive choices on this list.
Pairs well with: Shrimp cocktail, crab, fish, salads, antipasti and mild cheeses.
Best seasonal role: The easygoing entertaining white
Building a Fall Wine Rack Without Overspending
You don’t necessarily need all 10 bottles at once.
One practical approach is to keep several different styles available as the season progresses.
For Casual Fall Entertaining
Consider:
Cline Ancient Vines Red Blend for pizza, barbecue and football gatherings.
Trapiche Medalla Malbec for chili, burgers and hearty dinners.
Edna Valley Pinot Grigio for lighter appetizers and guests who prefer white wine.
For Thanksgiving
Consider:
Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages for turkey and the traditional Thanksgiving plate.
La Crema Chardonnay for poultry and richer side dishes.
Dr. L Riesling for ham, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and foods with a little spice.
For December and New Year’s
Consider:
Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon for roast beef and winter dinners.
Gruet Brut for parties, appetizers and New Year’s Eve.
That gives you a surprisingly versatile seasonal wine lineup without requiring a cellar—or a cellar-sized budget.
If You Only Want Three Bottles
Standing in the wine aisle and don’t want to buy ten?
Start here:
Gruet Brut
For appetizers, parties and celebrations.
Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages
For Thanksgiving, turkey and lighter fall meals.
Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
For beef, roasts and guests who prefer a fuller red.
If you want a fourth bottle, add La Crema Chardonnay for white-wine drinkers.
If ham, spicy foods or a particularly varied Thanksgiving menu are involved, add Dr. L Riesling instead.
A Few Things to Remember When Buying Wine Under $25
Higher Price Does Not Automatically Mean Better Wine
Wine prices reflect much more than what eventually ends up in your glass.
Land costs, production volumes, barrels, aging, packaging, distribution, marketing, scarcity and brand recognition can all affect price.
A $17 bottle isn’t automatically inferior to a $37 bottle.
Check the Vintage
Wine reviews generally apply to a particular vintage.
The bottle at your local store might be one year older or newer than the wine evaluated by a professional reviewer.
That doesn’t necessarily make it better or worse. It simply means you should pay attention to which vintage you’re buying when relying heavily on a specific review.
Shop Around
Wine prices can vary considerably.
A bottle selling for $17 at one retailer might be $21 somewhere else—or $14 during a promotion.
Fall and holiday case discounts can make a meaningful difference if you’re buying several bottles.
Buy for the Food—and the People
The most impressive numerical rating isn’t automatically the best wine for your dinner.
If your guests prefer lighter reds, buying a massive Cabernet simply because it received a high score doesn’t accomplish much.
Likewise, a $15 wine that complements the food and disappears happily from everyone’s glasses may be a much better purchase.
The best bottle for a gathering is ultimately one people enjoy drinking.
Good Wine Doesn’t Require a Holiday Splurge
One of the pleasures of wine is discovering how much quality exists outside the prestige end of the market.
Our 2026 selections travel from American sparkling wine and California Cabernet to French Beaujolais, German Riesling and Argentine Malbec.
Several have received 90-point-or-better professional reviews while remaining around $20 or less.
That matters when you’re pouring wine for more than two people.
And it matters even more during a season that can stretch from football gatherings and Halloween parties through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Spend where spending matters to you.
Save where saving makes sense.
And don’t dismiss a bottle simply because its price tag isn’t impressive.
Sometimes one of the best values at the gathering is already sitting in the wine glass.
Here’s to good food, good wine and a brighter fall and holiday season.
Prices, vintages and availability were researched in September 2026 and may change. Wine availability and alcoholic-beverage sales vary by retailer and state. Please enjoy responsibly.
