Five wines under 15 euros to get you through September’s budget squeeze, from Rioja reds to Rías Baixas whites

September arrives with the familiar post-holiday squeeze: money has been spent, new expenses are piling up, and households, especially those with children, are looking for places to cut back. Wine often ends up on that list, alongside plans to go out less and rely on bottles already at home.

That, the article argues, is an unnecessary sacrifice. It offers five bottles costing less than 15 euros, describing them as affordable enough for any wine lover while insisting that the low price does not mean low quality.

The selection begins in Rioja with Bideona’s Viura de Cabezadas 2024, priced at 9.25 euros. The white is described as acidic, saline and versatile. Bideona, a new-generation winery in the classic region, is praised for approachable reds and more structured, austere whites, with its entry-level range singled out for its value.

Alvar de Dios’s Tío Uco 2023, from Castilla y León, costs 11 euros. Made with tempranillo in Zamora, it is presented as a fresh, slender red that differs sharply from wines associated with neighboring Toro. France follows with Domaine de Majas Rouge 2024, a 13.50-euro Mediterranean blend of syrah and garnacha. The article uses it to challenge the idea that affordable quality belongs only to Spanish wine, calling the bottle exceptionally fresh and easy to drink.

Italy contributes Massolino’s Dolcetto d’Alba 2022 at 14.80 euros. The Piedmont red is described as tannic, acidic, flavorful and elegant, offering controlled power at a contained price. The supplied article ends while introducing the fifth recommendation.