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Top 100 Best Buys 2017

As the year winds down and we prepare for the joy of the holidays, the occasional stress of hosting gatherings and the seemingly endless parade of thirsty guests seems to creep in as well. On top of that are all the other parties and get-togethers to attend, and nothing’s worse than arriving empty-handed. Inevitably, this is the time of year to stop buying wine by the bottle—and start buying by the case. Thankfully, our list of the Top 100 Best Buys makes holiday wine shopping a bit easier to swallow, without compromising quality. These are the bottles to stock up on now, perfect for any need or occasion.

This list highlights some of the most exciting and affordable wines we reviewed in 2017. All of our Best Buys—and there are many—are priced at $15 or less and must meet a high quality-to-price ratio. Culled from the more than 1,450 wines awarded the Best Buy designation this year, these are the 100 wines that rise above the rest.

As always, we’ve embraced diversity here. You’ll find selections hailing from 17 countries, and more than 35 different grape varieties. Moldova makes its debut appearance, though other traditional, high-quality winemaking regions, like Jumilla and the Willamette Valley, are also present.

For our savviest shoppers, this is the list you’ve been thirsting for.


What Is Blind Tasting?

All tastings reported in the Buying Guide are performed blind. Typically, products are tasted in peer-group flights of from 5-8 samples. Reviewers may know general information about a flight to provide context—vintage, variety or appellation—but never the producer or retail price of any given selection. When possible, products considered flawed or uncustomary are retasted.

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About The Scores

*Products deemed unacceptable (receving a rating below 80 points) are not reviewed.

98-100

Classic
The Pinnacle of quality

94-97

Superb
A great achievement

90-93

Excellent
Highly recommended

87-89

Very Good
Often good value; well recommended

83-86

Good
Suitable for everyday consumption, often good value

80-82

Acceptable
Can be employed