Top 100 Best Buys 2016 | Wine Enthusiast
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Top 100 Best Buys 2016

Though the wine world has lost much of its perceived pretension, there’s still plenty of pomp and circumstance surrounding certain selections. Incredible opportunities to taste the most exclusive and expensive wines in the world exist, but still, the number one question all wine lovers obsess over remains, “What the heck do I drink on a Tuesday night?”

To those thirsty readers, we say welcome to Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Best Buys of 2016. We’ve selected our favorite budget-friendly gems from 17 countries and more than 30 grape varieties to create the most diverse, exciting and accessible shopping list around. For those new to wine or simply looking to step out of their comfort zone, this list can provide guidance for exploring different wine styles, varieties or regions without breaking the bank.

For a wine to qualify, it must be priced at $15 or less and meet a certain quality-to-price ratio. Of the more than 21,000 wines reviewed this past year, fewer than 1,400 were awarded the Best Buy designation. From there, we narrowed it down to an elite list of the top 100, including the most enticing, buzzworthy, obtainable and, most important, affordable wines available today.

For wine lovers who refuse to compromise on quality, no matter the occasion, this list is for you.


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