More and more consumers are realizing that wine doesn’t have to be expensive to be good, allowing one-stop shops such as Target and Walmart to enter the game. Aside from convenience, the big stores have the power to buy large quantities at a discount and pass the savings on to their customers. As a professional wine judge and Cheapism’s resident wine expert, I tasted house wines from Target and Walmart to see how they stack up and ranked them based on quality using a 3-star system, with 3 stars being the highest mark.
In general, the Target wines sold for the lowest prices, often less than half the cost of Walmart wines of similar quality. In turn, the Walmart wines scored slightly higher across the board. When it comes down to it, both stores offer a lot of value for the price tag, with solid wines at cheap prices. Here are my tasting notes and top picks for white, rosé, red, and sparkling wine.
Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.
Related: 27 Surprisingly Good Costco, Walmart, and Target Products
White: California Roots Chardonnay
$5 at Target Shop Now
Rating: 3 out of 3 stars The aromas are light but very clean and fresh. A nice pop of acidity hits the palate and turns into juicy citrus fruit with some tropical undertones. The flavors are bright and juicy without tilting into sweet. This is a lovely sipping wine.
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White: California Roots Moscato
$5 at Target Shop Now
Rating: 3 stars Peachy on the nose, this wine has light and juicy aromas. Gently sweet with a touch of effervescence, it’s balanced with tartness so that each sip finishes dry. Tasty and true to the style, this is an easy wine to enjoy.
Related: Not Just Napa: 30 American Wineries With Good, Cheap Wine
White: Wine Cube Sauvignon Blanc
$18 for a 3-liter box at Target Shop Now
Rating: 2 stars With almost no aromatics, this wine is all about being crisp and refreshing without any boldness. Subtle tart green fruit and chalky mineral flavors keep the profile simple, clean, and crisp. All in all, a neutral wine.
Related: 17 Insider Secrets for Big Savings at Target
White: Wine Cube Pinot Grigio
$18 for a 3-liter box at Target Shop Now
Rating: 2 stars There is not a lot going on in this simple wine, which is virtually odorless and very light in flavor. Flavors of lemons, green apples, and tart pear are all clean and well-balanced. Each sip leaves the mouth fresh, especially when enjoyed very chilled.
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White: Wine Cube Chardonnay
$18 for a 3-liter box at Target Shop Now
Rating: 1 star Peachy aromas are delicate and fresh. The flavor is medium rich with strong notes of sea minerals and green apple skin. A hint of spice on the finish rounds out the flavor profile of this wine, which could be paired with dark leafy greens to temper the bitter undertones.
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White: California Roots Pinot Grigio
$5 at Target Shop Now
Rating: 1 star Aromas of white flowers and orange oil are subtle. The wine has a slight spritz to it, which lightens the otherwise heavy body. It almost seems to have a touch of sweetness, like overripe peach and pineapple. The finish is dry and slightly tangy. Looking to spend a bit more on a white? Be sure to check out 22 Good White Wines for $20 or Less.
Rosé: Grenache Rosé
$10 at Walmart Shop Now
Rating: 3 out of 3 stars A medium pink salmon color, this wine shows aromas of minerals, light red fruits, and citrus. Soft and flavorful in the mouth, the fruit is ripe and juicy with plenty of strong minerality and chalkiness for balance. A traditional and tasty rosé.
Rosé: California Roots Rosé
$5 at Target Shop Now
Rating: 2.5 stars Copper tones lend a nice shimmer to this salmon-colored wine. Flavors are reminiscent of a bowl of freshly picked strawberries, white raspberries, and cream. This fruit-forward wine is juicy and ripe with a clean finish.
Related: Why Americans Drink More Wine Than Any Other Country
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Rosé: Yes Way Rosé
$14 at Target Shop Now
Rating: 1.5 stars This rosé is very pale pink in the glass. In the mouth, the flavors are light and subtle, with gentle notes of berries, herbs, and lemon zest. This is a delicate wine that is light in all senses.
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Red: Italian Red Blend
$10 at Walmart Shop Now
Rating: 3 out of 3 stars The earthy aromas of this wine are more herbal than fruity. It’s quite tart; flavors of black currant and dried cherry are balanced by spice and suede-like tannins. Some dried-fruit flavors linger on the finish, adding layers of depth to each sip of this enjoyable wine.
Related: 40 Great-Tasting Red Wines Under $20
Red: Chianti Classico
$12 at Walmart Shop Now
Rating: 3 stars Rich aromas of chocolate, tobacco, and red fruit are layered. Classic flavors of cherries, smoke, and fine-grained tannins are well-balanced with bright, punchy acidity and a clean finish. This is a true example of Chianti.
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Red: Wine Cube Red Blend
$5 at Target Shop Now
Rating: 3 stars Subtle spice mixes with red fruit aromas on the nose. Medium rich and juicy, this red wine is very fruity, with plenty of cherry and berry flavors. A slightly leathery tannin balances the ripeness of the fruit for an easy-drinking wine.
Related: How to Spot a Good, Cheap Bottle of Wine
Red: Wine Cube Pinot Noir
$18 for a 3-liter box at Target Shop Now
Rating: 2.5 stars The light and fruity aromas of crushed red flowers, berries, and white button mushrooms are very typical for pinot noir. The flavors are similarly focused, balanced between earthy and berry, with a hint of candied citrus.
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Red: Cabernet Sauvignon
$12 at Walmart Shop Now
Rating: 2.5 stars The intense and typical aroma of baked earth and black fruits is seductive. The flavors are layered, showing both fresh and dried fruits and a hint of saltiness. The strong tannins leave the mouth leathery dry after each sip, and dried orange and raspberry notes linger.
Red: California Roots Cabernet Sauvignon
$5 at Target Shop Now
Rating: 2.5 stars Light aromas are almost creamy with red fruit preserves. Soft and velvety on the palate, this wine brings a big burst of ripe bing cherries with earthy overtones. The flavors are long-lasting and the finish is slightly floral.
Red: Syrah Pays d’Oc
$10 at Walmart Shop Now
Rating: 2.5 stars Rich and toasty aromas are strong. This velvety soft, full-flavored wine is rich with ripe blackberries and deep spice flavors. Firm tannins leave the mouth feeling dry after each sip, with a subtle, lingering berry note.
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Red: California Roots Red Blend
$5 at Target Shop Now
Rating: 2.5 stars Dark fruit aromas are mixed with earthy notes. Supple and velvety, this smooth and round red wine coats the mouth with red and black fruit flavors. A subtle spice lingers on the finish for just a hint of complexity.
Red: Sangiovese Sanguis Jovis
$10 at Walmart Shop Now
Rating: 2 stars Traditional aromas of earth and spice are medium pungent. Flavors of sour cherry and pomegranate are on the tart side and very typical of Italian sangiovese. Without much complexity, this wine is enjoyable and well-balanced.
Red: Chianti Riserva
$13 at Walmart Shop Now
Rating: 2 stars Only subtle hints of aroma come through. The flavors in the mouth are full of spice and dried red fruit leather. Dusty tannins leave a smooth and dry finish peppered with baking spices that fade quickly.
Related: 40 Great-Tasting Red Wines Under $20
Red: Grenache Minervois Languedoc
$10 at Walmart Shop Now
Rating: 2 stars Aromas are a bit overwhelmed by subtle sulfur. Soft and juicy fruit is light in the mouth, with flavors of rich baking spices and dried citrus peel. A hint of earthy bitterness on the finish is not unpleasant and would work well with food.
Red: Wine Cube Cabernet Sauvignon
$18 for a 3-liter box at Target Shop Now
Rating: 2 stars Plums, black cherries, and other dark fruits make for ripe and juicy aromas. The flavors are powerful and bold with cinnamon spice, woodsy undertones, and red berries. The finish is short, dry, and clean, and the tannins leave a bit of dusty dryness that lingers.
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Red: Wine Cube Dark Red Blend
$18 for a 3-liter box at Target Shop Now
Rating: 2 stars Rich, red fruit aromas are ripe and inviting. Bright red raspberries and dark cherry flavors are tart and juicy. The flavors are simple and well-balanced. The finish is very short and dry.
Sparkling: Sparkling Rosé
$12 at Walmart Shop Now
Rating: 3 out of 3 stars Gentle fruit aromas are pleasant. Piquant bubbles and mild berry flavors mix with hints of toasted bread to create an elegant profile. This is an all-purpose wine for any occasion.
Sparkling: Bravino Prosecco
$10 at Target Shop Now
Rating: 2 stars Fruit notes of apples, pears, and citrus dominate the flavor. Snappy bubbles keep things light while the rich and ripe fruit is almost sweet.
Sparkling: Bravino Sparkling Rosé
$10 at Target Shop Now
Rating: 1.5 stars Flavors of crushed raspberries are both fresh and cooked, lending some complexity to this wine. Dried orange flavors turn slightly metallic in the mouth. The finish is dry.
In search of more sparkling options? Take a look at 20 Toast-Worthy Sparkling Wines for $20 or Less.
And the Winners Are …
Best White: California Roots Chardonnay ($5 at Target)
Best Rosé: Grenache Rosé ($10 at Walmart)
Best Red: Italian Red Blend ($10 at Walmart)
Best Sparkling: Sparkling Rosé ($12 at Walmart)
