If the gang on Friends spent their time hanging around Central Perk, and the How I Met Your Mother crew preferred to chug beers in an Irish pub, no TV posse was quite as hilarious as the suburban 40-something heroines of Cougar Town (with Courtney Cox as Jules Cobb, a recently-divorced single mom trying to handle both dating and aging). Their hangout place was their living room, her friends were her neighbors, and their poison of choice was, well, wine. The running joke in Cougar Town always involved a glass of grocery-bought Merlot — they often drank it in the morning, without shame, and sometimes while playing ridiculous games — because what else would a group of friends well past their 30s rather be doing anyway?
But today, the wine-drinking market is even younger. According to reports by the Wine Market Council, millennials in the United States consume 42 percent of the total wine purchased in the country. That’s, like, almost half. And this is a trend that’s evident here as well: I’ve run across cafés or BBQ shops serving wine-all-you-can. And I have to admit that I am participating in this revolution (I mean, here I am writing about it). I’ve traded in the beer and the shots for the vino, and beg my friends to trade in the clubbing for game nights at the house. When I scroll through social media, I tend to see more women decorating their cheese platters instead of ordering in pizza.
So, ladies and gentlemen: the demand is real. Millennials love to whine, and they love their wine. Through trial and error, I’ve come to savor and select a few of my favorites. I have now shifted from reds to whites (I learned splitting headaches come from the tannins in red wine) — and I also think a bottle beyond P500 is unnecessary. There are so many affordable wines that are readily available in the grocery, and you don’t need a sommelier to tell you what’s good. Here are five of my favorite bottles that fall below the P500 mark. My taste is inclined to something a little bit sweet, though — so maybe take this recommendation list with a grain of salt.
Hardy’s Moscato (P320)
Every wine newbie starts with moscato: it’s too sweet and too friendly. While many grocery chains carry a decent moscato, the Hardy’s offering is one that doesn’t taste too much like boxed juice.
South South West’s Rosé (P330)
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills are obsessed with their rosé. The bright pink hooch is definitely pretty to look at, but I was never a believer until the South South West (SSW) natural sweet rosé. Don’t let the “sweet” part fool you — it’s not, really; instead you get a delicate fruity flavor.
Elysée’s Brut (P450)
I love bubbly — but champagne is expensive. When I discovered this Elysée Brut, though, I was in love. Brut, or sparkling white wine, is everything a girl could dream of: crisp, light, refreshing, and tangy.
Montgras’ Sauvignon Blanc (P410)
The problem with cheap white wine is that sometimes it is bordering on vinegar. Some bottles are dry beyond reason or so tart you’re sure there’s something wrong — but the Montgras Sauvignon Blanc is smooth when it goes down, and is probably my favorite bottle of white wine to date.
Jacob’s Creek Cabernet Sauvignon (P495)
Now, it’s hard for me to choose a red. Normally I would go for a shiraz. But this newly discovered Jacob’s Creek is a decent red if you’re feeling “extra.” Its price point is close to the P500 mark, but worth every penny if you’re feeling classy. Or having a good slab of steak.