As a person who has embraced the ‘wine mom culture’, I know all too well the feeling of sheer disappointment of finding your favorite bottle of wine empty on the days that you need it most (AKA every day, 5 pm). I also understand that heart sinking feeling when checking your bank account statement and being reminded that you are, in fact, a broke college student. Put the two situations together and it’s enough to make a person cry and, even worse, switch to *gulp* cheap beer. Well, have no fear fellow wine moms of Boston College, for I have taken it upon myself to walk the length of the Res’ wine aisle and bring you the best of the best wine brands under $12! (21+ only, ladies!)
For the health-conscious: ERA ($11)
ERA is an Italian, organic brand of wine whose vineyards are committed to producing superior grape vines without using any pesticides, chemical substances, or manufactured fertilizer. All grapes are planted, pruned, and picked by hand – no machinery involved. In addition, zero sugars or sulfites are added to the finished product. Basically, you’re drinking wine the way the Ancient Romans drank it!
For the girl who #tbt’s an Australian study abroad picture Every. Single. Thursday. : Yellow Tail ($6.99)
If you couldn’t tell by its logo, Yellow Tail is an Australian brand of wine. While many things may be backwards, unpredictable, or trying to kill you ‘down under,’ (there are way too many scarring Buzzfeed articles about the latter subject) Yellow Tail is none of the above. I’ve tried many of their different reds and whites and I can’t complain about any of them. The clear winner of them all, in my opinion, is their Cabernet Sauvignon – not too sweet, not too dry, and makes a solid base for a sangria.
For a North End date: Podere Brizio ($11.99)
Podere Brizio is great wine from a great Italian vineyard. Even though a bottle is about the same price for just one glass of wine at most restaurants, no one will even know you spent less than $12 on it. The reds pair perfectly with both meats and pasta entrees, so it’s literally a win-win situation.
For Girls Night Out (or In): Little Black Dress ($11.99)
The name is fun, the wine is good (especially the Moscato), and having a bottle of these bad boys is way less basic than having a bottle of Barefoot anything.
For the Costco enthusiast: Tisdale (2 for $10)
You like to buy in bulk, just in case the apocalypse comes early. Bottled water, canned food, non-perishables, and flashlights are all in the “End of the World” survival kit, but you may want to stock up on some of these Tisdales to complete your inventory. They may not be the best of the best cheap wines, but at a deal like this you can’t pass it up.
For the “domestic” roommate: Cupcake Wine ($10.99)
I feel like we all have that one roommate whose baking skills make up for all the times you and your other roommates set off the smoke detectors in your suite. Her cookies always have the right ratio of chocolate chips to dough, her cupcake frosting is always light and fluffy, and when October rolls around, she has every pumpkin spice recipe down pat. To celebrate this angel of a roommate (or to fill the lack of having a roommate with culinary skills), pour a glass bottle of Cupcake Wine. While super sweet and super affordable, drinkers be warned that the ease at which this wine goes down is directly correlated with how bad your hangover is in the morning.
For the poor souls who have to play catch-up before going to MA’s because you just came from night class: Franzia Shiraz ($10)
What college wine article wouldn’t be complete without mentioning our friend, Franzia? With 13% alcohol content (the highest I found in Res’ wine selection) and five liters of wine per box, you’ll be ready to stand in the Senior Night line without a jacket in the middle of December in no time.