20 Wonderful Wines Under $18

Wine Spectator's Top 100 list was released on Monday, and lucky for us, there's quite a bit of thrill to be found in the bargain bin. The ranking is based partly on a 100-point grading system (just like in our school days) determined in a blind tasting, with only about two percent of wines earning 95 and above. (All of the 20 wines listed here earned at least a 90, making them A-students.) But the list also leaves room for the x-factor, explained Wine Spectator Executive Editor Tom Matthews. "It's not strictly about the numbers," he told Yahoo! Shine. Instead, the Top 100 is intended as a "conversation starter" about the "high points in the year and what got us excited," he said. The results are pretty thrilling, especially when a $9 Chianti outranks a $125 Barolo. If nothing else, use the list as a jumping off point to discover new wines and get out of your wine-drinking comfort zone. "Don't be afraid to explore," encouraged Tom, and at these prices we should be able to have fun doing it. "The pleasure is what it's all about in the end," he said. Cheers to that. --by Sarah McColl, Shine staff

Gallery View:20 Wonderful Wines Under $18
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  1. #87 90 Points Concha y Toro Chardonnay Limarí Valley Marqués de Casa Concha 2010 $18
  2. #73 90 Points Bodegas Valdemar Rioja White Conde de Valdemar Finca Alto Cantabria 2011 $15
  3. #66 90 Points Marchesi di Barolo Barbera del Monferrato Maràia 2011 $12
  4. #64 90 Points Domaine Lafond Tavel Roc-Epine 2011 $17
  5. #56 91 Points Pewsey ValeRiesling Eden Valley Dry 2011, $18
  6. #55 91 Points Jean Perrier & Fils Savoie Apremont Cuvée Gastronomie 2011, $17
  7. #54 90 Points Bodegas Atalaya Almansa La Atalaya 2009, $16
  8. #53 92 Points Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011 , $20
  9. #52 90 Points Cavit Vigneti delle Dolomiti Red Alta Luna Phases 2009, $14
  10. #51 90 Points Bodega Norton Malbec Mendoza Reserva 2010 , $18
  11. #48 92 Points Guy Saget Vouvray Marie de Beauregard 2010 , $20
  12. #46 90 Points Roberto Anselmi Veneto White San Vincenzo 2010 $13
  13. #45 90 Points Georges Vigouroux Malbec Cahors Pigmentum 2010 $12
  14. #43 91 Points Château de la Greffière Mâcon-La Roche Vineuse Vieilles Vignes 2010 $18
  15. #42 90 Points Charles & Charles Rosé $11
  16. #41 90 Points Folonari Chianti 2010 $9
  17. 38 90 Points M. ChapoutierCôtes du Roussillon-Villages Les Vignes de Bila-Haut 2010 $13
  18. #36 93 Points Domaine de l’Olivette Bandol 2008 $17
  19. #35 92 Points Romero & Miller Rioja Rentas de Fincas $18
  20. #33 91 Points Can Blau Montsant Blau 2009 $12