While I *used* to buy wines in the $10. range, it almost impossible to find really good $10. bottles....that you would buy again.
I especially like the *Tohu* branded Chards and Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand. Consistently bright and slightly sweet. They are running between $12. and $14./bottle. [sometimes they are on *sale*].
If you have a hang-up about buying wines only from the USA...I’d suggest the selections from Washington state...especially Chateau Ste Michelle, Snoqualmie, or Columbia Crest. I’d put up Chateau Ste Michelle’s Rieslings against anything from Europe.
Check out the selections in your wine purveyor from Argentina and Chile.......often good buys and excellent full-bodied reds. I find once you find a brand you like from SA....you can’t find it again.....consistent stocks are hard to find, in some cases...I miss finding Argentine *Trumpter* reds, pinots.
The *BEST* wine I ever had was a Saint Clair from Marlborough NZ [’04 Sauv Blanc] ...IIRC, Wine Spectator rated it a 98 that year.
We make a run every month to *no-tax* NH for booze, cigs and fireworks....it’s what we do. :)
We should share a glass and talk. New Zealand whites and a BBQ...talk about a lost week-end! Thank God I’m not lactose intolerant and love sausage and very rare beef. The first BBQ I went to I was nearly falling down on the floor saying, “that’s really good punch.” They were all laughing at me- “idiot, it’s white wine with peach Schnapps.”